You At Your Best

12 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST OcTOBER - wOmEn'S ISSUE | SATURdAY, SEpTEmBER 29, 2018 Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette Even with the passage of time, many women still retain their youthful energy and enthusiasm, but post-menopausal changes can affect a woman's quality of life in unexpected ways. Hormone replacement therapy may not be the best option for a lot of patients, as treatment outcomes can be uncertain. Now there is an alternative therapy for vaginal revitalization that can help millions of women who are silently suffering and unable to undergo other treatment options. What is the MonaLisa Touch? MonaLisa Touch is a medical laser that delivers controlled energy to the vaginal tissue to revitalize the cells in the vaginal mucosa (vaginal tissue) so that these cells make more collagen, an essential ingredient in vaginal cell health. How does it work? MonaLisa Touch implements CO2 laser energy that is delivered via side- firing probe inserted into the vaginal canal. A two-part pulse targets surface (epithelial) tissue and deep (lamina propria) tissue to promote vaginal mucosal revitalization. Where can I have this done? The MonaLisa Touch is an in-office procedure performed by an obstetrician/ gynecologist. Does the procedure hurt? The procedure is virtually painless and requires no anesthesia. Some patients may experience some discomfort the first time the probe is inserted, but the actual treatment is not painful. Many patients report that it feels like a gentle vibration. How long does it take? Patients receive three treatments, spaced six weeks apart, which each take less than five minutes to perform. When will I see results? Most patients feel improvement after the very first treatment, although the procedure calls for three treatments that are generally spaced over a 12-week period. How long does it last? Patients should expect to come back annually for a maintenance treatment What are my limitations after the procedure is done? Patients should refrain from sexual activity for 2-3 days. Your doctor will determine a post-procedure regimen that is right for you. For which patients is this treatment appropriate? The MonaLisa Touch is appropriate for any female who has gone through menopause, as well as those who are experiencing post-menopausal symptoms as a result of a hysterectomy or breast cancer treatments. Is this procedure safe for women with breast cancer? Yes, MonaLisa Touch treatment is particularly well suited for patients who cannot, or prefer not to receive estrogen therapy. They can be reached by telephone at (479) 521-4433, or online at parkhillclinic.com Find out if MonaLisa Touch is right for you today! Locations in Fayetteville & Bentonville parkhillclinic.com (479) 521-4433 Parkhill Clinic Offers the Mona Lisa Treatment for Women Frequently Asked Questions By DaviD WooDS NWa Democrat-Gazette The most important people in my life have always been women. They have been strong women who succeeded in spite of odds, in spite of societal and professional conventions, and in spite of their gender. As a kid, my grandmother, who raised me and recently died, spent more time taking care of her grandkids than herself. I had high school teachers who served as role models who often looked after kids, not even their own, and devoted long hours to our success. In the U. S. Navy, I was honored to serve under one of the first combatant female Command Master Chiefs afloat. Professionally, I was lucky to be mentored by a strong "Lady Editor," not my words, at my first newspaper job. I was fortunate to be hired by a woman who built a small advertising and marketing agency into a regional powerhouse. She too, recently passed. Gone, but not forgotten. The one thing that links these important women in my life is selfless courage. They all put others before themselves. They all put themselves in the backseat when it came to personal wellbeing. Guys, if you don't already, do it now. Put the women in your life in the front seat. Make sure your friends, daughters, nieces, sisters, mothers and grandmothers are pushed and prodded to take care of themselves. I challenge you to be a pest, to offer to take them in for a checkup, or to invite them for a long healthy evening walk. Take the time top open up a discussion and make sure they know their health is important to you. These tips will help the women in your life put their health first. Share them with those important to you. Don't take "no" for an answer and follow up with them. Clip this list out and tape it to the fridge. • Schedule a checkup. An annual checkup is covered as part of your preventive care benefit through your health insurance plan. Schedule one today. Talk to your doctor about conditions women and men experience differently, like a heart attack, so you can know what to watch for. • Take small steps for your health. Replace some TV time with light exercise, like a 20-minute walk. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting. Buy more fresh or frozen fruits and veggies so they're handy when you're hungry. • Make health a family objective. Tired of pizza and a movie night? What about salads and an after-dinner stroll night? Or family bike ride Saturday? Working toward goals together can help everyone succeed. • Opt in for insurance at work. If your employer offers affordable health coverage, explore your options and sign up. Source: regence.com Women's health not just a woman's issue

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