Specialties

Menopause, Peri-Menopause and Andropause

Menopause is a change which occurs in mid-life with the cessation of menstruation in a woman. The average time of this transition is between 48 and 52 years of age, although for many women this may occur earlier or later. However it is not a sudden change for most, with subtle changes beginning years earlier, for some women beginning in their 30’s. It is a natural and normal process, not a disease. Unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and irritation, mood swings and depression, difficulty concentrating, and mild short-term memory problems may start before the last period occurs. Women who are still cycling may experience irregular cycles, and increase in pre-menstrual bloating, breast tenderness, and irritability. Heavy bleeding may occur which can result in anemia. A peri-menopausal woman may have all, some, or none of these symptoms.

Hormone therapy (HT) became popular in the early 1970’s for the alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Premarin was the first commercially available estrogen. Women are often conflicted regarding whether to start or continue HT because of side effects and risks of the treatment itself. We can be a source for accurate information that can help you with this decision. There are a number of different types of delivery systems available for providing HT: pills, creams, patches, and vaginal products. There now are a wide variety of FDA approved “bio-identical hormone” products, that may be covered under your health insurance prescription plan. Compounded prescriptions may sometimes be an option for women who need dosage strengths not available commercially. Women who are still cycling, and also need reliable contraception may find symptom relief with hormonal contraception, like birth control pills. Still cycling women who don’t need contraception but are experiencing unpleasant pre-menstrual symptoms may initially only need supplemental progesterone for part of the month. Other options for symptom relief are medical hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal or soy products, and anti-depressants.

Symptoms of male testosterone insufficiency, or andropause, include decrease in sex drive, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, fatigue, and hypertension. Tests to exclude depression and other medical problems with similar symptoms are required before testosterone replacement is prescribed.

The decisions that one makes regarding what, if any, type of treatments to use must be based on individual symptoms, health, and family history. What is right for one person may not be right for another. Sometimes, lifestyle changes are all that is needed. Our goal is to work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

Medical Hypnosis

Definition of hypnosis: A state of mind and body characterized by relaxation, increased concentration and increased response to suggestion. – Charles B. Mutter M.D.

Hypnosis is a procedure that can be used as an adjunct to treatment of pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, habit disorders and many other medical problems. Medical hypnosis should be used only by properly trained and credentialed health care professionals who have also been trained in the clinical use of hypnosis. Dr. Brown has received training in hypnosis through the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is a member in good standing of that organization (http://www.asch.net/). She is also a member of the Chicago Society of Clinical Hypnosis (http://www.chisoclinhyp.org/).

Contrary to some depictions of hypnosis in books, movies or television, people who have been hypnotized do not lose control over their behavior. People respond to hypnosis in different ways, but they are not asleep. Hypnotic trance is an altered state of consciousness that most of us have experienced in our daily lives. Have you ever been focused mentally on a subject while driving home, so intently, that when you arrived home you wondered how you got there so quickly? Regardless of how and what degree people respond to hypnosis, most people say that they felt very calm and relaxed during the experience. Hypnosis sessions are only planned after discussion with the doctor, as part of medical treatment for a specific problem.