People's Pharmacy

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Does Hand Washing Spread Germs?

Posting Date: 09/19/2005

Like aspirin, such drugs can cause stomach irritation and bleeding ulcers. They may also raise blood pressure. There is growing concern that some may also increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes, as Vioxx does.

Q. Vaginal dryness has made relations with my husband uncomfortable. My doctor prescribed Premarin cream to solve this problem. Although it works, I am concerned about absorbing estrogen. I understand this could be hazardous. Are there any alternatives?

A. Premarin cream contains conjugated estrogens and has long been used to treat vaginal dryness associated with menopause. Research has shown, however, that estrogen is absorbed easily from the vaginal tract. That means you are being exposed to estrogen almost as if you were taking pills.

A small study more than a decade ago compared Premarin cream to the lubricant Replens and found women were equally satisfied with the results.

We are sending you our Guides to Benefits and Risks of Estrogen plus Female Sexuality with more information on lubricants. Anyone who would like copies, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. WZ-492, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.org. Their newest book is The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies (St. Martin's Press).