Women’s health a hot topic at forum

May 08, 2008 06:59 pm

— The leading cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease, gynecologist Dr. Nabil Aboukhair said Wednesday during the Pinkbag Lunch and Women’s Health Forum.
The Cleburne Civic Center was full to capacity for the event, which was sponsored by Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital. More than 300 people attended the lunch and heard Aboukhair and family practice physician Dr. Mike White speak about women’s health.
Aboukhair discussed the effects of hormone replacement therapy on heart health, osteoporosis, cancer and overall well-being.
“Hormones are not for everybody,” Aboukhair said. “But hormone therapy offers more benefits than harm.”
White spoke about anxiety and depression, which are twice as common in women than in men, he said. Among the many possible causes of depression are hormone imbalance, abuse and postpartum depression.
“Fortunately, depression is a treatable thing,” White said. He reviewed a list of drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression and discussed the benefits and possible side effects of each drug.
Organizers said they were happy with the event, which brought out similar numbers in 2007.
“I think it was a great turnout,” organizer Sundi Forsythe said. “The speakers did a great job. I’m just really appreciative that everyone took the time out of their busy schedules to come out and do this.”