Articles
How your genes can affect your response to anesthesia
Have you or anyone in your family experienced complications from medical anesthesia? Overall, estimated rates of perioperative complications from anesthesia are between 3% to 16% dependant on a variety of factors. Anesthetic complications can range from short-term,...
May 07, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Drug metabolism in women: The effects of pregnancy, contraception, and hormone replacement therapy on drug response
Gender, age and hormones can all affect drug metabolism It's well-known that genetic variations inherited by individuals can lead to different reactions to medications, with the same drug dosage being safe and effective for one person but causing...
April 28, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Precision medicine of menopause and depression: treating hot flashes with antidepressants
Many women experience unpleasant symptoms leading up to, during, and after menopause. It is not uncommon to have hot flashes, insomnia and depression. Hot flashes can cause substantial physical and psychological discomfort. Menopause is not merely an estrogen...
April 28, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Using Precision Medicine to Find Effective Treatment for Depression
Finding the right treatment for depression is not easy. Physicians have many mental health medications from which to choose. However, as we know, only a fraction of patients will respond to any given drug. Thus, physicians often resort...
April 16, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Drug induced constipation explained: medications, supplements, coffee, and vitamin interactions
Medication-induced constipation or diarrhea is a common struggle faced by many, especially those with chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases as well as those with neuropathic pain, depression and anxiety. Here, we explain which medications...
April 16, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
How cholesterol-lowering medications and precision medicine improve psoriasis treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by overactive skin cell multiplication, resulting in the development of painful rashes and inflammation. Unfortunately, there is no outright cure for psoriasis, but there are a number of treatment options...
April 15, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Antidepressants and sexual health - How pharmacogenetics can help find the right medication for you
Antidepressants, low libido and sexual health Stress, anxiety, and depression can have a negative impact on sexual health, causing low libido, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction. However, many men and women are hesitant to seek or...
March 20, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Tailoring fertility treatments to your genetic profile: Why your DNA matters
Reproductive health concerns are a common challenge faced by many women, including struggles with conception or pregnancy, often due to underlying medical complications or the natural effects of aging. With a variety of medical treatments available,...
March 13, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
How to get a pharmacogenetic test in Canada
Pharmacogenetic tests are available online directly to consumers and may even be covered by your health insurance or health spending account! This article explains what pharmacogenetic testing is, where to get it, how much it costs, and...
February 12, 2026
By Veronika Litinski
Birth Control and Blood Clots: A simple genetic test can help predict your risk
It isn’t news to most women that many birth control pills come with a variety of side effects. One of these side effects is an increased risk of developing a blood clot. Stories of young women and girls...
January 22, 2026
By Andrea Huston
Hormonal contraceptives, depression and blood clots
Hormonal contraception is a widely used and very effective method of birth control, but it is not without risks. For decades, women have reported significant mood changes when using hormonal contraceptives, including birth control pills and intrauterine devices...
January 22, 2026
By Ruslan Dorfman
Antidepressant withdrawal: When and how to taper antidepressants
Antidepressants can be a powerful tool for treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and they often work best when combined with talk therapy. Therapists help individuals develop effective strategies to reduce stress and address the underlying...
September 17, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Understanding endometriosis: Symptoms, risks, and personalized treatment
Endometriosis is a complex condition that is difficult to diagnose due to the close similarity of symptoms with other gynecological and gastrointestinal diseases. The risk and severity of endometriosis are linked to mental health status, hormones, and inflammation....
September 17, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Medication hypersensitivity: genetics and drug toxicity
People can develop severe sensitivities to medications that might look like drug allergies. Allergic reactions usually include symptoms such as hives, mild rashes, itching, and swelling that could lead to anaphylaxis. These reactions occur when antibodies are elevated...
July 16, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Bipolar medications: What works best and how your DNA can guide therapy
Bipolar disorder (BD) is challenging to diagnose due to its episodic and highly variable nature. People with BD often have a poor experience with commonly prescribed antidepressants and require different therapies. Pharmacogenetic testing can help establish the correct...
July 11, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
How safe are ADHD medications for children? Balancing the benefits and health risks
When parents see their child continually struggling to concentrate and complete homework on time, they may seek to confirm ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Often, medication can help children (and adults) diagnosed with ADHD improve focus and memory and...
July 08, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Personalized hair loss therapy – how DNA analysis can optimize treatment
Hair loss, or alopecia, can affect the scalp or the entire body and may be temporary or permanent. It can result from genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or aging. While men often experience receding hairlines and baldness, women...
May 16, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Are antidepressants during pregnancy safe? The answer is in your DNA
There are risks and benefits to taking any medication. Women are understandably concerned about the safety of antidepressants and wonder if they should continue taking them during pregnancy. Worries over drugs’ impact on the fetus may lead to discontinuation...
April 29, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Wondering why you can't tolerate antidepressants? SSRIs can cause Serotonin Syndrome
Last Many people diagnosed with depression cannot tolerate antidepressants even at low doses. To treat the symptoms of depression, patients often try different medications to no avail; nothing seems to work, or they cause intolerable side effects. In...
April 04, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) as an alternative medication for SSRI intolerance
Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a “second generation” antidepressant that differs from SSRIs. Bupropion acts as a norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor and has a much lower involvement of the serotonin pathway. Therefore, bupropion is frequently used for people who did not...
April 04, 2025
By Ruslan Dorfman