The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health » (2nd Edition)

Dr. Karen J. Carlson is a pioneer in the field of primary care for women. More than fifteen years ago she founded Women's Health Associates at Massachusetts General Hospital and is currently Director of this innovative center, which has been widely emulated in other medical centers throughout the country.
Dr. Carlson is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of the
Center of Excellence in Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. Her research and academic publications focus on hysterectomy, ovarian cancer screening, and communication between doctors and patients. She lectures frequently to thousands of physicians in continuing education courses at Harvard and other major medical schools.

Dr. Stephanie A. Eisenstat is an internist with Women's Health Associates at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Scholar at The Academy, Harvard Medical School. She directs a course for physicians in training, Trauma and Injury Control, and is co-editor with Dr. Carlson of Primary Care of Women, one of the first medical textbooks devoted to the emerging specialty of women's primary care.

Terra Ziporyn, Ph.D. is a historian of science and medicine, a medical journalist, and a former associate editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The author of numerous books, including Nameless Diseases, she has written widely about topics in women's health, including heart disease, behavioral health, autoimmune disorders, and alternative medicine.

With the publication in 1996 of The Harvard Guide to Women's Health, women seeking answers to questions about their health had access to the combined expertise of physicians from three of the world's most prestigious medical institutions: Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. With complete information on women's health concerns, physical and behavioral, this A to Z reference quickly became a definitive resource, praised especially for its coverage of topics not previously considered under the umbrella of women's health. The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health reunites the authors to bring a valued health reference up to date for a new generation—and for those women who have come to rely on the Harvard Guide and are now wondering what to do about their health as they enter a new stage of life, asking questions like the following:

• I've been on hormone replacement therapy. Should I stop? How?



• Could this rash be lupus?



• I've been on the Pill. What is my risk for stroke?



• Fat is bad, fat is good: What should I believe? And what's left to eat?



• When does ordinary worry become chronic anxiety?



• What screening tests do I need now?

In addition to revised recommendations reflecting the current medical thinking on menopause and hormone replacement therapy, the New Harvard Guide includes

• updated recommendations about cardiac health and heart disease—the #1 killer of women in the United States



• entries reflecting recent advances in theunderstanding and treatment of autoimmune diseases



• better coverage of health concerns throughout a woman's life span, from her first period to menopause and beyond, with a new entry on perimenopause



• expanded nutritional recommendations, including a unique chart of the U.S. government's Daily Reference Intakes for micronutrients, broken down for teens and women whose needs may differ because they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postmenopausal



• updated information on over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, procedures, screenings, and diagnostic tests

New Living

The New Harvard Guide to Women's Health combines the expertise of physicians from three of the world's most prestigious medical institutions: Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. This A to Z reference book contains complete information on women's health concerns from physical to behavioral issues. Featuring over 300 entries, with helpful charts, illustrations, cross references to other sections, and a comprehensive Index at the back of the book, the subjects cover everything from common ailments and diseases to new and broader categories, such as body image, cosmetic surgery, domestic abuse and patients' rights.

Preface

Abdominal Pain

Abortion

Acne

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Adenomyosis

Adhesions

Airbags

Alcohol

Alpha-Fetoprotein Screening

Alternative Therapies

Alzheimer's Disease

Amenorrhea

Amniocentesis

Anemia

Anesthesia

Angina Pectoris

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Antianxiety Drugs

Antibiotics

Antidepressants

Antiinflammatory Drugs

Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome

Anxiety Disorders

Aortic Stenosis

Arrhythmia

Arthritis

Arthroplasty

Artificial Sweeteners

Asthma

Autoimmune Disorders

Back Pain

Bacterial Vaginosis

Biopsy

Birth Control

Blood Tests

Body Image

Body Odors

Bowel Disorders

Breast Cancer

Breast Implants and Enlargement

Breast Lumps (Benign)

Breast Pain

Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reduction

Breast Self-Examination

Breastfeeding

Breathing Disorders

Calcium

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Cataracts

Cervical Cancer and Dysplasia

Cesarean Section

Chancroid

Chemotherapy

Chest Pain

Childbirth

Chlamydia

Cholesterol

Chorionic Villi Sampling

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Circulatory Disorders

Coffee

Colds

Colon and Rectal Cancer

Colostomy

Colposcopy

Computerized Axial Tomography CT Scans

Condoms

Congestive Heart Failure

Constipation

Contact Lenses

Coronary Artery Disease

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Safety

Cosmetic Surgery

Cryosurgery

Cushing Syndrome

Cystocele, Urethrocele, and Rectocele

Dentures, Bridges, and Implants

Depression

Dermabrasion and Chemical Peels

Diabetes

Diaphragms, Cervical Caps, and Sponges

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

Dieting

Dilatation and Curettage

Disabilities

Dissociative Identify Disorder

Diuretics

Diverticular Disease

Domestic Abuse

Douching

Dry Eye

Eclampsia

Ectopic Pregnancy

Edema

Electrocautery

Electrosurgical Loop Excision

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometriosis

Epilepsy

Estrogen

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Exercise

Eye Care

Eyelid Surgery

Face Lifts

Fallopian Tube Cancer

Fatigue

Fibromyalgia

Foot Care

Galactorrhea

Gallstones

Genetic Counseling

Genital Warts

Glaucoma

Goiters and Thyroid Nodules

Gonorrhea

Gum Disease

Hair Care

Hair Dyes

Hair Loss

Hair Removal

Hay Fever and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Headaches

Heart Disease

Heartburn

Hemorrhoids

Hepatitis

Herpes

High Blood Pressure

Hirsutism

Hormonal Contraception

Hyperandrogenism

Hyperprolactinemia

Hyperthyroidism

Hypoglycemia

Hypothyroidism

Hysterectomy

Hysteroscopy

Immunizations

Incontinence

Infertility

Infrequent Periods

Insomnia

Interstitial Cystitis

Intrauterine Devices

Iron

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Kegel Exercises

Keloid Scarring

Kidney Disorders

Knee Pain

Laparoscopy

Laparotomy

Laser Surgery

Laxatives

Lipectomy and Liposuction

Liver Spots

Lubricants

Lumpectomy

Lung Cancer

Lupus

Lyme Disaese

Lymphedema

Macular Degeneration

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Mammography

Manic-Depressive Disorder

Mastectomy

Mastitis

Melanoma

Menarche

Menopause

Menorrhagia

Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual Cycle Disorders

Midwifery

Miscarriage

Mitral Valve Prolapse

Molar Pregnancy

Moles

Mononucleosis

Morning Sickness

Multiple Sclerosis

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Myasthenia Gravis

Myomectomy

Nail Care

Natural Birth Control Methods

Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

Nonsurgical Abortion

Nutrition

Obesity

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Occupational Hazards

Oral Contraceptives

Orthodontia

Osteoarthritis

Osteoporosis

Otoplasty

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cysts

Ovary Removal

Pain Management

Pain during Sexual Intercourse

Panic Disorder

Pap Test

Patients' Rights

Pelvic Examinations

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic Pain

Peptic Ulcer Disease

Perimenopause

Personality Disorders

Pesticides and Organic Foods

Phobias

Physical Examinations

Platelet Disorders

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyositis and Dermatomyositis

Polyps

Postpartum Issues

Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Preconception Counseling

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy

Pregnancy over Age 35

Pregnancy Testing

Premenstrual Syndrome

Prenatal Care

Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Prolapsed Uterus

Psychosomatic Disorders

Psychotherapy

Pubic Lice

Radiation Therapy

Raynaud's Phenomenon

Retinal Detachment

Retroverted Uterus

Rh Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rhinoplasty

Rosacea

Rubella

Safer Sex

Salpingectomy

Scabies

Schizophrenia

Scleroderma

Sclerotherapy

Scoliosis

Screening

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Sexual Abuse and Incest

Sexual Assault

Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual Harassment

Sexual Orientation

Sexual Response

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Shingles

Sjoegren Syndrome

Skin Care and Cosmetics

Skin Disorders

Sleep Disorders

Smoking

Social Anxiety Disorder

Spermicides

Sports Injuries

Stress

Stretchmarks

Stroke

Substance Abuse

Syphilis

Temporal Arteritis

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Tendinitis and Tenosynovitis

Testicular Feminization Syndrome

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Disorders

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Toxoplasmosis

Trichomonas

Tubal Ligation

Turner Syndrome

Ultrasound

Umbilical Hernia

Urethral Syndrome

Urinary Tract Infections

Urine Tests

Uterine Fibroids

Vacuum Aspiration

Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal Bleeding (Abnormal)

Vaginal Bleeding during Pregnancy

Vaginitis

Varicose Veins

Vitamins and Minerals

Vulvar Cancer

Vulvar Cysts

Vulvar Disorders

Vulvar Pain

Vulvitis

Weight Tables

Wrinkles

Yeast Infections

Zinc

For Further Information

Acknowledgments

Illustration Credits

Index