Dr. Bernadine Healy can't even count the number of women who've complained to her about how tough it is to make the decision about hormone replacement therapy.
A 2002 study found HRT made women more vulnerable to health problems including heart attacks and strokes.
"Women say, 'Oh it used to be so simple. Now it's so complex,'" says Healy, a cardiologist and former director of the National Institutes of Health. "And I tell them, 'Yes, it used to be so simple because it was wrong.'"
This is what she means: Before 2002, it was practically standard operating procedure to put women on synthetic hormones as soon as they reached menopause. ("We were putting them in the drinking water," jokes Healy.).
Read more
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Menopause is a Life Change
To begin with, someone should come up with a better term for menopause other than referring to it as the change. Men go through it, yet they are not labeled as such; but that’s another topic for another article. Suddenly, the Harry Chapin song seems appropriate, “All my life’s a circle; sunrise to sundown…” Perhaps menopause should be redefined as part of the circle of life.
It can certainly be said that most women who go through menopause have a positive outlook during the entire time. Perhaps it’s a byproduct of not having to go through menstrual cycles any longer, or suffering through PMS, or simply looking forward to enjoying life and intimacy on a whole new level.
Even though the symptoms accompanying menopause can be irritating, to say the least, it doesn’t in any way diminish a woman or her role in society. In fact, there is no neurological disorder associate with menopause. Whether or not a woman experiences depression during this time is not any different than any other time in her life. The notion that a woman in menopause is somehow labeled as having emotional problems is ludicrous. So too is the stereotypical derogatory terms used just before a woman’s monthly cycle.
To say that life changes occur about the same time as menopause is another false notion. Woman change every day; one thing has nothing to do with the other. Yes, children grow up, parents become old, and decisions are made which alter one’s course in life; but that is the point. Changes are made based upon our needs; our desire to change; to develop and grow; to become empowered by those changes. Menopause is just a fact of life. It neither changes nor diminishes a woman, but makes her stronger.
While it may no longer be true that menopause is a stigma, but to look upon it as a normal part of the circle which allows every woman to continue to enjoy life to its fullest. On the other hand, if one takes the viewpoint that menopause is the beginning of the end, it will eventually become a disruptive and difficult adjustment to accept.
Change is sometimes difficult, even under the best of circumstances. Whether you have to move from a residence you’ve lived in for half your life, or if your spouse dies; these times require periods of grief and regret. It’s a natural and necessary course one must take. However, menopause does not need to invoke feelings of doom. Instead of fighting it; embrace it. If help is needed, there are so many support groups available to help you through it. No one said life was going to easy; and this particular cycle of life is no exception.
It can certainly be said that most women who go through menopause have a positive outlook during the entire time. Perhaps it’s a byproduct of not having to go through menstrual cycles any longer, or suffering through PMS, or simply looking forward to enjoying life and intimacy on a whole new level.
Even though the symptoms accompanying menopause can be irritating, to say the least, it doesn’t in any way diminish a woman or her role in society. In fact, there is no neurological disorder associate with menopause. Whether or not a woman experiences depression during this time is not any different than any other time in her life. The notion that a woman in menopause is somehow labeled as having emotional problems is ludicrous. So too is the stereotypical derogatory terms used just before a woman’s monthly cycle.
To say that life changes occur about the same time as menopause is another false notion. Woman change every day; one thing has nothing to do with the other. Yes, children grow up, parents become old, and decisions are made which alter one’s course in life; but that is the point. Changes are made based upon our needs; our desire to change; to develop and grow; to become empowered by those changes. Menopause is just a fact of life. It neither changes nor diminishes a woman, but makes her stronger.
While it may no longer be true that menopause is a stigma, but to look upon it as a normal part of the circle which allows every woman to continue to enjoy life to its fullest. On the other hand, if one takes the viewpoint that menopause is the beginning of the end, it will eventually become a disruptive and difficult adjustment to accept.
Change is sometimes difficult, even under the best of circumstances. Whether you have to move from a residence you’ve lived in for half your life, or if your spouse dies; these times require periods of grief and regret. It’s a natural and necessary course one must take. However, menopause does not need to invoke feelings of doom. Instead of fighting it; embrace it. If help is needed, there are so many support groups available to help you through it. No one said life was going to easy; and this particular cycle of life is no exception.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Are your vitamins safe?
If you take vitamins, congratulations. You know you need some kind of daily supplement to help your diet. That's the good news.
Here's the bad news: They might not be doing anything for you. They might even be harming you.How do I know?
Researchers have now discovered that most vitamins do zip or worse because they're synthetic. How would you know if you are eating synthetic vitamins? I promise you they don't advertise it.
Click here for more information
Here's the bad news: They might not be doing anything for you. They might even be harming you.How do I know?
Researchers have now discovered that most vitamins do zip or worse because they're synthetic. How would you know if you are eating synthetic vitamins? I promise you they don't advertise it.
Click here for more information
Menopause: A Dictionary of Emotional Angst
If women could write a book of words to describe how they feel during the perimenopausal and menopause stages, it would probably be a best seller. The title could very well be, “Menopause: The Dictionary of Emotional Angst.” Not bad, right? Let’s go through some of the emotional changes experienced during menopause.
While considered a normal part of the process, some of the emotional changes experienced by women undergoing perimenopause or menopause can include: irritability; feelings of sadness; lack of motivation; anxiety; aggressiveness; difficulty concentrating; fatigue; mood wings; and tension.
Irritability and feelings of sadness are the most common emotional symptoms of menopause. Often, they can be managed through changes in your lifestyle, such as learning ways to relax and reduce stress. Here are some tips that may make it easier for you to handle your up and down emotions.
Exercise and eat healthy; find a calming skill to practice, such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises; avoid tranquilizers and alcohol; engage in a creative outlet that invokes a sense of achievement; and stay connected with your family and friends,
While most everyone has experience the aforementioned symptoms (if you haven’t – consider yourself lucky!) feelings of depression can accompany menopause. Although it is not caused by menopause, some women do exhibit the symptoms of depression during this time. If you are feeling increasingly unable to cope, see your doctor.
Just when you think it’s over, along comes post-menopause. This is also a time of physical changes, and you can expect some emotional responses to these changes, both positive and negative, as well. While menopause does not create serious emotional issues for most women, it is common to feel unsettled about the body changes which are occurring and seem to be beyond what you can control. Some of these issues involve: loss of fertility; aging; loss of sexuality; mood swings; embarrassment over hot flashes and sweating; weight gain; and of a serious illness, such as cancer.
You can cope with these symptoms by eating well, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding excess caffeine, alcohol, and simple sugars. This will improve your emotional and physical well-being. Have a positive attitude about menopause, even though it’s difficult. Tension and anxiety can make your symptoms worse. Use relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, yoga, and regular exercise to manage stress. If you need to, talk to loved ones, friends, or support groups where you can discuss common issues that come up before and after menopause.
Changes occur in life; they could be either outside the boundaries of your home, or within. The main component in dealing with menopause and its emotional angst is to use the recommendations mentioned, and try not to get stressed over that which you cannot control. Take care of you; be good to you; and the rest will follow.
While considered a normal part of the process, some of the emotional changes experienced by women undergoing perimenopause or menopause can include: irritability; feelings of sadness; lack of motivation; anxiety; aggressiveness; difficulty concentrating; fatigue; mood wings; and tension.
Irritability and feelings of sadness are the most common emotional symptoms of menopause. Often, they can be managed through changes in your lifestyle, such as learning ways to relax and reduce stress. Here are some tips that may make it easier for you to handle your up and down emotions.
Exercise and eat healthy; find a calming skill to practice, such as yoga, meditation or breathing exercises; avoid tranquilizers and alcohol; engage in a creative outlet that invokes a sense of achievement; and stay connected with your family and friends,
While most everyone has experience the aforementioned symptoms (if you haven’t – consider yourself lucky!) feelings of depression can accompany menopause. Although it is not caused by menopause, some women do exhibit the symptoms of depression during this time. If you are feeling increasingly unable to cope, see your doctor.
Just when you think it’s over, along comes post-menopause. This is also a time of physical changes, and you can expect some emotional responses to these changes, both positive and negative, as well. While menopause does not create serious emotional issues for most women, it is common to feel unsettled about the body changes which are occurring and seem to be beyond what you can control. Some of these issues involve: loss of fertility; aging; loss of sexuality; mood swings; embarrassment over hot flashes and sweating; weight gain; and of a serious illness, such as cancer.
You can cope with these symptoms by eating well, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding excess caffeine, alcohol, and simple sugars. This will improve your emotional and physical well-being. Have a positive attitude about menopause, even though it’s difficult. Tension and anxiety can make your symptoms worse. Use relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, yoga, and regular exercise to manage stress. If you need to, talk to loved ones, friends, or support groups where you can discuss common issues that come up before and after menopause.
Changes occur in life; they could be either outside the boundaries of your home, or within. The main component in dealing with menopause and its emotional angst is to use the recommendations mentioned, and try not to get stressed over that which you cannot control. Take care of you; be good to you; and the rest will follow.
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