Woman accused of illegally importing bear bile (AP)

Fri Mar 27, 7:57 pm ET LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors in California have charged a South Korean national with illegally importing almost a kilogram of bear bile to sell as an aphrodisiac. The U.S. attorney's office said Seongja Hyun (SONG-ja Hun) was charged Friday with the illegal importation of wildlife under the federal Endangered Species Act. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Investigators discovered a package at a San Francisco postal facility sent to Hyun that contained four bags of a substance believed to be bear bile. Authorities say Hyun told them she had been selling bear bile harvested in China to treat ailments. They say a search of her apartment also turned up more bile, vials and packaging. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney.
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Circumcision reduces risk of venereal disease (AFP)

Wed Mar 25, 5:11 pm ET WASHINGTON (AFP) – Men who have been circumcised have a significantly reduced risk of contracting genital herpes or papillomavirus infections, data published Wednesday show. The results confirm the benefits of medically supervised male circumcision that were previously observed in the case of the AIDS virus. Two clinical trials carried out in Uganda with 3,393 heterosexual men aged 15 to 49 both showed a 35 percent drop in the rate of papillomavirus infections, which are responsible for 70 percent of cases of uterine cancer. With herpes, the data showed a 28 percent drop in the rate of infection among men who had been circumcised, according to the report in the New England Journal of Medicine. But circumcision had no effect on the incidence of syphilis, the authors of the study said. "These new data should prompt a major reassessment of the role of male circumcision not only in HIV prevention but also in the prevention of other sexually transmitted infections," Matthew Golden and Judith Wasserheit wrote in an accompanying editorial. The study was conducted by scientists at the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Uganda in collaboration with researchers from Johns Hopkins, Makerere University in Uganda, and the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID). "The cumulative scientific evidence supporting the public health value of medically supervised male circumcision is now overwhelming," said Thomas Quinn, a co-author of the study. "This new research confirms the substantial health benefits of male circumcision, including reduced acquisition of HIV, genital herpes, HPV and genital ulcer disease," he said. Previous clinical trials funded by NIAID found that adult male circumcision reduced the risk of HIV infection by more than 50 percent among heterosexuals.
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Men's Sex Lives May Suffer as Waistlines Expand (HealthDay)

TUESDAY, March 3 (HealthDay News) -- The more obese a man, the greater his hormonal changes and the worse his sex life, a new study finds. On the up side, the study's authors found that gastric bypass surgery can help reverse those ills. "Previous studies have found that obesity is correlated to lower sperm count and can be associated with infertility, but we wanted to know if obesity was biologically associated with an unsatisfying sex life, and if so, could it be reversible," the study's lead author, Dr. Ahmad Hammoud, of the University of Utah, said in an Endocrine Society news release. "Our results show that the answer to both questions may be yes." The researchers checked the weight, body mass index (BMI) and reproductive hormone levels of 64 obese men at the start of the study and again two years later, after some of them had what's known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. The participants also filled out questionnaires about the quality of their lives. "In our study population, we found that lower testosterone levels and diminished ratings for sexual quality of life were correlated with increased BMI," Hammoud said. "Subjects who lost weight through bariatric surgery experienced a reduction in estradiol [hormone] levels, an increase in testosterone levels and an increase in ratings of sexual quality of life." The study will appear in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The findings highlight a link between sexual quality of life and hormonal measures independent from weight, Hammoud said. He added that further studies are needed to determine a cause-and-effect relationship. More information The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases outlines the health risks of being overweight.
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Better drugs encouraging AIDS complacency: Nobel doctor (AFP)

NEW DELHI (AFP) – People are forgetting to practise safe sex because they no longer fear dying from HIV/AIDS, says the doctor who won the Nobel prize for helping discover the virus. Treatment advances mean "some people in my country, France, and other Western countries have become complacent -- they see HIV/AIDS as a chronic disease -- not as one that can kill," virologist Francoise Barre-Sinoussi said. The doctor shared the Nobel Prize last year with fellow French virologist Dr Luc Montagnier for their discovery in 1981 of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Barre-Sinoussi noted there has been a huge leap forward in treatments for HIV/AIDS with a cocktail of drugs that reduces the level of virus in the body and likewise lowers the risk of passing on the pathogen to others. But she told AFP she worried that people's confidence in retroviral drugs had created a false sense of security, leading to an increase in unprotected sex. Speaking on the sidelines of a medical conference last week organised by French charity Fondation Merieux in New Delhi, she noted a "frightening" rate of new male-to-male infection in some Western countries such as France. "We should tell the truth about HIV/AIDS -- that new treatments can be very effective, helping them live years longer," said Barre-Sinoussi. But she added that HIV/AIDS patients are prone to other illnesses, especially cancers. They can also be resistant to the life-saving drugs, creating "major complications." Between 2001 and 2006, male-to-male sex was the largest HIV transmission category in the United States and the only one associated with an increasing number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 56,300 people were infected with HIV in the United States in 2006, according to the organisation, with gay and bisexual men accounting for about half of all new infections. In the United States and all around the world, fears of being stigmatised discourage people from being tested, non-governmental bodies say. In the 1980s in the West gay leaders, dismayed by the deaths of so many from the virus, mounted an aggressive grassroots movement that triggered government action and prevention campaigns among the homosexual community. HIV infections among gay and bisexual men fell dramatically for a decade but rates have been rising again since the mid-1990s. The virus is also having a disproportionate effect on men who have sex with men in nations where the epidemic is just getting a foothold. Professor Mark Wainberg, head of Montreal's McGill University AIDS Centre, echoed Barre-Sinoussi's concerns. With the advances in treatment "the voices that spoke for safe sex are often silent," he told AFP at the same New Delhi conference. "People are saying 'look how well the drugs work -- they work for a long time.'" The public needs to understand the drugs themselves can be toxic and statistics are showing alarming rates of cancer in HIV-affected people, he added. "The data from our studies indicate the average age of people getting HIV/AIDS is 35 -- these are mature individuals, not kids," he said. "Some people are throwing caution to the wind." Around the world, about 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and two million die each year. It has killed at least 25 million. At the same time, Barre-Sinoussi said she was optimistic researchers would find an AIDS vaccine despite many major research setbacks. "We really have to go back to very basic science and think differently... think out of the box," she said.
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Mammograms Are No Joke - They Can Save Lives

By: Lynn Roodbol

There are so many jokes about mammograms! Have you heard the one about the fridge door ... or the bookends ... or the garage floor? Thanks to all the jokes, "Mammogram" has become a household word, and it's not that I don't have a sense of humor, but as a mammography technologist, I've heard the jokes many times. I think the jokes are embarrassing for women and demeaning with regard to their physical bodies. Many women say, "If men had to do this, there would be a better solution" - this may or may not be true. Most people agree that mammograms are not perfect, but until there is a better solution, I think it's time to look at mammograms in a different light.

In May of 1985 and 1986 I asked my doctor to order a mammogram for me and he refused both times saying I was too young. There were no screening mammography centers to which I could refer myself, so that was that. In December of 1986 at the age of 42 I felt a lump in my breast and had a mammogram the same day. It turned out to be Stage II breast cancer with 4 positive lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy, a mastectomy and chemotherapy but chose not to have radiation. I obviously wasn't too young to have cancer.

In May 1985 a mammogram cost less than $60.00 and would have resulted in my having minor surgery to deal with a small lump. Delaying the diagnosis until December 1986 raised the cost of the medical care I received both in dollars and the amount of human suffering we faced. I say "we" because a diagnosis of cancer affects the family, friends and community of the person with the disease. A timely mammogram would have saved us all a lot of grief.

The common perception is that having a mammogram is a negative experience; I think this is a bad rap. Mammograms are quick and easy breast X-Rays; which usually means two views of each breast - one from the top and one from the side. They are performed by friendly, knowledgeable technologists who do their best to help women feel at ease. The technologists' goal is to get the best films possible and also to make the experience as quick and painless as possible.

When people go for a mammogram the most important thing to know is that relaxation of the upper body is the key to a positive experience. I know it's hard to relax when you're apprehensive, but this is why I believe we need to lessen the public apprehension of this test. It is easy to relax by taking some deep breaths before you have the test. By relaxing your muscles you will be much more comfortable through the test than if you are tense. An added bonus is that the films will be of higher quality, as it is easier to image the back of the breast close to the chest wall if the pectoralis muscles are relaxed. When it's done, you may hear yourself saying, "That wasn't bad at all!"

Some women are embarrassed to have a mammogram because they don't want anyone other than their partner to see and touch their breasts. The mammogram jokes add to their fear of pain and embarrassment making it harder for them to manage, and I know of some women who avoid having a mammogram for this reason. The test is done in privacy; no one but a female technologist will be present. Technologists, for the most part, are sensitive people who will do the test as quickly and professionally as they can. Many women who have resisted the test for a long time are amazed at how simple and painless it can be.

Mammograms include compression of the breast with a plastic plate to produce a high quality image with the least amount of radiation. Breast compression is meant to be tight, but it should not be painful and it only lasts for a few seconds. If you think about looking at a bunch of grapes - it's hard to see them all from one spot. If you spread the grapes out, you can see more grapes. Similarly with the use of compression, more breast tissue is visible when the breast is spread out. With a flatter, thinner layer of tissue the amount of radiation required is less than if the breast is not compressed. The amount of radiation you get is as low as can be achieved if adequate compression is used, and also if good quality control is maintained at the mammogram facility.

In the U.S.A. the cost of a mammogram runs between $50 and $150.00. There is financial help available from insurance companies, state and local programs, and from some employers. Please do not let the cost deter you from having a mammogram as the cost of not having a mammogram can be much higher both financially and emotionally. Check for information on the internet.

In most places in Canada, women can book their own appointment for a free screening mammogram; a doctor's referral is not required. In places without a screening program, mammography is available with a doctor's referral and is covered by health insurance. Approximately 7% of women will be asked to have further testing. Most of the time, follow up testing involves an additional mammogram with a different view to separate the breast tissue in a particular area to get a better image. In my analogy of the bunch of grapes, it's like having a few grapes on top of each other and separating them out in a different way in order to see them better.

There is controversy about the age bracket for women to have a mammogram. On a mammogram film, normal breast tissue in young women usually appears to be dense; normal breast tissue in older women usually turns to fat and appears less dense. Reading mammograms on young women is like looking through a tree which is full of leaves in summer. Reading mammograms on older women can be compared to looking through a tree in winter. You can see why reading mammograms on young women is more complex than reading films on older women and this is the main reason why screening mammography is more effective as women mature.

The fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer will often prevent a woman from having a mammogram. My personal experience is that it is much better to be diagnosed earlier rather than when the cancer has had chance to spread. The amount of fear, pain, embarrassment, and emotional anguish from having a mammogram does not even come close to that of being diagnosed with an advanced cancer. A mammogram takes about 10 minutes; an early cancer can be dealt with in a reasonable amount of time, while an advanced cancer is much more of a time commitment. The amount of fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis is astronomical compared to that of a screening mammogram.

It is often recommended that women have a screening mammogram every two years, but many people believe it is better to have mammograms on an annual basis. It is probably best if women can consult their doctors and make the decision on an individual basis. A number of factors affect the decision such as age, family history, general health, and previous breast problems. Between appointments, whether you choose to have a mammogram every year or every two years, it is important to be aware of any breast problems. If you notice anything unusual it is wise to contact your doctor. This applies even if your mammogram was negative because there are a certain percentage of cancers that do not show on a mammogram.

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation promotes a three-prong approach to breast health:

• annual clinical breast exam by a doctor or trained health professional
• screening mammogram
• monthly breast self exam

Breast self-exam can be a controversial issue. Many people do not recommend monthly self-exams, yet many women have found their own breast cancers this way. The important thing to remember is if you choose to do self exam, to do it right:

• learn the proper method from a doctor or trained health professional
• be disciplined and practice it regularly
• pick the same time of your menstrual cycle or the same date each month
• get to know your normal breast "architecture"
• make notes of your findings, draw pictures and record dates
• make detailed notes of unusual findings including dates
• check with your doctor if you find anything worrisome

Following these steps will give you confidence and put you in charge of your breast health. Some health professionals are concerned that women will be unnecessarily alarmed if they find a problem with their breasts. I believe that an educated approach to breast care will reduce the fear that many women live with, and they can consult their doctors in a more rational manner. Most breast lumps are benign, but early detection of breast cancer is worth the extra cost of investigating lumps and other unusual findings.

Mammography is a peculiar test in some ways. However, it is the gold standard at present and until there is a better method of screening which is also cost effective it makes good sense to have regular mammograms. Finding cancer in the early stages before it has a chance to spread makes the treatment much easier and the cure rate much higher. Having a mammogram is not meant to be funny, or even fun; but a few minutes of discomfort rewards us with knowing we are taking action to help protect our breast health.

Author Bio
www.cancersupportcoach.com Lynn was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 1986 and colon and skin cancer in 1987. She has been involved in the cancer community since then as a peer counselor, support group facilitator, fundraiser and retreat organizer. She works as a mammography technologist in Guelph Ontario. Lynn is also a life coach for cancer patients to help them shorten the learning curve and navigate their journey with cancer.

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Weight loss enhances obese men's sexual well-being (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Obese men who undergo gastric bypass surgery will not only lose weight; their sex lives are likely to improve, too, new research shows. "We wanted to know if obesity was biologically associated with an unsatisfying sex life, and if so, could it be reversible," Dr. Ahmad Hammoud of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, who led the study, said in a press release accompanying the new report. "Our results show that the answer to both questions may be yes." While obesity in men has been linked to low testosterone levels, high levels of estrogen, impaired fertility, and worse sexual quality of life, Hammoud and his colleagues note in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, there is little information on what happens to these men's sex hormones and sexual function if they lose weight. To investigate, Hammoud and his team looked at 22 men who had undergone gastric bypass surgery and 42 obese men who didn't have the operation. At the study's outset, participants weighed 330 pounds, on average, while the average BMI for the group was 46.2, what is considered to be . The heavier the men were, the lower their testosterone, and the more likely they were to report dissatisfaction with their sex lives-especially avoiding sexual encounters and having difficulty performing sexually. Two years later, the men who'd had weight loss surgery had dropped an average of nearly 17 points from their BMI. Their estrogen levels had fallen significantly, while their testosterone levels had gone up. And all showed improvements on each of the four measures of sexual quality of life the researchers looked at: they were less likely to avoid sexual encounters, have difficulty with sexual performance, have little sexual desire, or report not enjoying sex. There were no significant changes in measures of sexual quality of life or hormone levels in the group of men who didn't have the surgery. Because other both biological and psychological factors involved in obesity can affect both sexual health and hormone levels, Hammoud and his team conclude, more research is needed to determine whether there is a causal relationship between hormone changes and sexual quality of life. SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, April 2009.
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A Different Picture Of Heart Disease

By: Ng Peng Hock

In Feb 2006, researchers reported that many women suffer from a fundamentally different heart disease from men and is easily missed from standard tests. Moreover, women do not seek treatment as early as men, and women's hearts are smaller and their blood vessels are more easily damaged. Another possible reason is that the disease could manifest itself differently. As a result, women are less likely to survive heart attacks than men. Many women are still unaware that heart disease and stroke have emerged as the top killers of women worldwide.

The researchers found that for some women, instead of developing obvious blockages in the arteries supplying blood to the heart, plaque are accumulated more evenly inside the major arteries and in smaller blood vessels. In other cases, their arteries fail to expand properly or go into spasm, often at times of physical or emotional stress. These abnormalities are very common for younger women and these can be dangerous because they could trigger life-threatening heart attacks.

Instead of the classic crushing chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath, they often complain of vague symptoms such as fatigue, an upset in stomach, or pain in the jaw or shoulders. This certainly explain why some women suddenly have heart attacks even though their arteries look clear and in some cases, the doctors even send them home without treatment or refer them to psychiatrists. Even if they do get medical treatment, these women may not benefit from the standard drugs or therapies such as bypass surgery and angioplasty to reopen the clogged arteries. In many cases, these women whose arteries looked clear in normal tests have a significantly higher risk of having a heart attack or dying within four or five years. The abnormalities could be due to the fact that hormonal or genetic differences change how their arteries react. In America, there are as many as three million women may suffer from these conditions.

Despite the new findings, many women do have the same kind of heart disease as men, and they do benefit from the same preventative measures and treatments that help men: a healthy diet and weight; regular exercise; and a lower blood pressure and cholesterol level. It is still unclear how best doctors can tackle such conditions, but the new findings do provide important understanding of a major health problem, and it also alerts both women and their doctors about the alternative manifestations of the disease.

Author Bio
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included.

Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Goto: http://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com

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Suriname starts free circumcision project (AFP)

PARAMARIBO (AFP) – Suriname has launched a three-month pilot project offering free circumcisions in a bid to cut sexually transmitted diseases, Health Minister Celsius Waterberg said Friday. Circumcision "could also minimize the risk of HIV infection", he said, adding the project would run in the capital city, Paramaribo. Some two percent of the Suriname population is HIV-infected, about 10,000 people, and the project aims to carry out the operations on 100 men aged between four and 21 years old over the next three months. If successful then the project will spread nationwide, Waterberg said.
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Natural Supplements for Womens Health: Blood Sugar

By: Alex Syrov

One of the problems that women face is a blood sugar. There are a number of factors that can cause high blood sugar levels. Pregnancy and menopause change estrogen levels which affect metabolism and how body processes fat. In turn, that affects blood sugar levels. Menstruation also affects blood sugar, at least indirectly. Everyone has heard about "those pesky hormones" and all about craving certain foods like salty items such as chips or everyone's favorite treat, chocolate. With some dietary changes and a little help from supplements you can achieve a healthy balance in your blood sugar levels.


Tackling the Diet

Carbohydrates are important for your body, but eating too many of them in your diet can cause your blood sugar to have more drastic highs and lows. In addition, you'll find that more fat collects along your midriff and hips. By being selective in the types of carbs you ingest, you will still get what you need in your diet but without those blood sugar swings.

Just say no to processed foods. Basically white foods - anything with white flour and sugars - are converted more quickly to glucose in your body. This causes a spike in your blood sugar levels that lasts just a short time. Before you know it, your energy plummets and you feel lethargic because that "sugar rush" is gone. Then, in order to get that energy level back up, you eat more carbs and the cycle starts all over again.

By choosing carbohydrates that are found in whole grain foods, your body has to work harder to process them. What this means for you is that extreme high-low factor goes away and you are left with a more balanced blood sugar level and your energy level is more consistent. And because your body works harder to process these types of carbohydrates, you are expending calories, meaning less fat gets deposited in your mid-section.

Vitamins and Supplements

While taking care with your diet helps greatly, sometimes you just need an additional boost. This is where women supplements and vitamins for women come in. Business is booming with herbal supplements and special vitamin formulas. But which ones help with your blood sugar?

When your blood sugar levels fluctuate, it can be draining on your body and leave you feeling a bit sluggish. Taking supplements for women that contain chromium might give you a boost and alleviate some of that fatigue. If you have diabetes or might be prone to developing it, ginseng can also be beneficial. It has been known to boost metabolism and help control blood sugar.

If you are looking for vitamins or supplements you have to make sure you only buy high quality products. Always look for products from companies that only specialize in vitamins and supplements products for women. One of the companies that makes nutrients for women and specializes in supplements for women health is nutraOrigin.

There are a number of other women vitamins and supplements that could also be beneficial. However, be sure the check with your doctor to determine which ones might be best for you. If you are taking other medications, certain vitamins or women supplements might counteract with them.

It all boils down to common sense. Do your research into the different vitamins and supplements. Make positive changes in your diet. Women are built differently than men. Therefore, you must be more diligent with your body and what goes into it for your health.

Author Bio
This article was provided by nutraOrigin - the makers of nature-based supplements for women. For more information about various women health issues, tips and nutraOrigin products, visit http://www.nutraorigin.com/.

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German researchers testing veggie Viagra: reports (AFP)

BERLIN (AFP) – German researchers are testing an impotency treatment for men made using only natural ingredients that in some cases works better than Viagra, newspapers reported Monday. "In clinical trials, 50 men had much better sex afterwards, more fun in bed and just generally felt better about themselves," the Sueddeutsche Zeitung daily cited Olaf Schroeder from Berlin's Charite hospital as saying. "Their libido was even higher than the control group taking Viagra," he said. The potent cocktail includes tribulus terrestris, a herb already used in alternative medicine, a root vegetable found in the Andes called maca and grape juice extract, newspapers said. The treatment, dubbed "Plantagrar", is due to be launched in early 2010, the Bild daily said. But some of those tested had unwelcome side effects. "Two of the subjects had bad diarrhoea," the Berliner Kurier quoted Schroeder as adding.
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Second-Generation Female Condom Approved (HealthDay)

WEDNESDAY, March 11 (HealthDay News) -- The Female Health Co.'s FC2 Female Condom has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said Wednesday. The product helps protect women against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The second-generation condom is similar in design and performance to the FC1, except that it is made of a synthetic rubber called nitrile and costs about 30 percent less, the company said. The FC1 was approved in 1993. The FDA approval of the FC2 will allow the U.S. Agency for International Development to distribute the condoms via global HIV/AIDS programs, the Associated Press reported. The first-generation FC1 has been distributed by United Nations agencies in 142 countries, the wire service said. More information To learn more about female condoms, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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Natural Alternative To Hormone Replacement Thereapy (HRT)

By: Tony Luck

Most women experience the onset of the menopause at an average age of about 50, but it can start anytime from the early forties to the late fifties. Symptoms can vary: some women sail through but others suffer the miseries of hot flushes, night sweats, irritability, depression, lack of energy and loss of libido.

Orthodox medical practitioners invariably prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and often anti-depressants and tranquillisers, which can become addictive. However, there is a natural alternative.

HRT is prescribed to counter balance the reduced production by your body of oestrogen which can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis and weakened bones leading to fractures. However, two large clinical trials have shown that HRT does not, in fact, significantly reduce the incidence of bone fractures, and there is an increased risk of heart disease, gallstones, and breast and endometrial cancer.

Rather than a shortage of hormones, it is said that most menopausal symptoms are more to do with an imbalance. By eating a healthy diet, taking regular exercise and natural supplements, you can boost the health of your bones, and balance sugar levels and your hormones.

It is well known that people in some parts of the world (for example Japan and the Mediterranean countries) rarely suffer from heart disease due to their different national diets. It is less well known that women in the Andes region of Peru do not suffer menopausal symptoms. Peruvian women take Maca, a tuberous plant related to the potato. As well as the beneficial effect on menopausal symptoms, Maca boosts energy and libido. Maca is also known as "Peruvian Ginseng" and "Peruvian Viagra".

Centuries ago, the Incas inhabited this area and, in order to boost their energy, their warriors used to take Maca before going into battle. When the Spanish conquered the area they found that their horses suffered from the high altitude. The locals advised them to feed Maca to the horses and the animals immediately experienced an increase in energy levels. The Spanish found that what was good for their horses would also benefit humans, so payment for the taxes levied on the locals was taken in Maca.

There are three phases of menopause: the peri-menopause or the year or so prior to the onset of the menopause when the your body misses the occasional menstrual period. During this time a low dose of 1500mg is recommended to counteract the slow down in the production by your body of hormones. During the actual menopause, increase the dose to around 4000mg each day for a period of 2-3 months, and then reduce the dose to 2000mg. In the post menopause phase, reduce your daily intake of Maca to 1500mg. The risk of osteoporosis is apparent from the onset of the menopause and thereafter. In addition to your daily intake of maca, you are advised to also take a daily dose of Forever Freedom, a natural health drink that contains aloe vera with added Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and vitamin C. This will ease stiffness and pain in the joints and promote mobility and good bone health.

Author Bio
Tony Luck runs a website with advice about maca, a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other natural remedies.

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