WOMENS HEALTH

Belle Mead compounds medications that help with breastfeeding, stretch marks, female hair loss, female libido and dermatological issues from acne to psoriasis.

BREAST FEEDING

“All purpose nipple ointment” (APNO) is a combination of ingredients which seems to relieve many causes of sore nipples during breastfeeding. The presence of Candida albicans can cause nipple soreness and cracking, and cracks and erosions in the nipple harbour bacteria that can cause infection or delay healing, and can cause significant pain. APNO was originally developed by pediatrician Jack Newman, MD, who started the first hospital-based breastfeeding clinic in Canada in 1984. 

Belle Mead compounds APNO according to Dr. Newman's recommendations. The combination is applied sparingly after each feeding.

​

To obtain APNO have your physicain send the prescrition to Belle Mead.

​

STRETCH MARKS

Stretch marks are the bane of new mothers everywhere. When the body changes and adjusts to carrying a child, the excessive stretching can produce disfiguring lesions. While a new child is truly a miracle to behold, the residual stretch marks aren’t as welcomed. Thankfully, we have a powerful weapon in our arsenal to combat the stretch marks and improve the appearance of your skin.

​

Tretinoin, also known as retinoic acid, is a powerful metabolite of Vitamin A. Retinoic acid is made naturally by the body and is important in the development of new cells (especially in the embryo). When Bio-oil and cocoa butter aren’t doing what they are supposed to be doing, doctors will likely recommend that you explore using tretinoin (Retin-A).

​

Stretch marks come from tears in the middle layer of skin (the dermis). Some people are more likely than others to get them, but there isn’t really an immunity of any kind out there. Over-the-counter creams and butters are marketed for stretch marks, but they have limited results, and the speculation is that the massaging motions when applying the cream do as much to help relieve stretch marks as the ingredients themselves.

​

Retin-A is a much better alternative with clinical results to back its claims up. Retin-A increases skin thickness and improves elasticity, as well. It is a prescription-only cream, but one that really makes a difference and helps improve skin in ways that other products cannot.

​

We’ll be glad to compound a Retin-A prescription for you that can significantly improve stretch marks that result from a recent pregnancy. Stop in to talk to us about what we can do for you for all your “new mom” needs, too—everything from nipple creams to topical lotions for children who suffer from eczema and other newborn skin difficulties.

​

This therapy should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

References

Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves early stretch marks.

Topical tretinoin 0.1% for pregnancy-related abdominal striae: an open-label, multicenter, prospective study.

HAIR LOSS

Many women experience female pattern hair loss. Hair loss in women is different than that of men, with hair thinning tending to be more diffuse.

When Belle Mead Pharmacy works with your doctors to help stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss, you have more options than you would get from using conventional prescription medications. That’s because we can formulate hair loss and regrowth treatments using multiple ingredients and a variety of delivery mechanisms.

Some of the ingredients for hair loss treatments include Finasteride, Latanoprost, Tretinoin, Azelaic Acid, Fluocinonide, Progesterone, Estradiol, Biotin, Ketoconazole, Saw Palmetto, Zinc Sulphate, and Niacinamide.

BLT CREAM

BLT cream contains three active ingredients: benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine. It is effective in the numbing of the epidermis before laser and cosmetic procedures. Some procedures that these anesthetics are used for include laser hair removal, dermal filler, Botox injections, and laser tattoo removal.

MELASMA CREAM

While there is no cure for melasma, the appearance of hyperpigmentation can be reduced. This is accomplished through a combination of topical treatments and vigilant sun protection.

There is no one universally effective treatment for melasma. Different ingredients work better for each individual. However, there are some ingredients that are consistently more effective. These are the top 5 reported melasma cream ingredients:

1. Hydroquinone: A lightening agent that reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation. 

2. Retinoic Acid: Retinoic acid both increases cell turnover and affects melanin production. In a melasma cream, it helps remove hyperpigmented cells to encourage the growth of new, normally pigmented cells.

3. Kojic Acid: Inhibits the production of tyrosinase.

4. Azelaic Acid: Selectively targets abnormal melanocytes so it does not have an effect on normally pigmented skin.

5. Arbutin:  When applied to the skin, it releases hydroquinone, which means it works in the same way by inhibiting tyrosinase.
   
   

Other ingredients include vitamin B3 and vitamin C, which can be added to any melasma formulation.

SCAR CREAM

Belle Mead makes scar creams and gels containing a combination of the following ingredients:

• Pentoxifylline decreases scar tissue growth.

• Fluticasone and hydrocortisone limit inflammation of a new scar to facilitate optimal healing.

• Levocetirizine and diphenhydramine decrease scar tissue growth and minimizes itching.

• Praca-Sil Plus and Hydrogel topical gel are unique silicone bases that possess an ability to inhibit abnormal tissue growth. Praca-Sil Plus also exhibits antioxidant and germ-killing properties.

• Prilocaine is a topical anesthetic providing a numbing sensation around the scar.

• Gabapentin and carbamazepine block the firing of overactive neurons involved in pain transmission and sensation.

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND LIBIDO ENHANCEMENT CREAMS

Changes in clitoral blood flow in premenopausal women affected by type 1 diabetes after single 100-mg administration of sildenafil. Many factors can play a role in a woman’s drop in sex drive, which may be primarily caused by changes that are hormonal, physical, psychological, or relational.

Belle Mead  Pharmacy provides a topical solution combination of prescription and non-prescription components including blood flow enhancers, vasodilators, and sexual stimulation enhancing hormones:

1. Aminophylline  - a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in your lungs and chest to allow greater airflow; and increases the contractions of your diaphragm to draw more air into the lungs for intense breathing. 

• Ergoloid Mesylate  is used to improve cognitive and self-care functioning

• L-Arginine is a nonessential amino acid purported to have libido enhancing effects on women.

• Pentoxifylline helps your blood carry oxygen to your tissues and organs. It is also purported to have libido enhancing effects on women.

• Sildenafil Citrate is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and is purported to have similar vasodilation effects on clitoral artery blood flow.

• Testosterone – is a sex hormone that is produced by males and also produced in small amounts within women. It is to improve sexual function in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

References

1. Transdermal testosterone therapy improves well-being, mood, and sexual function in premenopausal women

2. Changes in clitoral blood flow in premenopausal women affected by type 1 diabetes after single100-mg administration of sildenafil.

3. Sexual function in older women after oophorectomy

HOW DO I REFILL OR ORDER NEW PRESCRIPTIONS?

Enter your answer here. Be thoughtful, write clearly and concisely, and consider adding written as well as visual examples. Go over what you’ve written to make sure that if it was the first time you were visiting the site, you’d understand your answer.