Making important transitions in life can be challenging, but Ahwatukee Foothills resident Merry Randolph is committed to making the transition easier for women from the outside in.

To understand any of this, you need to understand what I look like pregnant. Not that I’m pregnant at this moment. At this moment I just look like...

The transition to menopause can be an unpredictable and uncomfortable time in a woman’s life.

Did you know that every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you think breast cancer affects women only? Think again. Men are not exempt from breast cancer. Many breast cancers are fueled by estrogen, a hormone produced in fat tissue. Although there are numerous reasons why women predominantly experience estrogen dominance (use of birth control, menopause and pregnancy), both men and women are increasingly affected by estrogen dominance.

More than 300 million people worldwide experience severe or debilitating headaches. Migraines alone affect 9 percent of the U.S. population and cost $1 billion a year in direct medical expenses. The incidence of individuals who suffer migraine headaches has increased by 50 percent within the last 20 years with 75 percent of migraine sufferers being women.

September is National Menopause Awareness Month

Ever meandered through the pharmacy aisles of Whole Foods, Sprouts, or even Trader Joe’s and wished you knew more about the various supplements and which ones could possibly benefit you? Herbal/dietary supplements (also called botanicals) are plants used for their therapeutic properties, and the roots of herbalism go back to the beginning of humanity. The following list contains some of the more popular herbs that are generally accepted to have psychoactive and/or medicinal properties with positive effects in humans:

MomDoc Midwives is a fully integrated OB/GYN practice with Dr. Grayson Guzman and four supporting midwives that will provide an alternative to the typical care offered to childbearing women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Guzman, Emily Rose, CNM; Melissa Troncale, CNM; Alexis Gee, CNM; and Kimberly Swift, CNM provide personalized and comprehensive care for women and their families. Services include care to women during pregnancy and birth, primary care to women, well-woman care related to reproductive health, annual gynecological exams, family planning, and menopausal care.

MomDoc Midwives is a fully integrated OB/GYN practice with Dr. Grayson Guzman and four supporting midwives that will provide an alternative to the typical care offered to childbearing women during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. Guzman, Emily Rose, CNM; Melissa Troncale, CNM; Alexis Gee, CNM; and Kimberly Swift, CNM provide personalized and comprehensive care for women and their families. Services include care to women during pregnancy and birth, primary care to women, well-woman care related to reproductive health, annual gynecological exams, family planning, and menopausal care.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The top risk factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and smoking, are poorly treated, oftentimes with pharmaceutical drugs. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the No. 1 cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. The top risk factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, obesity and smoking, are poorly treated, oftentimes with pharmaceutical drugs. 

One in four American women are on prescription drugs for stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

One in four American women are on prescription drugs for stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

MEDICAL ADVICE

MEDICAL ADVICE

Editor's note: This is the second part of a two-part column on blood clots. The first was published in the May 4 AFN.

Editor's note: This is the second part of a two-part column on blood clots. The first was published in the May 4 AFN.

Editor's note: This is the second part of a two-part column on blood clots. The first was published in the May 4 AFN.

Editor's note: Part two will appear on Wednesday, May 11.

Editor's note: Part two will appear on Wednesday, May 11.

Editor's note: Part two will appear on Wednesday, May 11.

Before 1980 growth hormone was a purified extract of dead peoples' pituitary glands. After 1985, technology allowed an unlimited supply of growth hormone as a bio-synthetic preparation. The use of growth hormone has expanded from those children with absent growth hormone to a variety of other conditions. These include short kids with kidney disease, girls with Turner syndrome and adults with severe growth hormone deficiency.

What causes heart disease? A healthy heart is a cornerstone of health, well being, physical ability and longevity. There are many risk factors we're aware of that we can control, such as smoking, lack of exercise, obesity, Type II diabetes, stress and poor diet. Manufactured foods promote systemic inflammation. Food items such as white flour, hydrogenated oil and trans fats, margarine, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, flavors or coloring are poisonous to your heart and overall health.