Feminews

“Life is not easy for any of us.

But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.�

-Marie Curie

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Table of Contents Femi-heroes ‫……………………………………………………………………………………………… ارتدي مئزرك‬. 4 She Makes Evolution ……………………………………………………………………………….. 5 Spotlight on Arab Woman………………………………………………………………………… 6 Rosalind Franklin: The Truth Behind DNA Discovery…………………………………. 7 Matriarchy……………………………………………………………………………………………..... 9

Femi-health Breast Cancer: The Key for Winning this Fight……………………………………….. 11 Breast Feeding in the COVID-19 Era……………………………………………………….. 13 Sex Hormones and Stress……………………………………………………………………….. 14

Fe-motivation All Bodies Are Worthy of Respect………………………………………………………….. 16 My Idol…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 Women’s Body Image and Artificial Self-confidence………………………………. 19 All Hail the Queen………………………………………………………………………………….. 20

Femi-socio-economic “Sometimes the Easiest Way to Solve a Problem is to Stop Participating in the Problem” …………………………………………………………………………………………. 22 The Impact of Family on Girls……………………..……………………………………….…. 23 Sexual Violence………………………………………………………………………………………. 24

Fe-medications Ovagold: Efficacy and Safety of Myo-inositol Administration in Patients with Dermatological Manifestations of Polycystic Fibrosis……………………… 26 The Taboo Around Oral Contraception…………………………………………………… 27 Contraception………………………………………………………………………………………… 29 Women and Birth Control………………………………………………………………………. 30 2

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‫ارتدي مئزرك‬ ‫هل حاولت يوما تذكر تلك القصة التي عنت لك الكثير منذ‬ ‫أثر‬ ‫الصغر؟ قصة لو أنّك تذكرين نيّفا منها لكنها ذات ٍ‬ ‫ملموس‪.‬‬ ‫لتكرم بجائزة نوبل مرتين‪ ،‬واإلنسان‬ ‫كانت االمرأة الوحيدة ّ‬ ‫األول ليحصل على جائزة نوبل في مجالين مختلفين‪ .‬قصة‬ ‫وحياة "ماري كوري" كانت قصتي المميزة‪ ،‬فبعد أن قرأنا‬ ‫عنها في المدرسة‪ ،‬الحقت تفاصيل حياتها ألبحث عن‬ ‫سرها‪.‬‬ ‫ُزرعت في أذهاننا صورة الفرحة المثالية بفستان أبيض‬ ‫ومستقبل سعيد وضاحك (لو أني الوم ديزني على هذه‬ ‫الصورة)‪ ،‬فما كان من قصة ماري إال أن غيرت هذا كله‪،‬‬ ‫فقد كان رمز سعادتها في حفلة زواجها أن ارتدت مئزرها‬ ‫األزرق‪ ،‬الذي لطالما رافقها في أبحاثها المخبرية‪.‬‬ ‫ارتدي مئزرك‪ ،‬احملي ريشتك‪ ،‬قلمك أو كتابك‪ ..‬أتذكرين‬ ‫ذلك الصندوق الذي طلبوا منك أن تفكري خارجه؟ ارسميه‬ ‫على ورقة ثم اثنيها وارمي بها بعيدا‪ ،‬ال حدود لقدراتك‬ ‫وشغفك‪ ،‬أنت نصف المجتمع األول والنصف الثاني!‬

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‫‪Israa Sayed‬‬ ‫‪LPSA’s President‬‬ ‫‪PharmD Candidate‬‬ ‫‪Lebanese International University‬‬

She Makes Evolution The physicist Marie Curie, the chemist Rosalind Franklin, the marine biologist Rachel Carson and the list extends…

What's common between all these women? The passion for science and their insistence to leave an exquisite print despite all the complications a female could face.

Among these scientists, Frances Arnold has left her special print upon me when I was taking my Medicinal Chemistry course. My dean of Pharmacy Professor Mohammad Rahal, who taught me this course, asked me to search for the Nobel Prize winners in chemistry for the same year, 2018. And the prize was one half awarded to Frances H. Arnold "for the directed evolution of enzymes”. Thus, I was impressed and inspired by the evolution Ms. Frances has introduced to our world, despite the complexity of her work.

Recognizing that nature was “the best bioengineer in history”, Frances Arnold has pioneered the use of directed evolution to design new enzymes. These enzymes could produce pharmaceuticals, plastics and other chemicals that would otherwise be made with toxic materials.

As she says: "If you’re going to change the world, you’ve got to be fearless." Accordingly, to all ambitious people out there, don’t let fears stop your spectacular journey towards greatness. Always remember that when there’s a will, there’s a way. So strive endlessly!

Mariam Alkhatib LPSA’s Chairperson of Media & Publications Fourth Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese International University

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Spotlight on Arab Woman

In the Arab world, as in all regions of the world, women have been put down since the dawn of time. However, where there is oppression, there is resistance. Thus, there has been and still is a huge number of women who push the envelope and refuse to stay within the small spaces allocated to them. These women push further and rise higher than is expected from them, or anyone else for that matter.

Here is one of the most influential Arab women who is going above and beyond today: Tawwakkol Karman.

A Yemeni journalist, politician, and human rights activist, Karman was the first Arab woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She works to achieve freedom of speech in Yemen, and founded the campaign group Women Journalists Without Chains in 2005. She led a series of protests calling for the overturn of corrupt governments, from Yemen to Egypt.

Karman has also donated the $500,000 she received from the Nobel Prize for those wounded and the families of people killed during Yemen's uprising.

Hilal Alkadri LPSA’S Chairperson of Public Health Fourth Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese International University

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Rosalind Franklin: The Truth Behind DNA Discovery Who Was Rosalind Franklin?

Rosalind Franklin, British scientist best known for her contributions to the discovery of the molecular structure DNA, a constituent of chromosomes that serves to encode genetic information. Franklin also contributed new insight on the structure of viruses, helping to lay the foundation for the field of structural virology. She graduated from Newnham College, one of two women’s colleges at Cambridge University.

Career Towards Discovering DNA When Rosalind started work in John T. Randall’s Biophysics Unit at King’s College London, she was originally planned to build up a crystallography section and work on analyzing proteins, however, Franklin was asked to investigate DNA instead.

Maurice Wilkins, the lab assistant chief, expected that he and Rosalind Franklin would work together, but it was said that only she would do the DNA work. Her subsequent relations with Wilkins suffered from this misunderstanding and they never worked with each other. Rosalind took increasingly clear x-ray diffraction photos of DNA, and quickly discovered that there were two forms--wet and dry-which produced very different pictures. The wet form she realized was probably helical in structure, with the phosphates on the outside of the ribose chains. It took 2 years to concluded that both forms had two helices.

Layla Abounassif Fifth Year Pharmacy student Lebanese International University

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Meanwhile, at the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge, Francis Crick (Biophysicist) and James Watson (Molecular Biologist) were working on a theoretical model of DNA. Though not in close communication with Rosalind Franklin, in January 1953 they extracted crucial insights about DNA’s structure from one of her x-ray diffraction photos shown to them by Wilkins, and from a summary of her unpublished research submitted to the Medical Research Council. Watson and Crick never told Franklin that they had seen her materials, and they did not directly acknowledge their debt to her work when they published their classic announcement in Nature that April. Crick later admitted that Franklin was two steps away from realizing the correct structure in the spring of 1953.

Achievements, Injustice, and Death Throughout her 16-year career, Franklin published steadily: 19 articles on coals and carbons, 5 on DNA, and 21 on viruses.

Franklin’s scientific achievements, both in coal chemistry and virus structure research were considerable. In the fall of 1956 Franklin was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. For the next 18 months she underwent surgeries and other treatments; she had several periods of remission, during which she continued working in her lab and seeking funding for her research team. She died in London on April 16, 1958.

Her peers in those fields acknowledged this during her life and after her death. But it is her role in the discovery of DNA structure that has gathered the most public attention. Crick, Watson, and Wilkins shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their work on the structure of DNA. None gave Franklin credit for her contributions at that time.

Franklin’s work on DNA have remained a silent footnote in that story had Watson not defamed her in his 1968 memoir, The Double Helix. There, he presented Franklin as “Rosy, a bad-tempered, arrogant bluestocking who jealously guarded her data from colleagues, and she was not competent to interpret it”. His book became very popular, even though many of those featured in the story-- including Crick, Wilkins, and Linus Pauling-protested Watson’s treatment of Franklin, as did many reviewers. In 1975, Franklin’s friend Anne Sayre published a biography in angry rebuttal to Watson’s account, and Franklin’s role in the discovery became better known.

References www.dnaftb.org/19/bio-3.html www.biography.com/scientist/rosalindfranklin www.https://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/spotligh t/kr/feature/biographical

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Matriarchy

How lucky are we to live in the 21st century, when the number of women even exceeds the number of men getting high education? Born 150 years ago, when women didn’t even have the

Matriarchy

right to work or vote, Marie Skłodowska Curie is still the only female scientist many people can name. This remarkable woman created “radioactivity”: even the word was invented by her, won a Nobel Prize, was the first female professor at University of Paris and was the first PERSON to win a second Nobel Prize. This woman is the inspiration for us all to fight tirelessly and reach our greatest goals.

tonever live heard in the 21st century, the If you think How politicslucky are for are men, we you’ve of Margaret Thatcher.when As the first number of women even exceeds the number of men getting high education? Born 150 years ago, when disharmony and economic recession which defined her legacy. women didn’t even have the right to work or vote, “I don’t work, I’m a princess”, this phrase died the second ouronly beloved Diana became Princess Marie Skłodowska Curie is still the female scientist many people caninname. remarkable of Wales. This women wasn’t only about looks, fact, sheThis attracted the media’s attention by her created “radioactivity”: even the word was charity workwoman for sick children, by banning of landmines and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS invented by her, won a Nobel Prize, was the first and even mental illness and body image. Diana taught us to stand for ourselves and become female professor at University of Paris and was the first outspoken confident women.

PERSON to win a second Nobel Prize. This woman is the All these women changed the eachto in fight their own way. Therefore, just remember inspiration forworld us all tirelessly and reach our to reach for the stars and keep going forward because no one can beat the person who never gives up. greatest goals.

Britain’s female prime minister, she saved her country in an unsettled time of political

If you think politics are for men, you’ve never heard of Margaret Thatcher. As the first Britain’s female prime minister, she saved her country in an unsettled time of political disharmony and economic recession which defined her legacy.

“I don’t work, I’m a princess”, this phrase died the second our beloved Diana became Princess of Wales.

This woman wasn’t only about looks, in fact, she attracted the media’s attention by her charity work for sick children, by banning of landmines and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and even mental illness and body image. Diana taught us to stand for ourselves and become outspoken confident women.

All these women changed the world each in their own way. Therefore, just remember to reach for the stars and keep going forward because no one can beat the person who never gives up.

Rita Hlal Professional Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

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Breast Cancer: The Key for Winning this Fight One of the leading types of cancer in females is breast cancer. This condition is diagnosed in around two million females each year. Our role as health care professionals is to raise awareness about it to decrease the number of deaths. The most important method to do so is by regular screening by having mammograms.

Although mammograms may not prevent breast cancer, but it can help reduce the odds that it will go undetected, and even reaching advanced stages.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) provides the following general recommendations for women at average risk for breast cancer: • Women ages 40 to 49: An annual mammogram isn’t recommended, but women should discuss their preferences with their doctors.

• Women ages 50 to 74: A mammogram every other year is recommended.

• Women 75 and older: Mammograms are no longer recommended.

Ismail Jomha LPSA’s Vice President Fifth Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese International University

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In addition to mammograms, breast self-exams are another way to watch for signs of breast cancer.

It’s best to do this exam once a month, at the same time each month. The exam can help you become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel so that you’re aware of any changes that occur. The best time to do a breast self-exam is a few days after your monthly menstrual cycle ends. Hormonal changes can affect the size and feel of your breasts, so it’s best to perform the exam when your breasts are in their normal state. During the self-test you should be looking for any lumps or any other physical and/or visual abnormalities. If found, schedule an appointment with your physician for a thorough examination.

Finally, early detection of breast cancer is important as it is associated with an increased number of available treatment options, increased survival, and improved quality of life. While there is no definitive method of preventing breast cancer, early detection provides the best chance of effective treatment.

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Breast Feeding in the COVID-19 Era Breastfeeding is essential for infant health and development, and for mother-child bonding. As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), sweeps through the globe, it is natural for lactating mothers to worry about the health of their newborn and breastmilk transmission of the viral disease. To date, no evidence is available on SARS-CoV-2 transmission to the infant through breast milk. 1,2 The consensus is that the benefit of breastfeeding far outweighs the risk of infecting the baby, regardless of COVID-19 status. 3-6 General recommendations include not delaying nursing while waiting for the COVID-19 test results, washing hands before and after touching the baby, practicing respiratory hygiene, and sterilizing milk pumping kits and bottles between uses. 4,5,7

References: 1. Chen H, Guo J, Wang C et al. Clinical characteristics and intrauterine vertical transmission potential of COVID-19 infection in nine pregnant women: a retrospective review of medical records.

The Lancet. 2020;395:809-815.

2. Peng Z, Wang J, Mo Y, et al. Unlikely SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission from mother to child: A case report. J Infect Public Health. 2020;13(5):818�820.

Alissar Mousallem

3. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection in Pregnancy.

Version 8, April 2020 4. World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Office. Breastfeeding advice during the covid19 outbreak, April 2020. Available from http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutritioninfocus/breastfeeding-advice-during-covid-19-outbreak.html. Accessed May 14, 2020.

PharmD Candidate Lebanese American University

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Pregnancy and Breastfeeding, April 2020. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/needextra-precautions/pregnancy-breastfeeding.html. Accessed May 14, 2020.

6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding, April 2020 https://www.acog.org:443/en/PatientResources/FAQs/Pregnancy/Coronavirus- Pregnancy-andBreastfeeding. Accessed May 14, 2020.

7. World Health Organization. Frequently asked questions: Breastfeeding and COVID-19 For health care workers, April 2020. Available from: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/maternalhealth/faqs-breastfeeding-and-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=d839e6c0_1 . Accessed May 14, 2020

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Sex Hormones and Stress Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from stressrelated mental illnesses such as depression.

High levels of the female sex hormone estrogen affect the brain’s ability to deal with stress. This may be why anxiety often peaks during times of hormonal change such as during puberty, at certain times of the menstrual cycle in women, and during menopause in women. On the other hand, chronic stress affects the concentration of all sex hormones because the body produces stress hormones such as cortisol at the expense of sex hormones. In order to fight stress, our body shuts down sex mechanisms so that we’re better able to deal with more urgent and immediate needs.

This change, called the stress-shift in hormone production, helps us respond to life-threatening situations by focusing hormone production for survival rather than procreation. The shift in hormones not only lowers sex drive but it can interfere with ovulation and fertility.

Darine Al Nabulsi First Year Pharmacy Student

Recognizing stress as a contributing factor or the cause of sexual problems is enough to bring about recovery.

Ignoring the problem and not taking steps to eliminate it can lead to many serious problems.

Lebanese International University

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All Bodies Are Worthy of Respect

We spend a lot of time talking about specific parts of our bodies that we have been taught to see as flawed: stomach that aren’t flat, thighs that aren’t smooth, arms that wobble and backs that ripple.

We don’t talk about what all those supposed flaws have in common and why we have been thought to see them as flaws in the first place.

The problem isn’t individual body parts. The problem is fatphobia. We live in a culture that teaches us to fear and hate fatness.

Remember, you have so much more to give the world than how your body looks. There is much more out there than hitting a goal weight, or wearing a pair of size 2 jeans. It’s a waste of the short time we get to spend every day obsessing over these things, instead of exploring, growing, learning and living.

Maha Fansa LPSA’s Secretary Professional Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

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My Idol Since I was a little girl, people always asked me who my idol was. I never really had an answer for that. As I was embarking on my womanhood journey I started to observe all the women around me, wondering how they get through the day.

After my first minor heartbreak I looked at the divorced woman whom I judged to be weak after her husband cheated on her and realized how strong she was to be able to pick herself up and proceed. After my first period cramps I looked at my great grandmother who had 18 children, 9 of which died, and was astonished by the fact that she went through the agony of labor 18 times. After my first bump at the School of Pharmacy, I noticed how empowering it is to see my female doctors and preceptors strive, lead and conquer in their careers. Some were married, some had children, some were single or widowed and other sick, but despite all those discrepancies, they all mentored students and saved patients.

Sylvia Boutros Professional Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

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My first mental breakdown made me appreciate my mother who suffered from genetic depression for as long as I can remember, but still took her pills picked her broken pieces and managed to raise us without letting her state affect us. Suddenly, my heartbreak got lamer, my cramps seemed soother, my academic bump smoother and my breakdown more containable.

We lift each other up. No woman is worthless. We are heroes. Being a woman is already a full time job itself. We are never on vacation, neither biologically, mentally, emotionally nor socially. We need to sacrifice with pain, every day, whether in period cramps, in our first time, during labor, or when breastfeeding. We sacrifice with some of our dreams that get suppressed either by a pregnancy or by a postpartum depression or by hormone induced mood swings that tie us up and let us dwell in our present.

Yet we manage to move forward. Those details seem so basic and so lame in a Man-lead society yet it is this force to overcome those underestimated fore mentioned pains that keeps the family tree growing bigger and its roots digging deeper.

Therefore, I would like to say to all the women out there, I finally found my idol after 22 years. It was never a person, it was you, with all of your incredibly inspiring intrepid actions combined in the woman that I aspire to become. Thank you for that.

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Women’s Body Image and Artificial Self-confidence

Perfection. This is what most of women nowadays are striving to get: Perfection - “the best looks “: a perfect body with shredded arms, toned thighs and a round booty. Now I’m not saying being fit is wrong, but going straight to the top of the mountain and skipping obstacles is heavy, too heavy and mentally draining. Stretch marks, cellulites and curves are part of our body, hiding them instead of embracing their existence is often leading to “artificial self-confidence “; meaning we pretend to be confident in a shape that doesn’t suit us.

Ladies, love yourselves the way you are! You are strong and beautiful in all the shapes your bodies could get into!

Ghida El Nakib Third Year Pharmacy Student Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth

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All Hail the Queen The word “Woman”, is a word that carries a thousand implications. Many of us know what they are, the stage of emotions, tenderness, sacrifice… As unusual as it may sound I will be quoting Beyoncé that said “The most alluring thing a woman can have is Confidence”.

Using my own words, the Woman is fierce… The woman is the soldier that carries the faith, the passion, the fight and the peace through a flame in her fiery eyes.

During these tough times, imagine all the women that are walking the hallways of hospitals, devoting their time and strength to insure safety and provide optimal care. These same women come back to their homes to nurture their families, to ensure that their homes’ wellbeing is maintained. If you just picture all the pressure they go through, the fear of transferring any harm to their homes and the fear of not being stronger than the virus in their workplace, this picture is enough for you to see how strong a lady can be. In the most diplomatic of battlefields, her patience is at stake; her body is at risk, her sanity and mental health consistently under test, she is a weaponless warrior.

Tracy Abboud Professional Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

You don’t always need a crown to coronate a queen, the delicacy, resilience; nobility and allegiance are the melodious harmonies of her enthroning.

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“Sometimes The Easiest Way to Solve a Problem is to Stop Participating in the Problem” Development interventions continue to be based on the idea that men are breadwinners and women are dependents.

Women constitute a majority of the poor and are often the poorest of the poor. In most societies, gender norms define women’s role as largely relegated to the home, as mother and caretaker, and men’s role as responsible for productive activities outside the home. These norms influence institutional policies and laws that define women’s and men’s access to productive resources such as education, employment, land and credit. There is overwhelming evidence from around the world to show that girls and women are more disadvantaged than boys and men in their access to these valued productive resources.

The best policy solutions to address women’s poverty must combine a range of decent employment opportunities with a network of social services that support healthy families, such as quality health care, child care, and housing support.

Policy objectives must also recognize the multiple barriers to economic security women face based on their race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexuality, physical ability, and health status. These approaches must promote the equal social and economic status of all women by expanding their opportunities to balance work and family life.

“Economic `empowerment of women working through families can guarantee a change in lives and livelihoods of the poor. Microfinancing women-led families is a sustainable way to ensure women’s development.”

Joumana Al Akhdar LPSA’s Student Exchange Officer Pharmacy Graduate Beirut Arab University Current Master Student Lebanese University

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The Impact of Family on Girls

It is so freeing growing up in a lovely, and understanding family; especially when you are a girl.

In a society where girls are still sometimes left behind, courageous, understanding and openminded parents are all what those girls need to grow up into independent, successful women.

Having a good relationship with their parents is so important for the child’s growth.

And to all the other girls who didn’t have such a chance, may I tell you that family is not always related by blood. Strangers can eventually turn into family when they help you grow into what you always dreamed of.

Marie-Lynn Boursali Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese University

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Sexual Violence

Violence against women and girls takes many different forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, child, early and forced marriage, sex trafficking, so called ‘honor’ crimes and female genital mutilation.

“Sexual violence against women and girls is rooted in centuries of male domination”.

It has serious consequences on women’s mental and physical health, including their reproductive and sexual health. These include injuries, gynecological problems, temporary or permanent disabilities, depression and suicide, amongst others.

The most effective ways to tackle violence towards girls and women: CHALLENGE AND SPEAK OUT ABOUT VIOLENCE IN THE HOME. EMBOLDEN GIRLS TO SPEAK OUT.

Sally El Hajj First Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese International University

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Ovagold: Efficacy and Safety of MyoInositol Administration in Patients with Dermatological Manifestations of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Acne, hirsutism, and alopecia are some of the common dermatological manifestations in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Myoinositol, a stereoisomer for inositol, has been widely shown to be an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and a potent inhibitor of 5-Îą reductase, COX-2, and lipase enzymes. Myo-inositol has shown a great role in improving acne by reducing hyperandrogenism in patients with PCOS. Myo-inositol with folic acid reduce acne-related lesions of inflammatory and noninflammatory types up to 40% as quickly as 8 weeks, it also improves hirsutism and menstrual irregularities.

Ovagold is considered as a first-line treatment for dermatological manifestations of PCOS with negligible adverse reactions.

Reference: Dr. CĂŠsar Hawa, Infectious Disease.

Leyan Halwani First Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese International University

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The Taboo Around Oral Contraceptives

Word associations are often used to illustrate a picture in our mind.

Feminine. Sensual. Independent.

Those are some words you may correlate to a few of your favorite female role models.

Promiscuous. Unfaithful. Cheap.

Regrettably throughout my pharmacy experience, I’ve heard these words spoken about these same role models…

Except the difference? They have chosen to take Oral Contraceptives (OC’s).

Taylor El Daccache Professional Third Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

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The possibility of having a choice when it comes to your own reproductive health scares some people.

Ask yourself:

What makes me so uncomfortable with low doses of Estrogen and Progesterone entering the female body?

Have I done the proper research on the topic or have I passively adopted the societal taboo around OC’s as my own?

Various psycho-social stigmas surrounding sexuality act as barriers that contribute to misinformation that impede the agency of one’s own body. To embrace the “my body my choice” mantra, such barriers must be broken.

Whether it’s your cultural, religious, or individual background that hosts some reservation on the topic, I ask for you to reconsider.

Break the barriers.

Start a conversation. Challenge the norm.

This same norm may be clouding our ability to give sound medical advice.

As healthcare professionals tackling the innovative world of medicine, we must keep our oath: Do no harm.

As a female tackling the expectations that have befallen onto me in the modern Arab world, I am here to reclaim the space society so adeptly taught me to not fill up.

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Contraception What Are the Risks of Taking the Pill?

Increase the risk of developing:     

Blood clots High blood pressure Migraine Headaches Cancer especially Cervical Cancer Unintended pregnancy especially in case of missed dose and excess in body weight and obesity  Cardiovascular diseases (increase in cholesterol levels)

What Are the Benefits of Taking the Pill?

Decrease the risk of:  Ovarian & Uterine cancers  Heavy bleeding, irregular periods, painful periods, and menstrual cramps  Ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, particularly in the fallopian tubes)  Iron-deficiency anemia  Acne and unwanted hair growth  Pelvic pain due to endometriosis  Pelvic inflammatory disease

Rami Baz LPSA’s Treasurer

What can make the pill less effective?    

Taking it more than 24 hours late Vomiting within two hours of taking it Very severe diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 hours Some medicines can reduce the effectiveness of the combined pill mainly Rifampicin and Griseofulvin…

Fifth Year Pharmacy Student Beirut Arab University

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Women and Birth Control

It is surprising to see that a majority of women are not aware of the side effects of hormonal birth control.

Here’s a few of them:

1-Damaged microbiome. Hormonal birth control acts just like an antibiotic in the gut, destroying essential microbiome balance.

2-Micronutrient deficiency. It robs your body of B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin C in particular.

3-Suppressed ovulation. This isn’t always good since ovulation can protect a woman’s health on the long term when it comes to avoiding osteoporosis, heart attacks and breast cancer.

4-Increased inflammation. If you are prescribed the pill for cramps or PMS, you should know that those issues result from hormonal imbalance and inflammation in the body.

Unfortunately, the pill does not treat the root causes, but can only mask the symptoms you experience.

Anna Maria Ghaleb Professional Second Year Pharmacy Student Lebanese American University

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“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.�

-Oprah Winfrey

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