Do You Want to Talk About Sex?

If you are an average American woman, the answer is “No”.

Sexual dysfunction affects 45% of American women and worsens with age. Compare that to 30% of men. This is hard to believe with the plethora of media ads selling erectile dysfunction medications. (Usually, while my children are watching TV).

Here’s the Problem

There is no FDA approved medication for female sexual dysfunction in the United States. Given the multitude of health benefits, not only should there be medication, sex should be mandatory to lower the overall health risks of our nation!

Ok, sometimes I get a little overzealous but, seriously, think about this:

Benefits of Sex

·        Relieves stress

·        Lowers blood pressure

·        Improves depression

·        Excellent cardiovascular exercise

·        Twice or more a week reduces the risk of heart attack by half

·        Boosts self- esteem

·        Orgasm releases Oxytocin, the “love hormone”, which builds trust and promotes bonding with your partner. Oxytocin also promotes sleep and what middle aged woman doesn’t need that?

·        Releases Endorphins to naturally relieve pain

·        Strengthens pelvic floor muscles which minimize incontinence.

With all this great stuff, every woman in America should be as interested in sex as we are in going to the Gym or watching our Carbs. 

Unfortunately the female sexual response is so complex you could say we are engineered more like a Bugatti versus the man’s Kia. There is lack of interest, lack of arousal, inability to reach orgasm, pain, and desensitized sex organs.  These problems may stem from decreased levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, serotonin, and nitric oxide. Also, increased levels of inflammatory compounds such as cytokines and monoamine oxidase can destroy dopamine which is a pleasure enhancing compound in the brain.  The altered hormonal levels not only affect the brain but also change the anatomy of the vagina decreasing the pleasurable nerve response.

What Can Be Done

Bio-Identical Hormone replacement

 Every woman must make the decision that is best for them as to whether to replace lost hormones or not.  The biggest panic came in 2002 with the results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). The study showed an increased risk of Breast cancer of 24% at 5 years.  At the same time, they found 60% lower Coronary artery calcium in patients treated with Estrogen, 30% decreased hip fractures, 44% decreased colorectal cancer and a decreased rate of Diabetes. Since this time, a large French study used bio-identical hormones in a younger population and showed many benefits.  Hormones are replaced using bio-identicals which include Estradiol, Estriol, Progesterone, DHEA  and Testosterone.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone released in the brain in the posterior pituitary. It is released by both men and women during orgasm. Oxytocin is used in women who have difficulty reaching orgasm. It is supplied both intranasally and sublingual.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2mHO6QrKV0

“Is there a Viagra for Women?”

How many times have I heard that one?!  And the answer is Yes. It is used at a lower dose and, just as the above medications, it is not FDA approved for women.

Scream cream

No, I didn’t make that up.  That’s what the Compounding phamacists call a combination of medications that when applied to the clitoril area, increase blood supply and sensitivity. The actual ingredients vary from physician to physician.  Mine is top secret but you can make an appointment and find out.

Herbals and Supplements

Ginseng, Ginko, Damiana, L-Arginine, Tribulus Terrestrius, and White Peony have all been used to increase circulation and increase desire all with varying degrees of effectiveness.

 

G-spot Augmentation and Vaginoplasty

The G-spot or the Grafenberg spot named  for the German physician who discovered it, is the area of the vagina responsible for producing vaginal orgasms. If you are a woman who is already comfortable with her body, you may already know exactly where your G-spot is.

The G-Spot (4) is reportedly located one to three inches into the vagina, at the side of the urethra (6) and the urinary bladder (2).

 This area can be enlarged using dermal fillers or fat transfer for greater stimulation.

Vaginoplasty is a fancy name for tightening the vagina back to its more youthful state. The end goal is to create greater friction and sensation for both you and your partner. This is an outpatient procedure commonly done with a laser or radiofrequency modalities. It does require 6 weeks of pelvic rest to recover.

Anti-Aging and Longevity

Your overall sexual health is crucial for your overall health and aging process. In addition to all the above treatments, there is no replacement for a healthy diet full of nutrients and antioxidants, regular exercise, proper sleep and consistent stress reduction. All of these release serotonin which just plain makes you happy!

“Happy” and healthy are key goals at Terese S. Harris , M.D.

 For appointments, call today:

Terese S. Harris, M.D., FACOG

19671 Beach Blvd. #315

Huntington Beach, CA 92648

714-794-1818

                                                  http://www.tereseharrismd.com/

Why Exercise? I had Liposuction!

So you’re looking in the mirror this morning and thinking  “All I need is a little liposuction.”   Your friends tell you “Once you have had liposuction to your tummy, it never comes back there.”  Sounds great, right?

A recent study may leave you thinking more deeply about this. 

Dr. Fabiana Braga Benatti at the University of Sao Paulo looked at the effects of liposuction on body fat distribution and the effects of physical activity. He and his colleagues studied 36 healthy, normal weight women in a six month randomized controlled trial in Brazil. They all underwent small volume abdominal liposuction. Then, two months after the surgery, they were randomized to either the “trained” group or “nontrained”.  They looked at body fat distribution by CT scan before intervention, at 2 months and at 6 months after surgery.  The results showed that despite all of them maintaining the loss of subcutaneous fat, the non-trained group showed a significant 10% increase in visceral fat.  Their conclusion was that although the area of liposuction (subcutaneous fat) did not regrow, it did trigger a ”compensatory increase of visceral fat, which is effectively counteracted by physical activity.”

So who cares about visceral fat (the fat deep inside around your organs)?  I do and you should too!

Tracey McLaughlin and colleagues at the Stanford University School of Medicine studied the relationship of visceral adipose tissue versus subcutaneous adipose tissue in 115 healthy, yet overweight, adults.  CT scans were once again used to measure fat mass.  They separated them into two groups based on the results of an insulin suppression test which shows if someone is either insulin resistant or sensitive to insulin. This is another way of saying whether someone can use their insulin effectively to clear sugar from their body or they are unable to do that.

The results showed that the group that had insulin resistance had much greater visceral fat. So, although you don’t really want excess fat anywhere, visceral fat is bad. Visceral fat has been linked to increased risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and the need for gall bladder surgery. Losing this type of fat, which is very responsive to exercise, plays a large role in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

One other tidbit: Steen Pedersen at the Aarhus University in Denmark showed that normal estrogen levels shift the fat depot from intra-abdominal visceral fat to subcutaneous fat.  It can be deduced then that the loss of estrogen at the time of Peri-menopause and Menopause would cause a shift in the wrong direction toward more visceral fat.

The good news from Dr. Benatti in Brazil is that after you attain your gorgeous body from liposuction or liposculpture, make sure to start a significant and consistent exercise regimen to avoid the fat regain to the most unwanted area.  Along with Liposuction, I offer a nutritional assessment, hormonal assessment  and  bio-identical hormone replacement, exercise and diet recommendations for the ultimate results.

For information on a Wellness Consultation or to inquire about surgical procedures please contact:  Terese S. Harris, MD, 714-794-1818, or e-mail at www.tereseharrismd.com.

Dr. Terese Harris Opens Women's Health, Cosmetic Surgery & Wellness Practice in Huntington Beach, CA

Terese Harris MD, Gynecologist, is proud to announce her new practice in Orange County, CA, focusing on women’s wellness, & anti-aging. Dr. Harris addresses issues such as weight control, fatigue, menopause & libido. Liposuction is also available.

Terese S. Harris, M.D., FACOG, is pleased to announce the establishment of her new Practice in cooperation with the Accetta Institute of Cosmetic Surgery in Huntington Beach, California. Dr. Harris brings to the Orange County Medical community over 15 years experience in Women’s Health, having grown one of the largest General Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/Gyn) Practices in Northwest Tucson. She is very pleased to now be serving greater Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, and Seal Beach.

Dr. Harris is excited about her move to Orange County where she will be closer to family, and to bringing a more Integrative approach to women’s care. She will be combining her surgical expertise and Gynecological experience with a focus on Women’s Health Services, including:

• Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement.
• Stress, Energy and Adrenal Fatigue.
• Gynecological services including cancer prevention annual exams.
• Menopausal and Perimenopausal Management.
• Mid-Life Sexual Health.
• Weight Management.

While there are many self proclaimed “wellness experts,” Dr. Harris, in addition to her Board Certification in Gynecology, also has a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Functional Medicine which serves to advance her knowledge and experience.

Combining all of her background, experience and training, Dr. Harris wants each patient to know that “I see the patient as a whole, unique individual, who has an imprint with her own hormonal profile, as well as metabolic, exercise and nutritional needs.” Dr. Harris performs a thorough screening of all her wellness patients to include nutritional status, hormonal levels, toxin exposures, and more. With this, she develops a health and body structure plan for each woman which, according to Dr. Harris “ maximizes the body’s potential to produce a natural equilibrium, healthy body composition, sustained energy levels and healthy sexual function.” She adds “there are tons of advertised miracles out there, but there is no substitute for a woman who truly understands her body’s hormonal, nutritional and exercise needs in order to engineer, in partnership, true wellness.”

In addition, Dr. Harris is pleased to complement the Accetta Institute with her Cosmetic Gynecology surgical experience including:

• Vaginoplasty and Labiaplasty.
• G-Spot enhancement.
• Liposuction and Liposculpture.
• Full aesthetic spa.

For information on a Wellness Consultation or to inquire about surgical procedures please contact: Terese S. Harris, MD, 714-794-1818, or visit our website: http://www.TereseHarrisMD.com