Articles by:
Charlea T. Massion, MD and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
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Rx for Change: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Diabetes, Gynecological Health, Obesity, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Rx for Change Deep Dive ArticlesPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is another name for “chronic oligoanovulation”—irregular or absent ovulation resulting in irregular or absent menstruation. PCOS may be associated with ovaries that have multiple cysts; hyperandrogenism (increased DHEA and/or testosterone); excessive facial or body hair (hirsuitism); acne; and weight gain.
Rx for Change: The ABCs of Hospice and Palliative Care
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD End of Life, End of Life Care, Older Women, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesAn 83-year- old woman dies on a ventilator in the ICU. She’s been hospitalized for five of the last six months of her life.
A 57-year-old woman with recurrent metastatic breast cancer develops cancer-related fluid inside her chest cavity. She has aggressive surgery to prevent the fluid from reaccumulating. She dies in the hospital two days later.
Browse articles by Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
Rx for Change: Throw Away Your Opioids
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Addiction, Opioids, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesAdriane just had dental surgery and the surgeon provided a prescription for Tylenol with codeine. When she told him that opioids were not better than over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers for dental pain, the surgeon argued, “But it’s such a weak opioid.” And then he said, almost to himself, “Well, I guess it does turn to morphine in the gut.”
Rx for Change: Alternatives for Chronic Pain
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Chronic Pain, Opioids, Osteoarthritis, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesWe’ve previously discussed the risks of opioids, and how pharmaceutical companies have encouraged over-prescription of these drugs that has created an opioid addiction epidemic. But what’s a person in pain to do?
Rx For Change: Obfuscating Opioid Risks
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Addiction, Opioids, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesBack when we were in training, more than 30 years ago, opioids were considered dangerous drugs that could cause addiction and life-threatening respiratory depression. Medical students were taught that opioids were very useful for end-of-life pain (especially for cancer, which can cause excruciating pain) and that they were important for a few days after surgery or a severe injury.
Rx for Change: The Real Cost of EpiPen Shots? Peanuts!
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Epinephrine, EpiPen, FDA Advocacy, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesIt’s probably not a coincidence that both FARE and AAN have received substantial financial support from EpiPen’s manufacturer. Since 2011, Mylan has provided more than $10 million to fund various “educational efforts” including donations to these two groups.
Rx for Change: Death Panel? That Would Be You!
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Death and Dying, End of Life, End of Life Option Act (EOLOA), Legalized Medical Aid, Older Women, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesMedical aid in dying is a safe and trusted practice. Laws such as EOLOA are an important component of end-of-life care, and these carefully crafted processes can have positive results.
Rx for Change: Hepatitis Drugs and Skyrocketing Health Care Costs
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Drugs and Devices, FDA Advocacy, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesU.S. drug prices are out of control and unsustainable. We’re the only developed country where public programs cannot negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical manufacturers; as a result, the U.S. generally pays more for branded prescription drugs than any other country.
Rx for Change: Oncologists Avoid Using the Best Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Cancer, Chemotherapy, Gynecological Health, Ovarian Cancer, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesWhy is an ovarian cancer treatment that saves women’s lives being underused?
Rx for Change: Refuse InFuse
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Bone Health, Drugs and Devices, FDA Advocacy, InFuse, Patient Safety, Rx for Change Deep Dive ArticlesWe all know that some pharmaceutical companies put their own corporate profits ahead of patient safety. But, those companies don’t have a lock on this behavior — here’s an example of a medical device company that has also compromised patient safety.
Rx for Change: Excuse Me, Is That a Metal-on-Metal Device You’re Wearing?
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Articular Surface Replacement (ASR), Bone Health, Drugs and Devices, FDA Advocacy, Hip Replacement, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesHip replacement, a surgical procedure where the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic device, is usually done to relieve severe pain and mobility problems in a natural joint damaged by arthritis or trauma. Usually, both the “ball” (i.e., femoral head) and “socket” (i.e., acetabulum) are replaced, with excellent results.
Rx for Change — Binge-Eating Disorder: Another Invented Disease Brought to You by Pharma
By: Charlea T. Massion, MD, and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD Eating Disorders, FDA Advocacy, Rx for Change, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter, Weight Loss Deep Dive ArticlesEver notice how dinner party hosts estimate portions based on their own appetites? Small eaters may leave their guests hungry; large eaters may have plenty of leftovers. Adriane’s in the latter category; her guests learn to enjoy her food in generous portions, or risk her wrath. Charlea, on the other hand, considers salad dinner. Somehow, we’ve managed to remain friends.
About the Authors
Charlea T. Massion, MD
Charlea T. Massion, MD, is a practicing physician in Santa Cruz County specializing in hospice and palliative care. Charlea brought her passion for improving women’s health along with 40+ years of health care experience to the NWHN as a member of the board for 8 years. She also co-founded the American College of Women’s Health Physicians.
Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD
Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD, is a former NWHN Board Chair whose research presents a critical analysis of the marketing of prescription drugs. Adriane educates prescribers on pharmaceutical marketing practices as Director of the PharmedOUT program, and created the Health in the Public Interest program at Georgetown University School of Medicine where she trains a new generation of consumer advocates. Additional articles by Adriane can be found here.