Women's Health

Omega 3 While Trying To Conceive

Q: I have been diagnosed with clinical depression. After trying numerous anti depressants since my teens on and off I decided to come off them while trying to conceive baby no 2. I am currently taking...
A:

Thank you for that great question.  Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation is a critical part of pre-natal care that is often overlooked.  A child's developing... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 7/14/2008
Category: Women's Health

Herbal Happy Camper

Q: I just purchase the herbal happy capper for my husband and I. He is on blood pressure medcine and I am on anti depresents is there any side effects mixing them?
A:

Although some herbal supplements can be potentially harmful when combined with medications like high blood pressure and depression medication the Happy Camper product does... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 7/14/2008
Category: Women's Health

Progesterone

Q:

Dear Dr. Passero: Since some months ago I have been haveing problems with my period. I started bleeding heavely and my period lasts for 13 days. I went to the doctor and he...

A:

Often times in cases where women have prolonged bleeding it is an issue with low progesterone, that is why your doctor prescribed the 10 day course of it..... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 7/3/2008
Category: Women's Health

Holy Basil With Thyroid Medication?

Q: I am on a thyroid medication a T3 T4 compound can I take holy basil with it? I heard it is wonderful for stress, but was concerned because I have read that it does affect the endocrine...
A: Holy basil is an herb that falls under the category of an "adaptogen". This family of herbs gets it name from it ability to help the body "adapt" to changes and stress. Other members of this family... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 5/16/2008
Category: Women's Health

Happy Camper Reaction With Birth Control

Q: I recently bought Happy Camper from NutraSanus, I need to make sure that the ingredients will not cancel out my birth control pills. Im taking Microgestin FE/120. Please help!
A: Currently there is not a lot of data regarding how certain herbs interact with oral birth control pills.  The only documented herbs that are known to potentially decrease the effectivness of... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 5/8/2008
Category: Women's Health

Bulimia

Q: Hi Dr. I suffer from bulimia. I purge at least once a day. It use to be more. I have A Typical Depression. This is a specific type of depression that I research and is 100% me. I use to take...
A:

Bulimia and all eating disorders are a very serious situation.  They inflict a large amount of stress on the body and can cause long term damage if severe... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 5/2/2008
Category: Women's Health

Herbs And Birth Control Pills

Q: Will taking dandelion root pill or tea make my birth control pills less effective?
A:

Although dandelion root is thought to support liver detoxification processes there is no current research indicating that it can change the way your body... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 3/17/2008
Category: Women's Health

Wild Yam

Q: I started taking Wild Yam pills for various reasons. I have heard this can make your breast size increase is this true? My mother uses wild yam cream and she says her breast size never changed but...
A:

Wild Yam can be helpful for balancing certain issues related to female hormones.  It is thought to do this by gently stimulating certain receptors on cells that are... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 2/28/2008
Category: Women's Health

How Can I Increase Breast Milk Production?

Q: I have heard that fenugreek can increase your production of breast milk is this true? If not is there anything I could take to increase my supply?
A:

It is true that many women report that fenugreek can help improve breast milk production.  Fennel is another herb widely thought to increase breast milk production.  The... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 2/16/2008
Category: Women's Health

Pcos & Evening Primrose Oil

Q: Hi there. Ive recently started taking some evening primrose oil pills to help with a skin condition. I was just wondering, is there any chance these could be reacting with my PCOS pill...
A:

I do not foresee any potential interactions between the Evening Primrose Oil and your Metformin.  There is nothing in the literature to suggest that this is a... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 2/16/2008
Category: Women's Health

Tension Headaches During Pregnancy

Q: Hi, Im in the twenty second week of pregnancy, and suffer from terrible tension headaches. I have been prescribed by my docter paracodal tablets which dont seem to be having any effect. Could you...
A: Dear Jodi,

Due to the fact that you are pregnant, the list of herbal supplements that are safe for you to use is very limited.  However, there are some items that may be able to... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 2/5/2008
Category: Women's Health

Frequent Urination

Q: In the hope of having a baby I take prenatal vitamins daily. Could this cause excessive urination?
A:

Most prenatal vitamins contain ingredients similar to a regular multivitamin with the addition of some extra folic acid, iron and possibly DHA.  There are no... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 1/28/2008
Category: Women's Health

No Sex Drive

Q: Dear Doctor I am a 48 year old female with normal thyroid levels and no indication of menopause yet. I have absolutely no sex drive. Ive been like this for about 5 years. The only factor I can...
A:

One of the most common side effects of antidepressant and antianxiety medications is loss of libido.  Although it sounds like you have decreased... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 1/28/2008
Category: Women's Health

B100 While Nursing?

Q: Dr. Passero, I am nursing a 9 month old baby boy and was told by a friend that B100 is an excellent vitamin to be on to regulate low levels of anxiety. Should I take it while Im nursing? Thank...
A:

High potency B complex vitamins are generally recognized as safe in breastfeeding.  However, there is no telling how your baby will react to... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 12/17/2007
Category: Women's Health

Evening Primrose Oil

Q:

Hello Doctor, My husband and I are trying to conceive but still no luck for us.  I am not sure whether this is relevant......my husband once took...

A:

Conception has so many complex factors involved.  Many men take Evening Primrose Oil for its wonderful health benefits, particularly for the... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 12/17/2007
Category: Women's Health

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Q: Dear Dr Passero I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and am 35 years old. I wish to know which of the Vitabase products are best for my condition? Should I take the Blood Sugar and PMS products? My...
A:

Most women with PCOS have difficulty with blood sugar issues.  High blood sugar is one of the main characteristics of PCOS and it is very... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 12/13/2007
Category: Women's Health

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Q: Can you explain what polycystic ovarian syndrome is?
A: Women who have irregular menstrual cycles or have trouble conceiving may have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), one of the leading causes of infertility in women. PCOS is a multifactorial condition... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. L. Sorensen
Date: 12/6/2007
Category: Women's Health

Evening Primrose For Menopause

Q: I have heard that evening primrose oil can really help with menopausal symptoms. How much would you recommend on a daily basis?
A:

What you have heard is true.  Evening Primrose Oil can be very helpful at alleviating many female hormonal complaints including PMS symptoms and some menopausal... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 11/28/2007
Category: Women's Health

Pcos

Q: Hi, My daughter has had pcos for a few years, she has tried bc pills, but still was lossing hair, is there a complelete multi vitimin to help with pcos symptoms.
A:

PCOS or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is characterized by several symptoms including insulin resistance, elevated testosterone levels and poly cystic ovaries.  The... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 10/11/2007
Category: Women's Health

Vaginal Dryness During Menopause

Q: This is very uncomfortable for me to discuss however, I really need some advice so here it is.... I am 49 yrs old I haven’t had a period in 5 years, I am now in a relationship and here lies the...
A:

I am assuming you are taking the Ursodiol tablets due to a diagnosis of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot know about why people get this condition. Some think it... Read_More »

Answered by: Dr. Kevin Passero
Date: 9/20/2007
Category: Women's Health