Desert Health News - November-December 2024

. November/December 2024 www.DesertHealthNews.com Integrative Medicine The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 14 www.restorehea lth.me Ketogenic Weight Loss Functional Medicine Cancer Remission Anti-Aging Live Longer and Healthier — All Naturally Personalized health services offering non-pharmaceutical solutions to reverse disease. Joseph Scherger, MD, MPH Medical Director (760) 898-9663 • Indian Wells office@restorehealth.me www.RestoreHealth.me www.hfhcv.org Our Specialties Include: Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Balance your hormones to regain energy, improve mood, enhance sleep, and overall well-being. Sexual Health Comprehensive, customized treatment plans to restore and boost overall personal performance and pleasure. Hair Restoration with NEO Graft FUE A revolutionary treatment for restoring thinning and balding hair to its fuller, natural state. Hair Restoration with Microneedling + Exosomes This advanced technique promotes remarkable hair regrowth through deep tissue repair and protein activation while increasing your hair’s thickness, density, and strength. Laser Skin Resurfacing + Skin Tightening Reduce visible signs of aging and achieve a youthful, radiant appearance with our state-of-the-art treatments. Physician-Directed Medical Weight Loss Tailored weight management strategies to help you achieve a healthier weight. Regenerative Medicine Transforming Beauty + Wellness Farris Sandhu, M.D. At Amara Regenerative Aesthetics, we believe that sexual health is a key component of overall physical + mental well-being and quality of life for both men and women. As we age, changes in our bodies can lead to challenges in intimacy and performance, and our customized treatment plans offer solutions to help you feel revitalized and confident. For men, options like GAINSWave ® Therapy, the P-Shot, PMMA Fillers, and Testosterone Replacement Therapy improve blood flow, boost vitality, and enhance satisfaction. Women can benefit from treatments such as Hormone Replacement Therapy, FEMIWave, and the O-Shot, which are designed to restore balance, increase sensitivity, and elevate personal pleasure. With Amara’s expertise and advanced therapies, you can embrace every stage of life with renewed energy and confidence knowing that your sexual health is in expert hands. Book your complimentary consultation and receive 20% off the treatment of your choice. Dr. Sandhu brings her expertise in internal medicine to the forefront of regenerative medicine, combining inner wellness with outer beauty. Founder + CEO Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine Member, Board of Anti-Aging Medicine and American Board of Aesthetics Medicine Visit us at www.AmaraRA.com 760.895.4140 74000 Country Club Drive, Suite G-2 • Palm Desert Actively taking care of your mental health is an essential part of overall well- being, influencing how we think, feel and function in daily life. In the United States, nearly 20% of adults experience some form of mental illness each year, including depression, anxiety and mood disorders. Fortunately, the need to address, accept and better understand mental health is taking center stage in today’s culture. What is less often discussed is sexual dysfunction and its effect on mental health. Sexual dysfunction affects between 30% and 40% of people at some point in their lives and can happen to both men and women at any age. This condition can negatively impact all areas of life, from personal to professional, often leading to emotional distress and a reduced quality of life. Research has highlighted how sexual health and mental health are deeply interconnected. Challenges in sexual wellness — such as decreased libido, performance issues or discomfort — can eventually lead to psychological distress. Conversely, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety often reduce libido, impair sexual function and create physical discomfort. This bidirectional relationship emphasizes that when one aspect suffers, the other is likely affected as well. Studies show that a fulfilling intimate life can boost mood, reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness and enhance overall life satisfaction, while poor sexual health can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, frustration and strained relationships. Conventional treatments and their impact on mental health There are numerous treatments and medications available to address specific sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and Peyronie’s disease in men; and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), dyspareunia and hormone imbalances, and physical atrophy in both genders. For men, common treatments include medications like Viagra and Cialis, which work by increasing blood flow to the genital area. For women, medications like ospemifine and Addyi are often prescribed to treat HSDD, hormone imbalances and physical symptoms of vaginal dryness and atrophy. Although effective, these medications can cause a range of side effects including headaches, dizziness, breathing problems, blood clots and mood swings. Similarly, antidepressants, which are prescribed to address mental health conditions, may negatively impact sexual health by reducing libido and inhibiting sexual response. For individuals with existing mental health concerns, managing sexual health medications requires careful supervision to avoid worsening psychological symptoms. A regenerative approach to sexual health As a physician, I feel that it’s important to look at all the factors involvedwhen treating a sexual health problem, including a deep dive into the patient’s health history, family history, current lifestyle and other medical conditions. Many patients are now looking to regenerative treatments to improve their sexual health which offer alternatives to traditional treatmentswithout potential adversesideeffects. Usingamore regenerative approach encompasses a range of treatments that address the root cause of the issue while boosting the body’s ability to correct and regenerate on its own. The Connection Between Mental Health and Sexual Health By Farris Sandhu, MD Continued on page 15