Hormonal Treatments Making a Comeback -- With a Twist

In the early 2000s, hormonal treatments for menopause fell out of favor, but they appear to be rebounding with a notable focus.

People think of hormonal treatments as replacing diminished levels of estrogen, but in premenopausal women, there's actually more testosterone than estrogen.

Like estrogen, testosterone levels fall over time, and after menopause, the lower levels contribute to a loss of bone density and energy. Some doctors are prescribing testosterone to treat these symptoms of menopause, though the FDA has not approved a product for this use, in large part because there isn't a lot of supporting research data yet.

Body of Knowledge

Hospitalized mental patients rarely complain of headaches.

Get Me That, Stat!

More than 90% of respondents in the largest-ever survey of trans people (92,000) who had received hormone treatments or gender-affirming surgery said they were more satisfied with their lives after care.

However, one-quarter of respondents said they didn't see a doctor when they needed to in the past year due to fear of mistreatment; one-quarter didn't see a doctor in the past year due to costs; and almost half of those who did see a health care provider in the past year reported having at least one negative experience, such as being misgendered, being refused care or having a provider who was verbally or physically rough or abusive.

Mark Your Calendar

April is awareness month for irritable bowel syndrome, autism, sarcoidosis, oral and testicular cancers, Parkinson's disease, sexually transmitted infections, organ donations, facial protection, alcohol, sexual assault and prevention, child abuse prevention and stress. April is a very stressful month.

Counts

300 -- Estimated number of COVID-19 vaccine-related false narratives and misinformation circulating on social media, emanating from 4,387 news sites and other sources

Source: NewsGuard

Stories for the Waiting Room

Perhaps not surprisingly, new and recent research indicates that in states where abortion is severely restricted, there is a decline in aspiring OB-GYN physicians. The number of overall applications to OB-GYN programs remained stable between 2022 and 2023, but states with abortion bans received fewer applications than those without them.

In 2023, about 82% of prospective OB-GYNs applied in programs with abortion bans, compared with 86% in 2022 and 88% in 2021. Almost 100% also applied to programs in states that protect abortion. Researchers say that if the trend continues, it may forecast potential OB-GYN shortages in some places in the future.

Doc Talk

Myasthenia -- an abnormal weakness in a muscle or group of muscles

Mania of the Week

Klazomania -- compulsive shouting. Otherwise known as KLAZOMANIA!

Never Say 'Diet'

The Major League Eating record for raw onions is 8.5 ounces (three whole Maui onions) in 1 minute, held by Eric Booker, who won going away because no one wanted to stick around afterward.

Best Medicine

Doctors say that 90 to 110 million people in the U.S. are overweight. These are, of course, round figures.

Observation

"My friends tell me I have an intimacy problem, but they really don't know me." -- Comedian Garry Shandling (1949-2016)

Medical History

This week in 1969, Dr. Denton Cooley implanted a total artificial heart into a 2-month-old patient. Three days later, the patient received a heart transplant, but the patient died of respiratory insufficiency 14 hours later.

Perishable Publications

Many, if not most, published research papers have titles that defy comprehension. They use specialized jargon, complex words and opaque phrases like "nonlinear dynamics." Sometimes they don't, and yet they're still hard to figure out. Here's an actual title of actual published research study: "Wax on, wax off: pubic hair grooming and potential complications."

For more details, see the February 2014 issue of JAMA Dermatology.

Sum Body

We know we should keep our consumption of fast food to a minimum (or not at all) but the industry works hard to keep their offerings in mind, churning out new, catchy slogans almost as fast as those hamburgers, fries, pizzas and burritos.

Can you match these erstwhile slogans with their food makers?

1. Where's Herb?

2. What You Want is What You Get

3. What a Sandwich

4. Avoid the Noid

5. Buy 'Em by the Sack

Answers: 1. Burger King (1980s). 2. McDonald's (1990s). 3. Subway (1990s). 4. Domino's Pizza (1980-90s). 5. White Castle (1920s).

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To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.