Health Q&A

DOWN THERE* QUESTION -NAIRE

Expert answers to common women’s health questions

By: Danielle Inman, M.D. Illustrations by: Trisha Thompson Adams

Danielle Inman, M.D. is an OB/GYN generalist here in Corpus Christi. Nine years ago she and her husband relocated here from the East Coast, and they never looked back. Partnering in a bustling practice that has served the Coastal Bend community for over 30 years now, Dr. Inman enjoys helping women and their families through various stages of their lives.

Her second passion is teaching. There is an enormous amount of information out there for patients to process and analyze, and Dr. Inman has a unique style of putting that mountain of information in perspective to the patients’ individual situations.

Over the years, Dr. Inman has answered countless questions regarding women’s health, with menopause, libido, and infertility topping the list of most common subject matters. We asked her a few questions regarding these three women’s health topics, and she’s here to provide expert answers.

* Down there is a common euphemism refering to the anatomy of human reproductive organs.

Menopause sounds terrible … What should I expect? If I've already had a baby once, is it possible to be infertile now?

Many people ask me this very same question. However, it’s a difficult answer to generalize. Infertility is a multifaceted problem and more than one thing can be the cause. Unfortunately, there is no lab test that can give us a definitive answer on the status of your individual fertility.

Age is important, because in the late 30s to early 40s, the genetic quality of our eggs decline in an exponential way. I ask several questions when a patient inquiries about their fertility status revolving around various factors, menstrual cycle regularity being one of them. Regular menstrual cycles are a good indicator that a woman is still fertile. Unpredictable cycles decrease the chance of spontaneous pregnancy. Certain histories of surgery or infection in the abdomen and/or pelvis can play a role in infertility too.

Properly timed intercourse is also important. The ovulation period is a narrow five- to seven-day window. It’s important to take a look at your partner, as well. Is this a new partner? Do they have any of their own kids already? Have you tested his semen? These are all important questions to ask regarding this topic.

With these questions and answers in your mind, you and your OB/GYN can come up with an individualized plan to help you and your partner conceive.

Menopause IS terrible for some! However, it doesn’t have to be. Similar to adolescence, menopause is a transition into the next phase of your life. For some, menopause can be empowering.

Beginning as early as your 40s, you may notice changes in your menstrual periods, as well as other changes in your body. This includes things such as the interval between periods getting shorter, skipping periods, and longer or heavier periods; hot flashes and night sweats; sleep disturbances; a low sex drive; mood disturbances; and trouble losing weight.

Once your periods have stopped for at least one year, then you are considered menopausal. The hormonal symptoms may linger but will usually subside. About 2-5 years after the end of your periods, other changes in your body will begin to occur. This ranges from vaginal dryness to pain with intercourse, decrease in bone density, and change in sleep patterns.

But, do not fear! There are many strategies and treatments that can make the transition into menopause and beyond very manageable. I have found that the women whose transitions into menopause are more graceful typically have similar qualities and mindsets.

There are a few things you can do before menopause to prepare yourself for the changes, the first being to learn and recognize the symptoms in yourself. Also, both understanding and learning how good nutrition, supplements, and exercise can reduce and even eliminate some of the symptoms helps. Developing healthy sleep habits and identifying and minimizing the people and situations in your life that cause you stress are two things you can and should do now. I’d also recommend talking to other women who have gone through the changes, to ask them what they have done that works for them. Lastly, make an appointment with an OB/GYN to discuss your unique situation.

And remember, ALL women go through this and you are not alone!

I've been thinking about freezing my eggs. What are the things I should consider prior to making the decision?

What a great question! It will be difficult to answer in a generalized way. For any individual considering egg freezing, I would want to know their age, health status, and motivation for doing so.

The process itself is expensive and rarely covered by insurance. Egg freezing involves a detailed consult with an OB/GYN sub specialist called a reproductive endocrinologist (REI). If you are a good candidate, then you’ll give yourself injectable hormones (for about one week) to stimulate your ovaries in order to “super ovulate.” Meaning instead of ovulating one egg, depending on your age, you could get as many as 20-25 eggs!

These eggs are “harvested” during a procedure called an egg retrieval. Under light sedation and ultrasound guidance, your REI will place a needle through the upper vagina and into the ovarian follicles where the eggs are aspirated. Then you pay a fee to keep the eggs frozen until you use or donate them. Donation of eggs is usually compensated handsomely, however, and all expenses are covered by the recipients of your eggs.

As you can tell, it’s an ordeal to go through, but it depends on why you want to do it. Some examples for why egg freezing might be right for you include preparing for treatment that will make you sterile afterwards; a medical condition that would be lethal if you became pregnant (your eggs could then be used for a surrogate pregnancy); you are young with a demanding career and you want to increase your chances of having children later; you want to donate; or your family risk of genetic disorders.

There are many other reasons! Whatever your reason is, do not be afraid to ask your OB/GYN about your specific situation and health status.

How will menopause affect my libido?

The short answer is that most women will experience a decrease in libido as they move through and beyond menopause.

The long answer is that it depends on a few factors: the frequency, comfort, enjoyment, past experience, and creativity of intimacy prior to menopause; the general health of you and your partner; the medications you take (e.g., hormone replacement therapy); alcohol and drug use; and self-image.

I will say that with a few exceptions, most women can experience a satisfying sex life well into their golden years with an open mind and willingness to seek help. That being said, for some women, as they age, intercourse becomes something they genuinely have no interest in—and that’s OK, too!

Speaking of sex drives, is there such thing as too low or too high libido?

Absolutely not! Mae West said it best: “A good man is hard to find, but a hard man is good to find.”

Everything in life is about finding your groove, your bliss, your balance. Libido is complicated and it can change in certain situations, it can change over time, and it can change depending on the time of day. What I think may be too much you might find is not enough. So, do what feels good for you, as long as you’re not breaking laws, hurting yourself, or hurting others. Also, be safe and cherish and protect your fertility. If you are still worried if your libido is “normal” or not, ask your OB/GYN … most times, they’ve heard it all.

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DREW BECQUET, AGENT

EXPERT IN HOME, AUTO, & LIFE INSURANCE 6019 S STAPLES • 361-854-4638 AGENTDREWB.COM

Windstorm Insurance in the Coastal Bend - what options do you have?

I’ve heard many times, “TWIA is my only option for windstorm insurance along the coast.” Those who‘ve uttered these words have also, with good reason, moaned and groaned about their insurance coverage after a major loss, or hurricane, like Harvey. Or, you are stuck on the receiving end of yet another rate increase for the upcoming year, such as the expected 5% increase on TWIA policies effective Jan 1st 2022. But is TWIA really your only option?

For the majority of the Coastal Bend the answer is NO, you have other options. Over the last several years private insurers such as State Farm, who represents the largest home insurer in the nation since 1942, have provided coverage including windstorm throughout the Coastal Bend. Those households who are now eligible have continued to rise in recent years.

Homeowners looking for a policy which includes windstorm coverage can call our office to see which options are available to them.

DR. LADONNA ROCHA, NATUROPATH

EXPERT IN NATURAL MEDICINE 6000 S STAPLES, STE 401 • 361-902-8899 LADONNAROCHANATUROPATH.COM

What is the benefit of working with a naturopath?

A naturopathic physician’s training is different than a conventional medicine physician. We’re trained to look at health from a foundational approach and detect the fine threads that connect all of the systems together in a web that creates balance and harmony in the body. When one system is out of alignment, it can send ripples through the rest of the body. A natural medicine doctor traces these threads back to a root cause and identifies what your unique system needs to course correct. This can be in the form of diet changes, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes. A doctor of natural medicine can specialize in many different areas just like their conventional medicine counterparts-herbalism, aromatherapy, TCM, Ayurveda, and many more. Naturopaths are a fantastic addition to your health and wellness team!

TRAVIS CRUGER

INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS@CRUGERFINANCIAL.COM 361-866-8466 • CRUGERFINANCIAL.COM

Are investments affected by inflation?

They sure are. As inflation rises, three notable effects are observed.

First, inflation reduces the real rate of return on investments. So, if an investment earned 6 percent for a 12-month period, and inflation averaged 1.5 percent over that time, the investment’s real rate of return would have been 4.5 percent.1

Second, inflation puts purchasing power at risk. When prices rise, a fixed amount of money has the power to purchase fewer and fewer goods.

Third, inflation can influence the actions of the Federal Reserve. If the Fed wants to control inflation, it may adjust short-term interest rates in an effort to promote overall economic growth. Until 2021, inflation has remained low, which has allowed the Fed to maintain low, short-term interest rates. But some are concerned that the Fed’s policies enacted during the pandemic may accelerate inflation, and they are looking for investment opportunities that have the potential to react to higher interest rates.

1. This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through NEXT Financial Group, Inc. Member FINRA/ SIPC.Cruger Financial Services is not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group, Inc.

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CROSSROADS YOGA

EXPERTS IN ALIGNMENT BASED YOGA 5830 MCARDLE RD # 3A 361-334-4067 • CROSSROADSYOGA.COM

What is Yoga and what are the benefits of a yoga practice?

Yoga is an ancient practice that links mind, body, and spirit. Yoga creates balance in the body through physical postures that develop strength and flexibility. Each posture provides specific physical and mental benefits. Everyone can benefit from the practice of classical Yoga techniques. Crossroads Yoga has classes for all levels, ages, shapes and sizes.

Our goal is to provide a yoga studio with qualified instructors from a variety of traditions and each with 15-30 years of experience. We promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through yoga. You will enjoy our sense of community as we welcome you to make Crossroads Yoga your place to practice and experience the wonderful benefits of yoga in your everyday life.

Crossroads Yoga has been a part of the Coastal Bend for 13 years. Gretchen and Paula have multiple certifications of yoga training and have taught for over 20 years.

JYNELLE ORNELAS

EXPERT IN MEDICAL/LYMPHATIC MASSAGE 602 N LOWER BROADWAY • 361-737-7813 PEACEOFMINDMASSAGECORPUSCHRISTI.COM

What is a Lymphatic massage?

A Lymphatic massage uses special movements and techniques to help manually pump and clear the lymphatic system. It improves overall health by clearing toxins that the body has stored from everyday life and stress. It regulates the balance of the fluids in the body and filters the pathogens from the blood. Failure to reduce or relieve lymphatic congestion and the protein contained in the edematous fluid promotes fibrosis and the thickening of the tissues, reduces the range of motion, and encourages the formation of contractures around joints. Lymphatic Massage is ideal for pre and post-surgery, cancer, and clients who are looking to detox and boost their immune system. As a holistic health coach, I recommend clients stay away from processed foods, red meats, and caffeine. Lean towards more of a whole foods intake. With plenty of spring water, matcha, or turmeric & black pepper hot teas to maintain their lymphatic systems.

GREGG LINDSEY, CPA

EXPERT IN TAXES 5401 HULEN DRIVE • 361-993-1604 GREGG@LINDSEYCPAS.COM

What are some Year End Tax Planning Tips for next year?

The 2020 Cares Act allows an additional $300 deduction in charitable contributions made in cash for those who don’t itemize, $600 for couples. Those who Itemize can contribute up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income.

Teachers can deduct up to $250 in qualified education expenses and personal protection equipment is now included.

Contributions, up to $6,000 for those under 50 and $7,000 for those 50 and over, can be made to a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. There are restrictions based on income and whether you have a retirement plan at work. The deadline for making a 2021 contribution is April 18, 2022.

Required Minimum Distributions were suspended in 2020 but are required again for 2021. If you haven’t already taken this year’s RMD, make sure you do so by December 31. The penalty is 50% of the shortage.

Review your investment portfolio to take advantage of Capital Gains Rates by selling appreciated positions and even harvesting losses to limit the overall gain.

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