#Role of hormones in breast development

[excomingback]

Estrogen Role in Breast Development: What You Need to Know

When I was young, seeing my body change was both thrilling and scary. The growth of my breasts marked a big step into womanhood. However, I didn’t fully grasp what was happening. Now, I see how important estrogen is for breast growth in women’s lives. This hormone not only influences the start of breast development before birth but also shapes changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.…

[the-scottish-costume-guy]

I'm really confused about gender stuff? Is gender real or not - and if its real how can people 'play with it'? How can someone want to be a man with breasts or a woman with a penis? /gen

(Guys I have to google tone indicators if you send them, please just use the full word if you want to indicate tone. Nobody I know uses them so I don't really learn them). Gender is 'real' but its a social construct - it's real in the same way money is real, or that a 'high street' is real, or that concepts of 'justice' are real. If humans didn't exist neither would any of those things, and at any time we can decide those things mean different things or can be used in different ways. (E.g. Money's value fluctuates, which street even is the 'high street' can change as places expand, and the ethical concepts that define justice are relevant to the place and time that develops them). You can play with gender because its a very fluid, loosely defined concept. We are in the midst of a collective reinterpretation of what the boundaries of gender are! For some it's a bioessentialist concept (gender is inseparable from one of two biological sexes - this concept rarely takes into account a wider array of biological sexes) which I could take a lot of time critiquing. The short version of that, is that bioessentialism is used to create a false dichotomy in which women are assigned one thing, and men another - due to the complex diversity inherent in people (even excluding trans and intersex people) its impossible to meaningfully define man or woman in a way that doesn't exclude someone that should be in one category, or includes someone that shouldn't. Dissatisfaction with categories of gender stretches back as far as human history goes - particularly visible in sports, politics, occupations, but also in social expectation and the formation of gender roles. The only way to pick apart these rigid categories is to experiment outside of them, and to explore what gender means on an individual basis - rather than conforming to the previous rigid definition. For many people nothing will change, for some that means embracing being a man with breasts, a woman with a penis, or wishing to be those things if they aren't something you were born with. If you separate gender from the physical, then both the physical and your gender become something you can explore independently. Plenty of people want larger or smaller breasts - but we only judge it as 'odd' when someone who has them wants rid of them completely (unless they are a cisgender man who has them due to something like a hormone imbalance) or if someone we think 'shouldn't' have them wants them. It's not much different to that - though please be aware everyone's feelings/experiences are different.

[mariacallous]

A little bit of alcohol was once thought to be good for you. However, as scientific research advances, we’re gaining a clearer picture of alcohol’s effect on health—especially regarding cancer.

The complex relationship between alcohol and cancer was recently highlighted in a new report from the American Association for Cancer Research. The report’s findings are eye-opening.

The authors of the report estimate that 40 percent of all cancer cases are associated with “modifiable risk factors”—in other words, things we can change ourselves. Alcohol consumption being prominent among them.

Six types of cancer are linked to alcohol consumption: head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and stomach cancer.

The statistics are sobering. In 2019, more than one in 20 cancer diagnoses in the West were attributed to alcohol consumption, and this is increasing with time. This figure challenges the widespread perception of alcohol as a harmless social lubricant and builds on several well-conducted studies linking alcohol consumption to cancer risk.

But this isn’t just about the present—it’s also about the future. The report highlights a concerning trend: rising rates of certain cancers among younger adults. It’s a plot twist that researchers like me are still trying to understand, but alcohol consumption is emerging as a potential frontrunner in the list of causes.

Of particular concern is the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer among adults under 50. The report notes a 1.9 percent annual increase between 2011 and 2019.

While the exact causes of this trend are still being investigated, research consistently shows a link between frequent and regular drinking in early and mid-adulthood and a higher risk of colon and rectal cancers later in life. But it’s also important to realize this story isn’t a tragedy.

It’s more of a cautionary tale with the potential for a hopeful ending. Unlike many risk factors for cancer, alcohol consumption is one we can control. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake can lower the risk, offering a form of empowerment in the face of an often unpredictable disease.

The relationship between alcohol and cancer risk generally follows a dose-response pattern, meaning simply that higher levels of consumption are associated with greater risk. Even light to moderate drinking has been linked to increased risk for some cancers, particularly breast cancer.

Yet it’s crucial to remember that while alcohol increases cancer risk, it doesn’t mean everyone who drinks will develop cancer. Many factors contribute to cancer development.

Damages DNA

The story doesn’t end with these numbers. It extends to the very cells of our bodies, where alcohol’s journey begins. When we drink, our bodies break down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a substance that can damage our DNA, the blueprint of our cells. This means that alcohol can potentially rewrite our DNA and create changes called mutations, which in turn can cause cancer.

The tale grows more complex when we consider the various ways alcohol interacts with our bodies. It can impair nutrient and vitamin absorption, alter hormone levels, and even make it easier for harmful chemicals to penetrate cells in the mouth and throat. It can affect the bacteria in our guts, the so-called microbiome, that we live with and is important for our health and well-being.

Alcohol consumption is also linked to other aspects of our own health and lifestyle and it’s important not just to consider this alone. Tobacco use and smoking, for instance, can significantly amplify the cancer risks associated with alcohol. Genetic factors play a role too, with certain variations affecting how our bodies metabolize (break down) alcohol.

Physical inactivity and obesity, often associated with heavy drinking, also separately increase cancer risks but on top of alcohol makes this much worse. Despite this, misconceptions persist. The type of alcoholic beverage, be it beer, wine, or spirits, doesn’t significantly alter the cancer risk. It’s the ethanol (the chemical name for alcohol) itself that’s carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

And while some studies have suggested that red wine might have protective effects against certain diseases, there’s no clear evidence that it helps prevent cancer.

The potential risks of alcohol consumption probably outweigh any potential benefits. The takeaway is not that we should never enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with friends. Rather, it’s about being aware of the potential risks and making choices that align with our health goals. It’s about moderation, mindfulness, and informed decisionmaking.

Alcohol has lots of effects not just in terms of causing cancer. A recent large study of more than 135,000 older drinkers in the UK has shown that the more people drink, the higher the risk of death from any cause.

These and similar findings underscore the importance of public awareness and education about the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption. As our understanding of the alcohol-cancer link grows, it becomes increasingly clear that what many consider a harmless indulgence may have more significant health implications than previously thought.

Unfortunately, not many people appear to be aware of these risks. In the US, around half of people don’t know that alcohol increases the risk of cancer. Clearly, a lot of work needs to be done to overcome this lack of awareness.

[serpentface]

What does Jazaiti social structure look like, irt mothers? Or like, what role do they play

Some things to be clear on beforehand:

Child: a young Jazait is considered functionally genderless and occupies this age-gender group until puberty. A child is classified as a man when testes descend (though occupies a secondary ‘young man’ space until full completion of puberty). A child becomes a woman at completion of baseline female puberty (having a fully developed mane and having undergone a growth spurt). Man: gender assignment for adult individuals with a penis and testes. They will be wed to mothers. Woman: gender assignment for adult individuals with vaginas who do NOT have active estrus cycles. Most will remain women throughout their lives and be unwed, some will become mothers. Mother: gender assignment for individuals with vaginas who DO have active estrus cycles (considered a mother regardless of if they have actually had children or not). A woman can become a mother and all mothers were once women, but these are distinct and separate gender roles. Elder mother: not a specific gender role- a post-fertile mother who no longer has an active estrus cycle. Clanmother: not a specific gender role- the current eldest mother in any given clan, who acts as its leader.

In typical elowey development, sexually mature males + nonreproductive females are minimally dimorphic, and sexual traits apart from genitalia are usually indistinct. Average size and build is approximately the same, females tend to have larger cuspids. The most strongly dimorphic feature is in scent, with most adult males and females having distinct smells.

Reproductive females on the other hand are more strongly dimorphic- there is typically an additional growth spurt and gain of body fat/muscle, voices deepen, manes grow longer and thicker, nipples grow longer and some breast tissue is accumulated (though not as much as humans, elowey only have fully developed breasts during lactation). Their scent is also distinct from males and nonreproductive females.

All elowey undergo puberty that results in an individual becoming sexually mature and physiologically capable of reproduction, but the estrus/ovulation cycles of females are hormonally suppressed by proximity of a reproductive female. A female’s estrus cycle will initiate on its own with time in the absence of a reproductive female, and will be directly initiated through sexual activity. Non-reproductive females will typically have a sex drive equivalent to a reproductive female when not in estrus- sex may be desirable in being physically pleasurable or as an act of affection, but baseline libido levels are low. Hormonal suppression cannot completely preclude the initiation of estrus (though will typically cause it to be irregular) and would be supplemented by behavioral suppression (the socially dominant reproductive female preventing others from mating) in pre-behaviorally modern ancestors. Instinct towards behavioral suppression often translates into social control of female sexual activity in elowey cultures, but this is not universal.

(^^The baseline physiology described here is universal to elowey, not just Jazait)

---

Jazait culture is mother-matriarchal, in which mothers are socially and politically dominant to men and women. All women have the potential to become mothers, but most never will, and only inherit the dominant social status upon this occurring. Being a mother is reckoned as a blessed, elevated state and one that is purely natural to occupy positions of strength and leadership, with related men and women being better suited for supporting roles and exacting her will.

Mothers have greater religious status in society and are deemed to be beings made in the sun-mother's image, who is the creator god in Jazaiti religious belief (accompanied by one other (non-creator) god, the moon-father(s), understood as one and three beings and her husband(s)). Their fertility is reckoned as being a gift from the sun-mother. This blessing extends beyond procreation and allows for mothers to work through the sun-mother to encourage needed growth and new life (in fish stocks, livestock, agriculture and forage, singing down the rains, etc). Jazaiti religion (and culture itself) is heavily decentralized, and a clanmother will be the spiritual leader of any given family group and will impart accumulated religious knowledge of generations onto her descendants.

The use of scent glands has strong applications in Jazait culture, particularly in the case of a clanmother. A clanmother will undergo a yearly ceremony in which she journeys around the limits of her clan's land and applies wrist gland secretions along the way, enforcing a protective ring that dissuades the entrance of evil spirits and forms a metaphysical boundary, a sense of 'here' and 'there'. She will also mark the faces of newborn children as means of fully initiating and accepting them into the clan. In any case where a person, place, or thing needs spiritual enforcement as belonging to a clan, this task falls to the clanmother. Any mother's scent is regarded as having properties of blessing, particularly in association with fertility.

A mother's status will generally be passed onto her eldest daughter upon completing rites of initiation, who will be wed and move out of her mothers household (thus eliminating hormonal suppression and allowing for sexual contact to more rapidly initiate estrus). The clanmother has the ultimate say in whether other daughters can become mothers, and will make this decision on a variety of factors- reading the will of the sun-mother, their own opinion on the daughter's suitability for the role, political strategy and necessity (or lack thereof) for additional marriages with another clan, and material concerns of territory and sustenance (a clan can only sustain so many families, with only the wealthiest and most powerful clans having many mothers therein).

This society has a clan system wherein the eldest mother (usually past reproductive age) has the primary and final say in the affairs of her clan. Her husbands will be considered clanfathers and have an elevated rank among other men in the clan. Clans follow a rank hierarchy of clanmother > mothers > clanfathers > husbands > women and unwed men > children.

The number of men is highly disproportionate to the number of mothers, and as such most marriages are polyandrous. One’s number of husbands is usually directly proportionate to one’s wealth, both in indicating access to resources to sustain a large family, and in practical measure, as a dowry is paid to the mother of each male spouse. Husbands will be absorbed into their wife’s clan (though this establishes ties and responsibilities with his former clan), and kinship is matrilineal and makes no distinction between children of different husbands.

A child’s biological father will often be circumstantially known, but this direct relation is not of great importance as each husband is considered a father to all associated children. Due to potential ambiguity in fatherhood and purely matrilineal descent, extramaritial affairs are not of substantial consequence and resulting children will not be considered bastards, but this this is generally frowned upon as lowly and undignified behavior.

Clans are typically very large and spread widely with clan-affiliated families occupying vast territories. Different mothers in the same clan do not directly interact on a regular basis and typically only assemble for festivities and rites, or to discuss matters of utmost importance in person. They will instead use their husbands as messengers (often one husband ends up specifically designated as a messenger, which is a loosely esteemed status as this will often indicate the greatest trust and affection).

The Jazait have no specified warrior culture (this doesn’t mean conflict is nonexistant, just that there is no strongly developed traditions surrounding it). Most women and men will have learned basic self defense and will know how to handle a spear or knife, and will fill roles of warriors in times of conflict. Mothers tend to be protected from directly engaging in combat, and will act as commanders and mediators in all but the most dire of circumstances. Mothers entering combat is a common narrative motif in Jazait storytelling and folklore, used to demonstrate the profound gravity of a conflict.

All members of a family/clan participate in childcare, with married men and mothers being the primary childrearers and the most involved in the domestic sphere and near the home (producing textiles, cooking, farm labor, etc). Women perform the majority of non-domestic labor (in traditional subsistence, this will be fishing, leviathan hunting, foraging, and some herding). This is not itself a gendered role and is partially just pragmatism- most women will go their entire lives without becoming mothers (and will thus be unmarried), while most men will be married, so there’s a greater proportion of women available for tasks away from the home.

The sexual behavior of men and especially women is strongly controlled. Men are expected to solely engage in potentially reproductive behavior with mothers, and women are expected to engage in no sexual behavior with men whatsoever (unless in the context of becoming mothers, as dictated and approved by their own). A woman who becomes pregnant without her mother's consent will technically become a mother (as this act will have been in the context of the estrus cycle self-initiating via sexual contact, and the resulting physical changes will occur), but this is deeply shameful and the theft of a great gift, and will typically result in her exile from the clan, and she and her children being clanless (conceptually close to ‘bastard’ status). This status is effectively permanent and may be socially and materially devastating, depriving the mother and child from their support network and the core unit of Jazait society. The only potential salvation occurs if the father’s clanmother makes the decision to accept the clanless child (and sometimes mother) into her own clan.

Clanless Jazait often form their own communities as means for mutual support, or may be strongly driven to turn to finding work amid other peoples as means of supporting themselves and their children. A significant proportion of Jazait who participate in Imperial Wardi society are clanless, and most established Jazait diasporic communities are at least partly Wardinized- no communities at large are fully assimilated into Wardi culture, but most participate in Wardi-esque marriage patterns as a means of sustaining their communities in this different cultural/subsistence context, and many have adopted syncretic Jazaiti-Wardi faith systems.

There is no direct stigma towards homosexual behavior, though it will be seen as more natural between women (having no other sexual outlets) than between men. While homosexual behavior itself is unstigmatized, men and mothers are fully expected to play reproductive roles in a marriage, and women tasked with becoming mothers (which will involve sexual activity with a man via their first husband) have little say in the matter.

The conceptualization of gender is a strict trinary, with no specified roles that divergence from the man - woman - mother construction. The status of intersex people depends on their variation- many intersex traits will go unnoticed or interpreted as infertility (especially due to minimal sexual dimorphism between males and non-reproductive females), and others tend to be interpreted as negative physical abnormalities.

[lifewithchronicpain]

Why are women more likely than men to suffer from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other chronic pain conditions?

Various theories have been proposed over the years, such as gender bias in healthcare, the lingering effects of childhood trauma, and women “catastrophizing” about their pain more than men.

Now there’s a new theory, which could radically change how men and women are treated for pain.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal BRAIN, researchers at University of Arizona Health Sciences identified two substances – prolactin and orexin B – that appear to make mice, monkeys and humans more sensitized to pain. Prolactin is a hormone that promotes breast development and lactation in females; while orexin B is a neurotransmitter that helps keep us awake and stimulates appetite.

Both males and females have prolactin and orexin, but females have much higher levels of prolaction and males have more orexin. In addition to promoting lactation and wakefulness, both substances also appear to play a role in regulating nociceptors, specialized nerve cells near the spinal cord that produce pain when they are activated by a disease or injury.

“Until now, the assumption has been that the driving mechanisms that produce pain are the same in men and women,” says Frank Porreca, PhD, research director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction at UA Health Sciences. “What we found is that the basic, underlying mechanisms that result in the perception of pain are different in male and female mice, in male and female nonhuman primates, and in male and female humans.” (Read more at link)

I’m one of those women with fibromyalgia and IBS, and that’s just to start. I hope this leads to more effective and lest stigmatized medicine. I can wait just get it done!

[catboybiologist]

Have you seen any research or documentation on progesterone in mtf hrt? I've seen some people online swear by it, but caution that you shouldn't start too soon. I'm personally considering it, but cautious about jumping the gun. If you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

So first off, I am not a medical professional.

The tl;Dr is that there has been no conclusive formal study on progesterone's effects when used in HRT, but there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence that it increases breast size and improves mood regulation.

The reason why you don't add progesterone until later in HRT is because the progesterone receptor is regulated by estrogen. Without sufficient time on estrogen, progesterone is useless. It's like giving your body keys before you have doors to open them with. Ya gotta spend some time building those locks. Or something. I'm bad with metaphors. But anyways.

Generally, for these questions, all I'm doing is summarizing information from the UCSF trans healthcare guidelines, or going like one citation layer deep.

Key quotes from here:

"There have been no well-designed studies of the role of progestogens in feminizing hormone regimens. Many transgender women and providers alike report an anecdotal improved breast and/or areolar development, mood, or libido with the use of progestogens."

"....the risks of using progestogens in transgender women are likely minimal or even absent"

The "villain" of the progesterone story is DHT, an androgen that activates the same receptors as testosterone and therefore largely has the same effects. Excess progesterone has the possibility of being metabolized into DHT. Personally.... I find it doubtful that this has a significant effect on masculinization, especially if your E levels have been stable and good for a while. My hunch is that some trans women have fluctuating E levels, and start intrinsically correlating temporary masculinization with starting prog, even though it's kinda random. There's just not enough added progesterone to make that much of a difference, considering that there's an extra step to metabolize DHT, and that it only happens in small amounts normally. But again, I have no basis for that.

One citation layer deep is this review paper (citation 17):

It's unable to draw any conclusions.

Unfortunately, these studies are going to take a while to come out, because no one's really trying to study it. Most trans woman aren't being tracked by scientists. But if my spreadsheet format is any help, maybe we can get some "citizen science" data going on self reporting? I doubt there will ever be enough. But hey, can't hurt.

In any case, progesterone is part of cis female development, menstrual cycle mood regulation, general mood regulation, and breast development. The theoretical basis is sound and the risks are minimal. My personal vibe on it is that there's no reason not to start it after 6 months or so of sufficiently high blood estrogen levels.

[nekotaylor]

Genetic Factors in Trans Breast Development

Genetic factors play a significant role in determining breast shape and size in transgender women, just as they do in cisgender women. However, the specific genetic contributions may differ due to the distinct hormonal and developmental pathways involved in transgender women’s breast development.

Heritability: Breast size and shape are moderately heritable, with estimates ranging from 40% to 60%. This means that genetic factors contribute significantly to the variability in breast size and shape, even among transgender women.

Genetic variants: Large-scale genotyping studies have identified several genetic loci associated with breast size and shape. For example, a study found a new locus at 22q13.2 associated with female breast size. However, it is essential to note that these findings are primarily based on cisgender women and may not directly translate to transgender women.

Hormonal influences: Cross-sex hormone therapy (estrogen and antiandrogens) plays a crucial role in shaping breast development in transgender women. Genetic factors may interact with hormonal influences to modulate breast growth and shape.

Predicting Breast Shape and Size in Transgender Women

Currently, there is no reliable method to predict breast shape and size in transgender women based solely on genetic factors. The complexity of breast development, influenced by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, makes prediction challenging.

Individual variability: Breast development in transgender women exhibits significant individual variability, even among those receiving similar hormone therapy regimens.

Limited genetic data: While genetic studies have identified associations with breast size and shape, the available data are primarily based on cisgender women, and the applicability to transgender women is unclear.

Hormonal and environmental factors: Breast development in transgender women is heavily influenced by hormonal and environmental factors, such as age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and treatment regimen. These factors can interact with genetic predispositions to modulate breast growth and shape.

In conclusion, genetic factors do influence breast shape and size in transgender women, but the specific contributions are not well understood due to limited data and the complexity of breast development. Currently, there is no reliable method to predict breast shape and size based solely on genetic factors. Instead, individualized assessments and follow-up evaluations are necessary to monitor breast development in transgender women undergoing hormone therapy.

[beardedmrbean]

Medical professionals were aware of at least one case of cancer thought to be linked to a hormonal medication taken to aid gender transitioning, leaked documents from a worldwide transgender nonprofit organization suggest.

In a report released on Monday, the think tank Environmental Progress published hundreds of messages it said were from an internal forum of members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), in which they discussed gender-affirming treatment and the complications that had arisen from particular cases.

The report comes amid a national debate on gender-affirming health care, as states across the U.S. have introduced legislation to limit treatment for young people who identify as transgender.

Among the messages is one, dated February 24, 2022, in which a person—identified by the report as a doctor—said a colleague developed hepatocarcinomas, or liver tumors, after eight to 10 years of taking testosterone.

"To the best of my knowledge, it was linked to his hormonal treatment," the message said. "Unfortunately I don't have much more details since it was so advanced that he opted for palliative care and died a couple months after."

Newsweek could not independently verify the authenticity of the messages, which appear in the report as screenshots and printouts, and many have names redacted.

When approached for comment, a WPATH spokesperson did not confirm the veracity of the messages, but said it "stand[s] opposed to individuals who misrepresent and de-legitimize the diverse identities and complex needs of this population through scare tactics."

A potential link between testosterone—which regulates pubic development, and which biological males produce naturally more than females—and liver cancer has been noted before.

A 2020 paper published in The Lancet detailed one case in which a 17-year-old transgender man developed liver tumors after taking testosterone. The patient was advised to stop taking testosterone, and the study said the relationship between the hormone and the tumor growth was unknown.

Another study, published in October, found cases in which transgender individuals receiving hormone therapies developed liver tumors, but it said the results were "not sufficient to conclude that there is an association" between the two.

Gender-affirming hormone therapies have also been linked to other forms of cancer—though research has so far been inconclusive.

A 2019 study of transgender adults in Amsterdam found there was an "increased risk of breast cancer in trans women" who had received hormone therapy compared to biological men.

However, last year, another study in the U.S. found that while there were signs of cellular changes with some hormone treatments, testosterone "does not appear to increase risk for breast cancer" and "additional studies are needed to investigate the mechanism responsible for these changes at a cellular level and its role in cancer development."

The message referring to a case of liver cancer was seemingly in response to an earlier one, posted in December 2021, detailing an instance of a 16-year-old patient who had developed hepatic adenomas, benign liver lesions, after being on testosterone for a little over a year and a synthetic form of progesterone.

Hepatic adenomas are rare, but they are associated with oral contraceptive pills and are seen in patients treated with anabolic steroids, according to the National Library of Medicine.

In the messages, the WPATH members discussed academic papers, asked for advice on issues surrounding gender-affirming care and shared their professional experiences. Environmental Progress said the leaks showed members appeared to be improvising treatments and, in some cases, spoke out against safeguarding requirements.

Michael Shellenberger, the president and founder of Environmental Progress, said in a statement that the leaks show that WPATH members "know that the so-called 'gender-affirming care' they provide can result in life-long complications and sterility and that their patients do not understand the implications."

While proponents of gender-affirming care say that such treatments help overcome gender dysphoria—and that barriers to treatment can worsen the mental health of those who feel they are trapped in the wrong body—opponents say that a rise in young people exhibiting gender dysphoria may be in part a product of wider mental health issues that should be identified and addressed before changing a person's body.

Dr. Marci Bowers, president of WPATH, told Newsweek in a statement that it "is and has always been a science- and evidence-based organization whose recommendations are widely endorsed by major medical organizations around the world.

"We are the professionals who best know the medical needs of trans and gender diverse individuals—and stand opposed to individuals who misrepresent and de-legitimize the diverse identities and complex needs of this population through scare tactics."

Bowers added: "Gender, like genitalia, is represented by diversity. The small percentage of the population that is trans or gender diverse deserves healthcare and will never be a threat to the global gender binary."

Update 3/6/24, 4:10 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from Marci Bowers of WPATH.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Azeen Ghorayshi

Published: Jun 25, 2024

Newly released emails from an influential group issuing transgender medical guidelines indicate that U.S. health officials lobbied to remove age minimums for surgery in minors because of concerns over political fallout.

Health officials in the Biden administration pressed an international group of medical experts to remove age limits for adolescent surgeries from guidelines for care of transgender minors, according to newly unsealed court documents.

Age minimums, officials feared, could fuel growing political opposition to such treatments.

Email excerpts from members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health recount how staff for Adm. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services and herself a transgender woman, urged them to drop the proposed limits from the group’s guidelines and apparently succeeded.

If and when teenagers should be allowed to undergo transgender treatments and surgeries has become a raging debate within the political world. Opponents say teenagers are too young to make such decisions, but supporters including an array of medical experts posit that young people with gender dysphoria face depression and worsening distress if their issues go unaddressed.

In the United States, setting age limits was controversial from the start.

The draft guidelines, released in late 2021, recommended lowering the age minimums to 14 for hormonal treatments, 15 for mastectomies, 16 for breast augmentation or facial surgeries, and 17 for genital surgeries or hysterectomies.

The proposed age limits were eliminated in the final guidelines outlining standards of care, spurring concerns within the international group and with outside experts as to why the age proposals had vanished.

The email excerpts released this week shed light on possible reasons for those guideline changes, and highlight Admiral Levine’s role as a top point person on transgender issues in the Biden administration. The excerpts are legal filings in a federal lawsuit challenging Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care.

One excerpt from an unnamed member of the WPATH guideline development group recalled a conversation with Sarah Boateng, then serving as Admiral Levine’s chief of staff: “She is confident, based on the rhetoric she is hearing in D.C., and from what we have already seen, that these specific listings of ages, under 18, will result in devastating legislation for trans care. She wonders if the specific ages can be taken out.”

Another email stated that Admiral Levine “was very concerned that having ages (mainly for surgery) will affect access to care for trans youth and maybe adults, too. Apparently the situation in the U.S.A. is terrible and she and the Biden administration worried that having ages in the document will make matters worse. She asked us to remove them.”

The excerpts were filed by James Cantor, a psychologist and longstanding critic of gender treatments for minors, who used them as evidence that the international advisory group, referred to as WPATH, was making decisions based on politics, not science, in developing the guidelines.

The emails were part of a report he submitted in support of Alabama’s ban on transgender medical care for minors. No emails from Admiral Levine’s staff were released. Plaintiffs are seeking to bar Dr. Cantor from giving testimony in the case, claiming that he lacks expertise and that his opinions are irrelevant.

Admiral Levine and the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment, citing pending litigation.

Dr. Cantor said he filed the report to expose the contents of the group’s internal emails obtained by subpoena in the case, most of which remain under seal because of a protective order. “What’s being told to the public is totally different from WPATH’s discussions in private,” he said.

Dr. Marci Bowers, a gynecologic and reconstructive surgeon and the president of WPATH, rejected that claim. “It wasn’t political, the politics were already evident,” said Dr. Bowers. “WPATH doesn’t look at politics when making a decision.”

In other emails released this week, some WPATH members voiced their disagreement with the proposed changes. “If our concern is with legislation (which I don’t think it should be — we should be basing this on science and expert consensus if we’re being ethical) wouldn’t including the ages be helpful?” one member wrote. “I need someone to explain to me how taking out the ages will help in the fight against the conservative anti-trans agenda.”

The international expert group ultimately removed the age minimums in its eighth edition of the standards of care, released in September 2022. The guidelines reflected the first update in a decade and were the first version of the standards to include a dedicated chapter on medical treatment of transgender adolescents.

The field of gender transition care for adolescents is relatively new and evidence on long-term outcomes is scarce. Most transgender adolescents who receive medical interventions in the United States are prescribed puberty blocking drugs or hormones, not surgeries.

But as the number of young people seeking such treatments has soared, prominent clinicians worldwide have disagreed on issues such as the ideal timing and criteria for the medical interventions. Several countries in Europe, including Sweden and Britain, have recently placed new restrictions on gender medications for adolescents after reviews of the scientific evidence. In those countries’ health systems, surgeries are only available to patients 18 and older.

The email documents were released by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, in a challenge to the Alabama ban brought by civil rights groups including the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Southern Poverty Law Center on behalf of five transgender adolescents and their families.

Transgender rights groups have turned to the courts to block laws, like Alabama’s, that have been approved in more than 20 Republican-controlled states since 2021, but the courts have been split in their rulings.

On Monday, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear a challenge to Tennessee’s ban on youth gender medicine, which makes it a felony for doctors to provide any gender-related treatment to minors, including puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. The petition, filed by the Department of Justice, cited the WPATH guidelines among its primary “evidence-based practice guidelines for the treatment of gender dysphoria.”

Additional emails cited in the new court filings suggest that the American Academy of Pediatrics also warned WPATH that it would not endorse the group’s recommendations if the guidelines set the new age minimums.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mark Del Monte, chief executive of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pointed out that the medical group, which represents 67,000 U.S. pediatricians, had not endorsed the international guidelines because it already had its own in place.

He said the academy had sought to change the age limits in the guidelines because the group’s policies did not recommend restrictions based on age for surgeries.

Last summer, the pediatrics academy reaffirmed its own guidelines, issued in 2018, but said that it was commissioning an external review of the evidence for the first time.

The numbers for all gender-related medical interventions for adolescents have been steadily rising as more young people seek such care. A Reuters analysis of insurance data estimated that 4,200 American adolescents started estrogen or testosterone therapy in 2021, more than double the number from four years earlier. Surgeries are more rare, and the vast majority are mastectomies. or top surgeries. In 2021, Reuters estimated that 282 teenagers underwent top surgery that was paid for by insurance.

Gender-related surgeries for minors have been a focal point for some politicians. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican of Florida, has argued that surgeons should be sued for “disfiguring” children. In Texas, where parents of transgender children have been investigated for child abuse, Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has called genital surgeries in adolescents “genital mutilation.”

The final WPATH guidelines state that distress about breast development in particular has been associated in transgender teenagers with higher rates of depression, anxiety and distress.

“While the long-term effects of gender-affirming treatments initiated in adolescence are not fully known, the potential negative health consequences of delaying treatment should also be considered,” the guidelines state.

“Gender-affirming surgery is valued highly by those who need these services — lifesaving in many cases,” Dr. Bowers said.

==

Expect Levine to resign with no admission of fault and a wave of gaslighting akin to that of Claudine Gay. That is, being a martyr who is departing to avoid being a "distraction," while reframing justifiable scrutiny for ethical violations as being the beleaguered victim of a relentless campaign of bigotry.

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♂️

Impressive this coverage actually appeared in the New York Times.

[creative-anchorage]

Why are women more likely than men to suffer from fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other chronic pain conditions?   Various theories have been proposed over the years, such as gender bias in healthcare, the lingering effects of childhood trauma, and women “catastrophizing” about their pain more than men. Now there’s a new theory, which could radically change how men and women are treated for pain. In a groundbreaking study published in the journal BRAIN, researchers at University of Arizona Health Sciences identified two substances – prolactin and orexin B – that appear to make mice, monkeys and humans more sensitized to pain. Prolactin is a hormone that promotes breast development and lactation in females; while orexin B is a neurotransmitter that helps keep us awake and stimulates appetite. Both males and females have prolactin and orexin, but females have much higher levels of prolaction and males have more orexin.  In addition to promoting lactation and wakefulness, both substances also appear to play a role in regulating nociceptors, specialized nerve cells near the spinal cord that produce pain when they are activated by a disease or injury. “Until now, the assumption has been that the driving mechanisms that produce pain are the same in men and women,” says Frank Porreca, PhD, research director of the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction at UA Health Sciences. “What we found is that the basic, underlying mechanisms that result in the perception of pain are different in male and female mice, in male and female nonhuman primates, and in male and female humans.” Porreca and his colleagues made their discovery while researching the relationship between chronic pain and sleep.  Using tissue samples from male and female mice, rhesus monkeys and humans, they found that prolactin only sensitizes nociceptors in females, regardless of species, while orexin B only sensitizes the nociceptors of males. The research team then tried blocking prolactin and orexin B signaling, and found that blocking prolactin reduced nociceptor activation only in female cells, while blocking orexin B only affected the nerve cells of males. In effect, they found that there are distinctive “male” and “female” nociceptors.   “The nociceptor is actually different in men and women, different in male and female rodents, and different in male and female non human primates. That’s a remarkable concept, because what it's really telling us is that the things that promote nociceptive sensitization in a man or a woman could be totally different,” Porreca told PNN. “These are two mechanisms that we identified, but there are likely to be many, many more that have yet to be identified.” Once such mechanism could be calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRPs), a protein that binds to nerve receptors in the brain and trigger migraine pain. In a recent study, Porreca suggested that sexual differences may be the reason why migraine drugs that block CGRPs are effective in treating migraine pain in women, but are far less effective in men.   Until these differences are more fully understood, Porreca says clinical trials should be designed to have an equal number of men and women. That way differences between the sexes could be more easily recognized and applied in clinical practice. For example, therapies that block prolactin may be an effective way to treat fibromyalgia in women, while drugs that block orexin B might be a better way to treat certain pain conditions in men. “We have an opportunity to develop therapies that could be more effective in treating pain in a man or in a woman than the generalized kinds of therapies that we use now,” said Porreca. ‘I think it's critically important that these pain syndromes really be taken very seriously. And that we find better ways of treating female pain and also male pain.” 

[smut-of-fleshandfiction]

Her way or the Highway!

An authoritarian mother and her son

⚠️ !nc3st Mother & Son Tabu⚠️

My father died when I was very young in a car accident and I was left with my very loving, attentative, and caring mother. Growing up was difficult as a young man without a male role m_odel to teach me the ways of malehood. I may not be the overly aggressive type but being raised by two women does have its advantages though. I feel like and I am told that I do understand and can connect with ladies and girls my age on such a deep level.

As I moved into my teenage years and my hormones began to spaz out like everyone else I turned to porn like most other guys to deal with my constant erections…even the wind would make me hard (no reason boners). What really turned me on from the very beginning is them threesome scenes with two older women and a young guy in the middle. At first it never dawned on me as to why I was attracted to this very particular niche but that lightbulb would soon light up!

I know that it is strange to develop or have these types of feelings for both your stepmother and your own mom but, it is what it is I guess. Not every young boy gets to grow up and crawl into their parent’s bed and have two sets of breasts popped out of their mother’s tops! Or sleep topless anyways and be comforted back to sleep nestled in between to bare chested women! That is why I believe that this fascination turned obsession as I would come to realize as I stroked myself to these videos. Now I was not only enjoying the orgasm and the spectacle on the screen but I was placing myself in that scene with my two very special ladies.

Both moms have walked into my room and caught me masturbating several times. They do have a strict “no locked doors in my house” policy as this also applies to their bedroom. And yes, I have on several occasions caught one going down on or both, toy play, and a slew of other sexual things that can happen between two ladies in a relationship. There is so much material in the spank bank I must add! It is one to watch it on a screen and another to witness it in person!

It was almost a week ago when I left my phone on the kitchen counter as I was taking the trash to the road to be picked up. I was viewing Pornhub but was on a taboo page I have subscribed to. When I came back inside and noticed that my own mother was no longer in the kitchen and my phone has been moved I panicked! “Oh shit!” I thought to myself as I sat at a stool and began biting my nails, “she knows!” And both of them in my perception has been avoiding me for days.

Last night though my own mother came into my room late at night. It was on Saturday so, like usual nights I was jerking off to taboo porn and was caught again! My mother at the doorway requested that I not put my cock away. I was in embarrassment and now also in confusion and the room began to seem to spin. She approached my bed and just stared at it in my hand. No expression at first, but after what seemed an eternity, a mix of curiosity yet playfulness came across her face and voice as she crawled onto my bed and knelt in front of me between my open legs.

Mom replaces my hand with hers, gives it a very soft few full length strokes and says to me, “I do know about your little secret sexual admiration and curiosity for both me and your stepmother.” Just when I couldn’t be more embarrassed and uncomfortable, yet at the same time turned on and relieved! She gently licks the tip and gives me a few more strokes, “You are my only child and my son and I love you.” Another soft lick, “but, if we are going to do this as a family I am setting some ground rules and it’s either agree to the terms and abide or it’s the highway!”

Before I even hear the terms the entire length of my cock disappears into her mouth until she gags. “OMFG!” I say out loud without even thinking or hesitation. “Whatever the terms are…YES! Oh my God!”

My cock emerges from her very satisfying feeling mouth and stroking me until orgasm she tells me. “I come first as your own mother! You will please me to my satisfaction when needed and no excuses! Your stepmother has agreed to also sleep with you but only in a threesome with me! And, you have to keep all of this a secret and tell NO ONE! Can you agree to all of that?” I nod and tense up as I have never came like this before!

[getzealthy]

The Role of Protein-Rich Foods in Semaglutide-Fueled Weight Loss

Semaglutide, a medication originally developed for managing Type 2 diabetes, has gained significant attention for its weight loss benefits. However, to maximize its effectiveness, a supportive diet is essential. Protein-rich foods play a crucial role in enhancing the weight loss effects of Semaglutide, making them an indispensable part of your dietary plan. In this article, we’ll explore why protein matters, how it complements Semaglutide, and highlight the best foods to eat on Semaglutide for sustainable weight loss.

Why Protein Matters for Weight Loss

Protein is a vital macronutrient that supports multiple bodily functions, especially during weight loss. Its benefits include:

1. Increased Satiety

Protein helps you feel fuller for longer by reducing the hunger hormone ghrelin and increasing appetite-regulating hormones like GLP-1, the same hormone targeted by Semaglutide. Combining protein with Semaglutide enhances feelings of fullness and minimizes overeating.

2. Muscle Preservation

When losing weight, the body can lose muscle mass along with fat. Protein helps preserve lean muscle, ensuring that the majority of weight lost comes from fat. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism.

3. Boosted Metabolism

Digesting protein requires more energy than digesting fats or carbohydrates, a phenomenon known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Including protein-rich foods in your Semaglutide-fueled diet can give your metabolism a slight boost.

How Protein-Rich Foods Complement Semaglutide

Semaglutide works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. Protein-rich foods enhance this effect by naturally stimulating GLP-1 secretion. This synergy leads to:

Enhanced appetite control

Improved blood sugar stability

Better adherence to calorie-controlled diets

When combined with a high-protein diet, Semaglutide can deliver faster and more sustainable weight loss results.

Best Protein-Rich Foods to Eat on Semaglutide

To ensure your diet aligns with Semaglutide’s benefits, focus on these protein-rich options:

1. Lean Meats

Chicken Breast: Low in fat and high in protein, chicken breast is an excellent choice for weight loss.

Turkey: Another lean meat option that’s rich in protein and low in calories.

2. Fish and Seafood

Salmon: Packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon promotes heart health while keeping you full.

Tuna: A convenient, protein-dense food that’s perfect for quick meals or snacks.

Shrimp: Low-calorie and high in protein, shrimp is an ideal addition to a weight loss diet.

3. Eggs

Eggs are versatile, nutrient-rich, and an affordable source of high-quality protein. They’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a meal component.

4. Dairy Products

Greek Yogurt: High in protein and probiotics, Greek yogurt supports digestion and satiety.

Cottage Cheese: A low-fat, protein-packed dairy option that’s easy to incorporate into meals.

5. Plant-Based Proteins

Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and black beans are rich in protein and fiber, making them a filling and nutritious choice.

Tofu and Tempeh: Excellent options for vegetarians and vegans, these soy-based proteins are versatile and nutrient-dense.

Quinoa: A complete protein that’s also gluten-free and rich in fiber.

6. Nuts and Seeds

While calorie-dense, nuts and seeds like almonds, chia seeds, and flaxseeds provide plant-based protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Consume them in moderation.

How to Incorporate Protein-Rich Foods Into Your Diet

1. Prioritize Protein at Every Meal

Ensure that each meal contains a significant protein source to maintain satiety and support muscle preservation.

2. Snack Smart

Choose protein-rich snacks like boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, or a handful of nuts to curb hunger between meals.

3. Combine Protein With Fiber

Pair protein with fiber-rich foods like vegetables or whole grains to enhance satiety and support digestion.

4. Plan and Prep Meals

Prepping meals with a focus on protein ensures you stay consistent with your dietary goals while on Semaglutide.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

While protein-rich foods are beneficial, it’s essential to avoid processed and high-fat protein sources, such as:

Fried meats

Processed deli meats (e.g., sausages, hot dogs)

Full-fat dairy products

Instead, opt for lean, minimally processed options to maximize weight loss benefits.

Breaking Through Weight Loss Plateaus on Semaglutide

Even with Semaglutide, weight loss plateaus can occur. Increasing protein intake is one strategy to break through a plateau. Other tips include:

Adjusting Calorie Intake: Reassess your calorie needs as your weight decreases.

Increasing Physical Activity: Incorporate resistance training to build muscle and boost metabolism.

Hydration and Sleep: Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep are essential for weight loss success.

Conclusion

Protein-rich foods play a pivotal role in enhancing the weight loss effects of Semaglutide. By prioritizing lean proteins, incorporating plant-based options, and avoiding processed choices, you can maximize the medication’s benefits and achieve sustainable results.

Discover the best foods to eat on Semaglutide and make protein a cornerstone of your dietary plan for a healthier, more successful weight loss journey!

[expertacademicassignmenthelp]

Breast Cancer

Introduction

Breast cancer, a multifaceted and prevalent disease, poses a significant health challenge globally, transcending gender lines with its potential impact. Characterized by the abnormal proliferation of cells within breast tissue, breast cancer’s complex etiology remains an area of intense study and concern. Despite notable advancements in medical science and increased awareness, it continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This comprehensive discussion aims to delve into the intricacies of breast cancer, encompassing its causes, risk factors, prevention strategies, diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and the evolving landscape of supportive care.

Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding the underlying causes and risk factors associated with breast cancer is paramount in developing effective prevention and management strategies. While the precise etiology of breast cancer remains elusive, various genetic, hormonal, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to its onset and progression. Genetic predispositions, such as mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, significantly elevate the risk of developing breast cancer. Additionally, hormonal influences, including early onset of menstruation, late menopause, and hormone replacement therapy, play a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. Lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of physical activity, and exposure to environmental carcinogens further augment the risk profile.

Preventive Measures

Empowering individuals with knowledge about preventive measures is essential in mitigating the burden of breast cancer. Promoting regular breast self-examinations, clinical breast examinations, and mammographic screenings facilitates early detection and intervention. Emphasizing lifestyle modifications, including maintaining a healthy weight, adopting a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol intake, and engaging in regular physical activity, can reduce the risk of breast cancer. For individuals with a heightened risk due to genetic predispositions or familial history, prophylactic surgeries, such as mastectomy or oophorectomy, and chemo preventive agents offer viable preventive options.

Diagnostic Modalities

Advances in diagnostic modalities have revolutionized the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, enabling prompt initiation of treatment and improved clinical outcomes. Mammography remains the cornerstone of breast cancer screening, capable of detecting abnormalities such as microcalcifications, masses, or architectural distortions. Complementary imaging techniques, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular breast imaging (MBI), enhance diagnostic accuracy, particularly in women with dense breast tissue or high-risk profiles. Biopsy procedures, such as core needle biopsy or surgical excision, facilitate histopathological examination, enabling precise diagnosis and classification of breast lesions.

Treatment Options

Tailoring treatment strategies to individual patient characteristics and disease parameters is essential in optimizing therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer. The treatment landscape encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, integrating surgical, medical, and radiation oncology interventions. Surgical options range from breast-conserving surgeries, such as lumpectomy or segmental mastectomy, to radical procedures like total mastectomy or modified radical mastectomy, depending on tumor size, location, and extent of spread. Adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, aim to eradicate residual disease, prevent recurrence, and improve overall survival. Radiation therapy, administered either postoperatively or as a primary modality in selected cases, targets residual tumor cells, minimizing locoregional recurrence rates.

Supportive Care and Survivorship

Recognizing the holistic needs of breast cancer patients and survivors is integral in promoting comprehensive care and ensuring optimal quality of life. Supportive care interventions, including symptom management, psychosocial support, nutritional counseling, and rehabilitation services, address the multifaceted challenges associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Survivorship programs, focusing on survivorship care planning, surveillance for recurrence, long-term monitoring of treatment-related complications, and health promotion initiatives, facilitate the transition from active treatment to survivorship. Engaging patients and caregivers in survivorship care planning fosters empowerment, resilience, and a sense of agency in navigating the post-treatment phase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, breast cancer represents a formidable health challenge with profound implications for affected individuals, families, and communities worldwide. While significant strides have been made in understanding its pathophysiology, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, and expanding treatment options, concerted efforts are warranted to address existing gaps in prevention, early detection, and access to care. By fostering collaborative partnerships among stakeholders, advocating for evidence-based interventions, and promoting health equity, we can strive towards a future where breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are substantially reduced. Through continued innovation, education, and advocacy, we can transform the landscape of breast cancer care, offering hope, support, and healing to those impacted by this pervasive disease.

We wish you all the best in your medical education journey. In case you need any guidance or assistance during the learning process, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Email at;

williamsassignmenthelpfredrick@gmail.com

[tobacconist]

am i allowed to say this?

word to the begendered: you cannot name yourself. it is not your name until another calls you by it. gender is an internal feeling, which cannot be counterfeited; but it is also something which is explicitly visible to anyone who sees/knows you - and, yes, it is a spectrum. what you feel inside will eventually show on the outside, even if you try to hide it, oftentimes especially so.

old women grow beards. fat men have breasts. it is an unspoken fact that most women over the age of 40 and most men under the age of 20 are indistinguishable from transvestites. masculine characteristics are acquired, feminine characteristics are innate.

are... are you sure? adult men are like ripe bananas which cause other fruits in the bowl to ripen with them. i dont even mean this in a sexual way, i mean physiologically, being in predominantly male company causes an observable hormonal shift which affects the rate of sexual maturity, and this applies to both sexes, and this is well known. it is comparable to the hormonal shift which occurs in the presence of babies and young children, which is known to cause other women to lactate in sympathy, and to make even hard men become soft.

there is a psychological difference between men and women, but this difference barely exists in the modern day. in all primitive cultures, gender roles have been strictly enforced, and all the ceremonies and rites of passage involved. the reason for this, to be frank, was the development of a perfectly masculine or feminine brain. a Man is simple, and easy to deal with. a Woman is simple, and almost as easy.

and know that the androgyne displays the best and the worst of both masculinity and femininity. and being wise they themselves should know this.

and contemplate deeply the mystery of the methyl-jasmonate.

but i never told you this.

[eliteayurveda]

11 Skin Conditions You’ve Almost Certainly Never Heard Of

Millions of people in India suffer from at least one skin condition. You’ve probably heard of the more common ones, such as acne, eczema, and rosacea. In fact, there’s a strong possibility you have one yourself.

There are also a number of uncommon skin problems that you may be unaware of. They can range in severity from minor to fatal. They can have an impact on the quality of life of persons who develop them in some situations.

Continue reading for an overview of some of these lesser-known conditions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes lesions to grow on skin-to-skin contact points on the body. The following are the most prevalent locations for breakouts:

underarms, groin, buttocks, upper thighs, and breasts

Although the etiology of HS is uncertain, hormones are likely to play a role in its development because it often begins around puberty.

The illness affects up to 2% of the population. It is especially common in those who are obese or who smoke. Women are more than three times as likely than men to have HS.

Genetics and the immune system are thought to play a role in who gets the condition.

DID YOU KNOW?

People who have hidradenitis suppurativa are more likely to have specific conditions (or comorbidities), such as:

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) acne

Acne conglobata, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and pilonidal sinus disease are all part of the follicular occlusion tetrad (a collection of inflammatory skin disorders).

metabolic disorder

PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)

Type 2 diabetes with squamous cell carcinoma of the afflicted skin

The first signs of HS are outbreaks that resemble pimples or boils. These outbreaks could remain on the skin or fade and recur.

If neglected, more severe symptoms like scarring, infection, and breakouts that rupture and produce a foul-smelling fluid might develop.

There is presently no cure for HS, however there are several therapy options to assist control symptoms. These are some examples:

topical ointments, anti-inflammatory medications, injectable biologics, and hormone therapy

In more severe situations, surgery may be recommended.

Psoriasis inversa

Intertriginous psoriasis is another name for inverse psoriasis. This illness, like HS, causes red sores on regions of the body where skin touches skin. These lesions do not resemble boils. They appear smooth and gleaming.

Many persons who have inverse psoriasis have at least one other type of psoriasis on their body. Experts aren’t clear what causes psoriasis, but genetics and the immune system both play a role.

Psoriasis affects roughly 3% of the world’s population, and 3–7% of those with psoriasis have inverse psoriasis.

Because the skin in high-friction parts of the body is sensitive, treating the condition can be challenging. Steroid creams and topical ointments can be beneficial, but they can also cause unpleasant irritation if used excessively.

People with more severe inverse psoriasis may also require UVB light therapy or injectable biologics to manage their illness.

Harlequin ichthyosis

Harlequin ichthyosis is an uncommon genetic condition that causes children to be born with rough, thick skin covered in diamond-shaped scales.

These plates, which are separated by deep fissures, can shape their eyelids, mouth, nose, and ears. They can also impede limb and chest movement.

Around 200 instances have been recorded around the world. The disorder is caused by a mutation in the ABCA12 gene, which permits the body to produce a protein required for normal skin cell formation.

The mutation hinders lipid transfer to the skin’s top layer, resulting in the scale-like plates. Because of the plates, it is more difficult to:

control water loss

combat illness by regulating body temperature

Harlequin ichthyosis is an autosomal recessive condition caused by faulty genes inherited from both parents.

Because biological carriers rarely show symptoms, genetic testing can detect changes in genes and calculate your risk of developing or passing on genetic illnesses.

A stringent regimen of skin-softening emollients and skin-repairing moisturizers is the most popular treatment for harlequin ichthyosis. Oral retinoids may also be utilized in extreme situations.

Morgellons syndrome

Morgellons disease is an uncommon ailment that causes microscopic fibers and particles to emerge from skin wounds, giving the impression that something is crawling on the skin.

The Morgellons Disease is poorly understood, although it affects nearly 14,000 families, according to the Morgellons Research Foundation.

Morgellons disease is most common in middle-aged Caucasian women. It’s also closely linked to Lyme disease.

Because the symptoms are similar to those of a mental health illness known as delusional infestation, some experts assume it is a psychological issue.

The symptoms are unpleasant but not life-threatening. Typical symptoms include:

weariness anxiety sadness itchy skin rashes or sores black fibrous substance in and on the skin

Lesions only affect one part of the body: the head, trunk, or extremities.

There is no standard treatment option for Morgellons disease because it is still poorly understood.

People suffering with the disease are usually encouraged to maintain close contact with their healthcare team and seek therapy for symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Elastoderma

Elastoderma is an uncommon disorder characterized by increased skin looseness in particular parts of the body. As a result, the skin sags or hangs down in loose folds.

It can affect any region of the body, but the neck and extremities, particularly the elbows and knees, are the most usually afflicted.

The illness affects less than one in one million persons worldwide. Elastoderma’s actual cause is unknown. It is assumed to be caused by an excess of elastin, a protein that provides structural support to organs and tissues.

Elastoderma has no cure or recommended treatment. Some people will have surgery to remove the problematic area, although the loose skin often returns after the procedure.

Pilonidal sinusitis

Pilonidal sinus illness causes small holes or tunnels at the buttocks’ base or crease. Because symptoms aren’t always clear, most people don’t seek therapy or even recognize the issue until it causes problems.

It is caused when the hair between the buttocks rubs together. The friction and pressure that results pushes the hair inside, causing it to become ingrown.

This minor illness affects 10 to 26 people in every 100,000. The majority of people with this illness are between the ages of 15 and 30, and men are twice as likely as women to have it.

It frequently affects persons who work occupations that demand long periods of sitting. It is often associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

A few things influence treatment for an infected pilonidal sinus:

signs and symptoms

the size of the abscess, if it is a new or recurring infection

In most cases, treatment entails removing any visible pus from the affected pilonidal sinus. Antibiotics, hot compresses, and topical ointments are also frequently utilized.

If you’re one of the 40% of people with the illness who has reoccurring abscesses, talk to your doctor about other surgical alternatives.

Pemphigus vegetans

Pemphigus is classified as an autoimmune illness by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)Trusted Source. It causes your immune system to target healthy epidermal cells. The epidermis is the top layer of the skin.

Lesions or blisters form where skin naturally meets or rubs together, as in HS. They can also be found in or on the:

mouth, throat, eyes, nose, and genital areas

Pemphigus vulgaris is the most common kind of pemphigus. It affects 0.1 to 2.7 persons in every 100,000.

Pemphigus vegetans, a pemphigus vulgaris variation, accounts for 1 to 2% of pemphigus cases globally.

If untreated, Pemphigus vegetans can be lethal. The treatment focuses on removing the lesions or blisters and preventing them from recurring.

Corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory steroids are frequently used as the first line of defense. In addition, you can have surgery to remove the lesions or blisters, while also cleaning and dressing the affected area on a daily basis.

Medicated mouthwash or clobetasol, a corticosteroid and ointment used to treat oral problems, are examples of mouth and throat remedies.

Crohn’s disease 

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the digestive tract.

It affects around 780,000 Indians. Every year, approximately 38,000 new cases are reported. Researchers believe that genetics, the immune system, and the environment all have a role in Crohn’s disease development.

Between 20 and 33 percent of persons with Crohn’s disease have skin lesions as a result of the condition. This is referred to as a cutaneous epidemic.

Cutaneous lesions, which resemble genital warts, appear after bowel disease has shown on the skin or another organ outside of the intestinal tract. The eyes, liver, and gallbladder are all included. It might also have an impact on the joints.

If your Crohn’s disease and lesions have metastasized, or spread, they can become painful and potentially lethal. There are currently few therapy options for this stage.

Sneddon-Wilkinson syndrome

Sneddon-Wilkinson illness is characterized by clusters of pus sores on the skin. Subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SPD) is another name for it.

Experts are unsure what is causing it. The disease, which is uncommon and sometimes misunderstood, primarily affects persons over the age of 40, particularly women. As a result, its precise prevalence is uncertain.

Soft, pus-filled pimples occur between skin that rubs together a lot, just like in HS. Skin lesions appear on the body, between skin folds, and in the vaginal area. They “explode” as a result of friction.

This popping of the lesions may be accompanied by an itchy or burning feeling. These feelings are followed by scaling and discolouration of the skin. Despite being chronic and painful, this skin ailment is not lethal.

The antibiotic dapsone is the preferred treatment for this condition, with a daily dose of 50 to 200 milligrams (mg) taken orally.

Lichen planus 

Inverse lichen planus pigmentosus is an inflammatory disorder that causes skin fold discolouration and uncomfortable pimples.

Only about 20 cases have been documented worldwide, mostly affecting Asians. Nobody knows what is causing it.

Small clusters of flat lesions, or macules, of discolored skin appear. They don’t normally contain pus, but they do occasionally. Some people’s skin spontaneously clears up with time, whilst others may experience symptoms for years.

This is a mild condition that can be addressed with a topical treatment. Corticosteroids are the most often used treatments for wound healing and can even aid with pigmentation in some situations.

Dowling-Degos syndrome

Dowling-Degos disease is a hereditary illness that causes darker skin, especially in folds such as the armpit, groin, and joint areas.

Pigment changes can also affect the neck, hands, cheeks, and scalp, albeit they are less prevalent.

The majority of the lesions are minor and resemble blackheads, however red areas resembling acne might form around the lips.

Lesions on the scalp might also look as fluid-filled lumps. Itching and burning sensations are possible.

Skin changes, like HS, occur in late childhood or early adolescence.

However, some people do not have breakouts until they reach maturity. Dowling-Degos is not a life-threatening disease, but it can cause distress and worry in those who have it.

This disease presently has no cure. Treatments ranging from laser therapy to topical steroids to retinoids have been tried, but results have been mixed, and nothing has proven to be consistently successful.

Takeaway

If you have a skin issue, pay attention to your body and treat any signs seriously.

Consult your doctor who can assist you in obtaining a diagnosis and determining the best treatment options for your specific problems.

[de-temple]

Iodized Salt: What It Is, Its Benefits and How Much You Should Eat Daily

Keeps weight under control. Your metabolism is directly affected by the healthiness of your thyroid. When you have a super high metabolism, you might not gain a healthy weight. Slower metabolism allows the body to store more fat, thus leading you to gain weight. Since your thyroid depends on a healthy dose of iodine to perform its duty, your metabolism also depends on your iodine levels.

Removes toxins and prevents bacteria. Iodized salt has a counter effect on harmful metals like mercury and lead. It acts to repel these toxins and restore the right pH level in your body. Iodized salt also helps prevent harmful bacteria from multiplying in the intestines. Research shows that harmful bacteria can cause fatigue, constipation, and headaches.

Promotes heart health and keeps you hydrated. Iodized salt helps create the hormones that regulate heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps to burn extra fat deposits that could lead to heart disease. Salt promotes healthy hydration levels and creates a balance of electrolytes. This balance is crucial for the proper functioning of the cells, muscles, tissues, and organs. All the body components require water to function, and salt helps maintain the proper water levels. Dehydration makes you more prone to dizziness, fatigue, and muscle cramps.

Health Risks of Iodized Salt Deficiency

Not having enough iodine amounts can lead to severe health conditions including:

Impaired fetal and infant development

Difficulty in learning during childhood

Fibrocystic breast disease

Radiation-induced throat cancer

Hair loss

Fatigue

Goiter

Weight gain

Increased sensitivity to cold

Dry skin

How Much Iodine Do You Need?

The amount of iodine you should consume in a day depends on your age. If you are female, pregnancy and breastfeeding also play a crucial role. Here are the recommended amounts of iodine one should take in a day:

Birth to six months: 110 micrograms

Infants 7 to 12 months: 130 micrograms

Children 1 to 8 years: 90 micrograms

9 to 13 years: 120 micrograms

Teens 14 to 18 years: 150 micrograms

Adults: 150 micrograms

Pregnant women: 220 micrograms

Breast feeding women: 290 micrograms

Do not consume salt in high amounts as it can pose a danger to your health.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-sea-salt-and-sufficient-iodine-intake/#:~:text=The%20recommended%20daily%20intake%20for,of%20iodine%20through%20their%20diets.

The recommended daily intake for adults is 150 micrograms, which can be obtained from about one-half to three-quarters of a teaspoon of table salt. Testing of the general population indicates that most Americans consume sufficient levels of iodine through their diets. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are the only groups in the U.S. that are advised to take a daily iodine supplement, usually as part of a prenatal vitamin.