List of hospitals in Houston

Methodist Hospital          
 http://www.methodisthealth.com/

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
http://www.stlukestexas.com/

University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
http://www.mdanderson.org/

Park Plaza Hospital
http://www.parkplazahospital.com/en-US/Pages/default.aspx


Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/texas-medical-center/

Menninger Clinic
http://www.menningerclinic.com/

TIRR Memorial Hermann
http://tirr.memorialhermann.org/

San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
http://www.methodisthealth.com/sjmh.cfm?id=36844

Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/northwest/

Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/memorial-city-medical-center-er/

Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
http://www.methodisthealth.com/willowbrook-hospital

Texas Orthopedic Hospital
http://texasorthopedic.com/

Texas Children's Hospital
http://www.texaschildrens.org/

Ben Taub Hospital
https://www.harrishealth.org/en/services/locations/pages/ben-taub.aspx

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/katy/

Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital
http://www.lbj.uth.tmc.edu/

Intracare Hospital North
http://www.intracare.org/

West Houston Medical Center
http://westhoustonmedical.com/

Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center
http://www.cyfairhospital.com/en-


St. Joseph Medical Center
http://www.sjmctx.com/

The Woman's Hospital of Texas
http://womanshospital.com/

Westbury Community Hospital
http://www.westburyhospital.com/


Clear Lake Regional Medical Center
http://clearlakermc.com/

Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital http://www.memorialhermann.org/locations/memorial-city/

Psychological Changes

Psychological Changes

Menopause causes many psychological changes in women. Anxiety, irritability and depression are some of the common psychological changes occurring in women, in menopause. Know the main cause of depression in women in menopause.

What are the psychological changes associated with menopause

Anxiety, irritability and depression commonly arise during the climacteric (around menopause time) and are usually the group of symptoms which are worse in the pre-menopause period i.e. a few years before periods cease.
 

Why does depression occur

Falling estrogen levels may reduce dopamine receptor sensitivity or reduce available tryptophan for serotonin synthesis, leading to reduced activity of central nervous system transmitters and consequent depression. Other causes of depression may also occur at the time of menopause. These include loss of reproductive potential, a perceived loss of femininity, marital disenchantment, the 'empty nest' syndrome and career disappointments.


Cardiovascular Diseases

Estrogen has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease in women, but during menopause this estrogen levels decreases thus making women susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. After menopause, women are more prone to heart diseases. Know more about this.

Does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases

Before menopause, heart diseases are uncommon in women who do not smoke, do not have hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (excessive saturated fats in their blood) or diabetes. It is five times more common in men than in pre-menopausal women but once menopause has occurred, the risk of heart disease in women approaches that in men, suggesting a role for the menopausing in this changed risk.

The etiology of heart disease is complex and incompletely understood. However, several studies on the effect of premature menopause on the incidence of heart diseases suggest that earlier the cessation of ovarian function occurs greater the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A role for estrogen deficiency in the etiology of this disease is strongly suggestive.


How does menopause increase the risk of heart diseases

High plasma levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations protect the heart (cardio-protective), whilst those of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations increase the risk of heart disease.  Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower and HDL levels are higher.  But after menopause, LDL levels increase significantly, and thereby increase the risk of heart diseases.


Do women run a greater risk of heart diseases than men

No.  Before menopause, serum LDL levels are lower in women than in men, and serum HDL levels are higher. Following menopause, LDL levels in women rise but do not exceed the levels in age-matched men.


What is the role of the estrogen in preventing heart diseases

Estrogen in pre-menopausal women has a protective effect on cardiovascular disease, probably mediated through it's effect on the HDL:LDL ratio.  But estrogen may work in other ways such as by a direct effect on blood vessels or by stimulating direct effect on blood flow in organs such as the skin, uterus, vulva and kidneys.



Changes in the Skeletal System (Osteoporosis)

There are many changes in the skeleton of women after menopause. Women have increased risk of osteoporosis. This is due to de-mineralisation of bone.

Is there a risk of osteoporosis because of menopause

Yes.  Approximately 50% of bone loss occurs in the first 5 to 7 years of menopause Thus, the risk of osteoporosis increases tremendously at menopause.


How does menopause affect the skeletal system (bones)

De-mineralisation of bone is potentially the most serious long-term consequence of human menopause. Peak bone mass is reached in the third decade of life. Thereafter there is a progressive reduction in bone mass, with an accelerated loss following menopause.  The precise mechanism of bone loss is uncertain. There is an increase in bone turnover, which disrupts the remodeling process, with bone resorption exceeding formation.

Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen Deficiency

Estrogen is a female hormone responsible for female sexual development and reproductive function. It is found in greater amounts in females than males. Estrogen deficiency leads to menopause.

What is estrogen

Estrogen is commonly defined as "any family of steroid hormones that regulate and sustain female sexual development and reproductive function".  Estrogens are steroid hormones, made primarily in the female ovaries and the male testes in humans and animals. Known as the female hormones, estrogens are found in greater amounts in females than males.

Why is estrogen important

These essential molecules influence growth, development and behavior (puberty) regulate reproductive cycles (menstruation, pregnancy) and affect many other body parts (bones, skin, arteries, brain etc.)

Modern scientists also define estrogens as materials that stimulate tissue growth by:

Promoting cell proliferation DNA synthesis and cell division in female sex organs breasts, uterus)
Promoting hypertrophy or increasing a cell size, such as which occurs in female breast and male muscle during puberty and initiating synthesis of specific proteins.
The principal functions of estrogen are to control and regulate the following: uterus and external sexual organs, fallopian tubes, breasts, skeleton, protein deposition, bone density, metabolism and fat deposition, hair distribution and skin.

What are the consequences of estrogen deficiency

The major clinical consequences of the post-menopausal period may be attributed to the estrogen deficiency.  The 'menopausal syndrome' refers to a group of physical and psychological symptoms commonly experienced in the climacteric period due to estrogen deficiency.  But as these symptoms often predate menopause, they are also a result of relative estrogen deficiency as well as to fluctuating levels of ovarian hormones.


Common Symptoms of menopause :

Symptoms of menopause varies from woman to woman. Common symptoms are vaginal dryness, depression, tiredness and headaches. Given here is a list of menopausal symptoms and its frequency.

What are the symptoms of menopause (or estrogen deficiency)

The symptoms of menopause are varied, insidious and can frequently be misdiagnosed as endogenous depression, migraine or general debility. However, vasomotor symptoms and vaginal dryness in association with depression, tiredness and headaches of recent onset are characteristic of menopause or estrogen deficiency (although these may not be the initial presenting symptoms or the most distressing symptoms).

The major long-term problems of menopause include the development of adverse changes in blood lipoprotein concentrations, the generalized atrophy of connective tissues and the progressive reduction in bone mass (risk of osteoporosis).


How common are the various menopausal symptoms

Frequency of menopausal symptoms in women aged 45-54 years.
 

Complaint  % of women Irritability  92 % Lethargy  88 % Depression  78 % Flushes and night sweats  75 % Headaches  71 % Forgetfulness  64 % Weight gain  61 % Insomnia  51 % Joint and muscle pain  48 % Palpitations  44 % Crying spells  42 % Constipation  37 % Dysuria  20 % Decreased libido  20 %