Your Sharper Women
Dr. Leita J. Harris
Dr. Leita Harris was born in Panama, raised in New York City and has been living in the Inland Empire of southern California since 1986. She is the oldest of 4 children and was determined at an early age to pursue her education and become a physician. She graduated from New York University, received her medical degree at Cornell University Medical College and completed her residency at LA County/USC Medical Center. Dr. Harris has been a practicing physician in women’s health as a Gynecologist for over 30 years, 16 of those specializing in bio-identical hormone replacement.
She currently has her own private practice, Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness, Inc. which serves both men and women and has previously worked at Riverside Medical Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, UCR Student Health Services and as an Associate Clinical Professor at UCR School of Medicine. Her current service activity includes President of the JW Vines Medical Society, Board member of the JW Vines Foundation and Board member of the Coalition for Black Health & Wellness, among others.
She is a sought out speaker on Women’s Health in the community. She was blessed to be united with her husband, Bishop Jon S. Harris and joined with him in launching Castle Rock Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in 2001. She continues to stand in loving partnership with her husband and pastor, faithfully serving her church family in many capacities including Church Administrator, Sunday School Teacher and Director of the “Daughters of Excellence” ministry, a mentoring ministry for young ladies ages 11-18.
She is the blessed mother and stepmother of 5, Jayce Baron, Tyler, Jon II, Brandon and Kaylee and her passion is to serve the Lord to her fullest with excellence knowing that God alone will be glorified.
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Sexual Arousal Disorder:
Did you know there was such a thing??
It might come as a surprise to you, or it might not, but when it comes to your overall physical
and emotional wellbeing, satisfying sex is key at any age. The strong emphasis on satisfaction
derives from the possible sexual issues you can experience as both a male and female.
Though it may seem unlikely, the Cleveland Clinic documents that sexual dysfunction affects about 30% to 40% of women. An Overview In the category of sexual dysfunction lies a plethora of potentially recurrent problems with sexual responses, the inability to orgasm, and the lack of sexual desire that can begin at any stage of life. It is very complex so the purpose of this writing is not to be exhaustive but rather to open the channel of awareness that sexual dysfunction exists, can be from many causes and
can be addressed with a variety of treatment modalities.
It is therefore important to be sure to
openly discuss it with your health care professional who is experienced in managing it since it
can cause a great deal of distress to your personally as well as in your relationships.
The symptoms vary and is dependent on what type of sexual dysfunction exists so we’ll
focus on and combine sexual interest and arousal disorders and what it means.
Sexual arousal disorder is when your desire to have sex is still present, but you have difficulty reaching a state of arousal, becoming aroused, or even maintaining arousal during sexual activity. Low sexual interest (low libido) is a lack of interest to be sexual. The causes of sexual desire and arousal problems can be related to physical and psychological factors, which include:
• Blood flow disorder: You reach arousal when parts of your female reproductive system
(clitoris, vagina and labia) receive increased blood flow. Blood flow disorder directly
affects arousal by preventing blood flow to those essential places.
• Hormonal changes: menopause resulting in low estrogen levels, low testosterone levels
and other hormone imbalances can cause vaginal atrophy or dryness, making sex painful
and overall unenjoyable and/or reducing sex drive which can subsequently affect your
arousal ability.
• Stress: When your stress levels are high, your cortisol levels rise, lowering your sex drive.
• Relationship issues: Strains in your relationship can lead to unhappiness and not
wanting to have intercourse with your partner.
• History of abuse, sexual or otherwise are known to affect one’s ability to engage in
healthy sexual relationships
• Body image concerns affects one’s view of themselves resulting in discomfort with
being vulnerable in intimacy
• Medical conditions that cause painful intercourse (endometriosis, vaginismus, vaginal infections, lichen sclerosis, large fibroids, etc.) or mental health disorders such as depression
• Chemicals such as Medications can dampen your arousal such as antidepressants or excessive narcotics or alcohol. Once the cause is determined, the management can be focused.
Many times, just understanding and finding out the reason can be very relieving and can help promote improved sexual satisfaction. When it comes to balancing hormones, keep in mind that options exist.
Vaginal estrogen cream, suppositories, ring or tablets can be used to reverse atrophy as can a
vaginal CO2 laser procedure.
If your androgens are low (dheas, testosterone), restoring good levels can be very effective. Although studies have been controversial, I have had significant
success in my practice with replacing androgens.
Androgens can also be given in a variety of
forms such as topical, pellets, suppositories, etc. If you research, you can find other FDA approved medications but they have serious side effect profiles.
Again, this is not meant to be exhaustive but understanding that there is “medically identified”
female sexual dysfunction opens the door to getting on the path to change.
It does take acknowledging that there are many factors (that may be complex) but you also have
information to weigh and decide to address the distress that you may be experiencing.
Is The Intimate Wellness
Vaginal Laser Procedure
Right For You?
Dr Leita Harris, Gynecologist
Nurturing You Women’s Health & Wellness
Our bodies are heavily affected by age, both internally and externally. Throughout puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, our female reproductive system
changes significantly, causing us to experience unenjoyable symptoms, all of which can
have an impact on our sexual wellness
and overall vaginal health.
These changes that
our bodies undergo are unavoidable therefore understanding the many options that are available to provide us with a solution can be life changing.
One option is using energy-based treatments f
or vaginal rejuvenation.
This minimally
invasive procedure can be the solution to no longer having to live with painful intercourse, bladder leakage
or poor vaginal support.
How does the vaginal laser procedure work?
A vaginal laser procedure is a painless, minimally invasive, non-surgical office procedure. The cutting-edge technology behind the laser uses third-generation CO2 fractional laser energy. Vaginal rejuvenation (as it is sometimes called) involves inserting a probe into your
vaginal canal and gently positioning it at multiple points. The probe sends waves of CO2 fractional laser energy deep into delicate tissue. This short process promotes the remodeling of your mucosal epithelium tissue layer. As tissues remodel with new nerves, collagen, and vessels, they become tighter and naturally lubricated as new vaginal tissue start to form.
Who is an ideal candidate for a vaginal laser procedure?
Hormonal changes of menopause, a drop in estrogen after childbirth and treatment for breast cancer are all things that women can encounter throughout their lifetimes. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency caused by poor vaginal
support and/or hormonal decline, a vaginal laser procedure may be right for you.
This procedure can lessen the effects of many types of issues or insecurities you may have about your vaginal health or solve age-related problems.
This revolutionary treatment can improve:
- Vaginal laxity
- Vaginal dryness
- Painful intercourse
- Bladder leakage
- Sagging labial skin
- Lichen Sclerosis
Since the intimate wellness procedure helps
improve the health of tissues in and around
your vagina, any sexual dysfunction problems
related to that should resolve over time.
What are the benefits of a laser
vaginal rejuvenation procedure?
- Minimally invasive
- Not a lengthy procedure
- Minimal post-treatment care
- No downtime*
- No limitations if you had previous operations, breastfeeding, etc.
- Ideal for women who CANNOT use
hormones (cancer survivors)
- No side effects, ONLY benefits.
- Improved sex life
*The only activity that you must steer clear of
for three days post-procedure is sexual
intercourse – giving your vagina time to heal.
What results should I expect?
It’s common to start noticing an improvement in your vaginal wellness within the first week after your first session. A series of three treatments, each spaced roughly one month apart, is recommended with four treatments for any urinary symptom. Since you’re going to continue to age and you may have vaginal wellness issues ariseagain in the future, I recommend scheduling regular maintenance treatments once a year. This helps you stay one step ahead of any future vaginal atrophy issues and prevent future problems.
Again, there are options to improve vaginal health but for the woman who desires a non-surgical, non-hormonal remedy, vaginal laser is a great option.
Man-O-Pause
Helping the man in your life understand
male hormonal imbalance!
by Dr. Leita Harris
How Hormone Replacement Therapy Treats Male Hormonal Imbalances?
We normally assume that hormone therapy exists as a treatment process mainly sought out by women, but the truth remains that many men experience hormonal imbalances as well. Whether these imbalances occur naturally or as a result of aging, the decline of testosterone can severely impact the significant functions of the male body. For that reason, it’s crucial to detect hormone deficiencies as early as possible!
Testosterone Replacement Therapy can treat hormone imbalances in a customized manner to fit the needs of every man affected. Fortunately, Dr. Leita Harris — a hormone expert specializing in the use of bio- identical hormones — and the experts at Nurturing You are ready to educate and provide patients with the appropriate treatments to restore testosterone levels, along with confidence.
Why Is Testosterone Important?
As the primary male sex hormone, testosterone helps men develop larger muscles, form deep voices, and grow facial and body hair. Additionally, it fuels the male libido, stimulates erections, and helps to produce sperm. Essentially, testosterone drives all of the primary male functions, which explains why low testosterone levels remain harmful to a man’s physical health and quality of life.
What Is Andropause?
Just as women experience Menopause — a drastic decline of estrogen — when they reach a certain age, men can also experience a plummet in hormone levels known as Andropause or “Low T.” It typically begins at age 30 when the male body produces less and less testosterone. The most common consequences include erectile dysfunction, thinning hair, or low sexual libido. Men experiencing these conditions should get their testosterone checked, as Andropause may also lead to increased fertility issues. Additionally, lower testosterone level can cause other side effects: lower energy, anemia, and decreased muscle mass and bone density.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy
And How Can It Help?
Thankfully, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can naturally restore the right amount and balance of a man’s hormones. The treatment can rebuild a man’s well-being by eliminating the frustrating symptoms of Andropause. Furthermore, HRT can reduce a man’s risk of developing an illness related to low testosterone levels, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Dr. Harris executes HRT using two different methods. The first option involves the application of topical bio-identical testosterone creams with or without a combination of testosterone precursors (like DHEA or Pregnenolone). The benefit of topical creams includes the ability to adjust the dose over a short-term period, while the downside means potentially transferring the topical preparations to children or pets; absorption remains very variable. The second method uses subcutaneous bio-identical pellets, which require insertion only two times each year and deliver a sustained release of testosterone over several
months.
However, a minor office procedure is needed to execute the treatment. Though HRT looks different for each patient, a consultation with an expert from Nurturing You can diagnose the underlying cause of one’s hormonal imbalance. From there, it can be determined whether a patient needs interventional measures or more intense treatment protocols.
Ultimately, undergoing HRT can lead to several physical benefits. On top of increased confidence, a male patient may experience some of these outcomes: increased libido and sexual function, increased bone density, improved muscle mass, body composition, regulated mood, increased cognition, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
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I.V. Therapy:
The Meyer's Cocktail
Named after John Myers, M.D., a physician who frequently used intravenous injections to help treat many chronic conditions, the Myers・Cocktail is the Gold Standard for overall wellness infusions. Dr. Myers found that the Myers・Cocktail significantly helped improve symptoms cause by conditions such as acute asthma, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergies, and cardiovascular disease.
In a standard Meyer’s cocktail are vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and C; magnesium; and calcium. B vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism. They help cells convert food into energy, create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells and other body tissues. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from free-radical damage, absorbs iron, creates collagen, and boosts immunity. Magnesium is needed for more than 300 chemical reactions in your body. It helps maintain glucose levels, normal muscle and nerve function, keeps your bones strong and your heartbeat steady. Calcium is arguably the most important mineral in the human body. It is needed to build and maintain bone structure, muscles to move, and nerves to send signals throughout the body. Potential side effects can include some mild discomfort at the site of the infusion and some patients have reported a warm or flushed feeling. Magnesium can in some cases lower blood pressure and some patients may experience a metallic taste due to the vitamins.
Nutritional I.V. Therapy
by Southeast Compounding Pharmacy
Our bodies are constantly under assault from not only external environmental factors, but also the things we consume that might not be the best for us. Fast food, stress caused by work, and air pollution all are burdens on our body that cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and the release of toxic free radicals. Not only are some people already deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, but the aforementioned toxic burdens make it even harder for the body to absorb the nutrients they need.
Nutritional intravenous (IV) therapy replenishes all the essential vitamins and minerals the body needs directly to the bloodstream, therefore passing the digestive system. This allows for more rapid delivery, more efficient absorption, and improved nutrient bioavailability than other forms of nutrient delivery. For example, Vitamin C given intravenously has been found to reach blood concentrations more than 50 times greater than what can be achieved when orally consumed. Many conditions are associated with disturbances in the digestive system that causes people with such conditions to be inable to absorb the essential nutrients needed. Furthermore, many diseases and inflammations cause the body to burn through nutrients at a much faster rate.
Benefits of IV therapy
-Boosts energy
-Boosts metabolism
-Detoxifies the body
-Enhances immune system
-Counteracts hangovers
-Anti-aging benefits
-Reverses symptoms of malnutrition (especially post-surgical)
-Helps decrease artery plaque and improve lipid profiles
-Enhance athletic performance and decrease muscle loss
-Promotes healthy brain, cell, and nerve function
-Improves relaxation and counteracts free-radicals produced because of stress
Myers' Cocktail
Named after John Myers, M.D., a physician who frequently used intravenous injections to help treat many chronic conditions, the Myers’ Cocktail is the “Gold Standard” for overall wellness infusions. Dr. Myers found that the Myers’ Cocktail significantly helped improve symptoms cause by conditions such as acute asthma, migraines, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergies, and cardiovascular disease.
Ingredients
Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12
B vitamins have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism. They help cells convert food into energy, create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells and other body tissues.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, acts as an antioxidant that protects cells from free-radical damage, absorbs iron, creates collagen, and boosts immunity.
Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 chemical reactions in your body. It helps maintain glucose levels, normal muscle and nerve function, keeps your bones strong and your heartbeat steady.
Calcium
Calcium is arguably the most important mineral in the human body. It is needed to build and maintain bone structure, muscles to move, and nerves to send signals throughout the body.
Potential side effects
-There can be some mild discomfort at the site of the infusion and some patients have reported a warm or ‘flushed’ feeling
-Magnesium can in some cases lower blood pressure
-Patients may experience a metallic taste due to the vitamins