Great Article on, eh-hem, Female Troubles

Hey, we all know we get 'em, and with the hormonal fluctuations that go on in menopause, they can be more vicious than ever. Yes, I'm talking about yeast infections. Along with all the other menopause symptoms we have to deal with, being itchy can make us feel even more bitc... well, you know.

But you can sooth that inner itch through are natural means, according to a Natural Solutions article Yeast Infection Protection. These include taking supplements like probiotics, Pau d'arco, garlic, caprylic acid and berberine. Read more in the Nov/Dec 09 issue on newsstands now, or check out this earlier article Winning the Yeast Infection War.

So That's What's Behind That Belly Bulge!

So, it looks like it is a hormone change, not age, that causes post-menopausal women to get a little bulge around the belly. At least, this is according to a study by the Rush University Medical Center and published in the journal Obesity. The study showed that the level of testosterone that is active in the body was the strongest predictor of visceral, or "belly," fat.

Well, I'm glad we cleared that up. Glad its not due to my chocolate eating!

Frequent Hot Flashes Linked to Lower Bone Density

Does feeling truly 'hot and bothered' occur on a daily basis for you? If it is due to hot flashes rather than the latest picture of Hugh Jackman, beware your bones. As reported on in the July/August 09 issue of Health magazine, a recent study found that women of any age who experience frequent hot flashes and night sweats run a greater risk of osteoporosis. If this sounds like you, talk with your doctor about ways to increase bone density.

Volunteers Wanted for Dark Chocolate Health Trial

As reported in NutraIngredients.com, you might be eligible to participate in this great study. Why so great? Because it is testing the benefits of CHOCOLATE! The stuff has already been found to be beneficial in other health areas, why not test heart health?

from July 23, 2009 NutraIngredients.com

A study with dark chocolate is recruiting 40 post-menopausal women with type-2 diabetes to test the heart health potential of a super-strength specially formulated chocolate.

The study, described as “pioneering”, is being run by the University of East Anglia and diabetes specialists at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, and is exploring the potential of the chocolate’s flavonoid compounds to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Diabetes UK is funding the study, which is looking for new volunteers under the age of 76 and with type-2 diabetes. As part of the study, participants will be required to eat a small amount of chocolate everyday (two 13.5g pieces) for one year and have their risk of heart disease tested on five occasions to see whether changes occurs.

Potential volunteers may email FLAVO@uea.ac.uk

Free Webinar on Bioidenticals

That's right. A free, yes free Buzz on Bioidenticals webinar will be held Tuesday, August 4 at 9pm ET/8pm CT/7pm MT/6pm PT. All are invited - women and healthcare professionals alike. Developed by The Female Patient, the Red Hot Mamas, and Elizabeth Lee Vliet, MD, the webinar will focus on common misunderstandings about menopause hormone therapy. Click here for more details.

NY Times: Seeking Natural Remedies for Hot Flashes

Nice little write up today in the New York Times - in the fashion section no less! - about natural remedies for weight gain, hot flashes, and all those other horrid symptoms of menopause. Also, great visual overview of common botanical ingredients.

Give it a read and let us know what you think.

Janice Dickinson Goes All Menopausal... and Who Can Blame Her?

Menopause has hit the big time! In one of the more bizarre moments in the history of 'the change,' Janice Dickinson blamed her erratic behavior on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! on menopause. As anyone that has gone through it knows, the hormonal fluxes can drive you to do just about anything ... and not really give a darn about the consequences. So who can blame Janice for a little outburst or two (or three, or three thousand...)?

Media Begins to Mention Menopause

When it comes to how best to address menopause symptoms, there is more than a little controversy. All I know is, I'm thrilled that the darn thing is finally getting some attention. Most want to hide under a rug when 'the change' is mentioned, and topping the list is the media.

But its changing. The recent Newsweek featuring Oprah and now this interesting post on Huffington Post means that mainstream media is examining the latest menopause treatment crazes. And while you may disagree with the slant of a certain article or blog post, at least with more information available you'll be able to make more informed choices about your medical options.

So I say, keep up the controversy, please. Its about time women of a 'certain age' got a little somethin' somethin' from the media.

Hot Flash Humor

So, I was speaking with a friend of mine about how annoying these hot flashes were. She turned to me and said, "I prefer to call them 'power surges'".

It really is all in the attitude, isn't it?

Brain Wind-Down Temporary, Find Researchers

Women in menopause know that their brains are a little less.... quick on the pick up. But luckily, researchers have found that such cognitive slow down is temporary. In a new study published in Neurology, women ages 42-52 were tested on their ability to process information quickly. In addition to finding that menopause did indeed slow down cognitive processing, researchers found this mental slow motion to be but a temporary side effect of the hormonal changes associated with menopause. More magazine did a great article on brain health and menopause if you need additional information, but its certainly helpful to know that these symptoms will pass!

The Waste of a Waistline

Waistlines are wasted on the young. After menopause, that teensy little waist just disappears. I feel like I used to have a hour glass figure, now it just looks like a water glass - straight up and down.

Menopause brings many changes, and one of the most frustrating is what happens to our figures. There was a great segment on CBS News about this the other night, and ways you can address the, um, thickening that happens during menopause. Yes, that would entail exercise, but dancing the night away does look enticing. Perhaps exercise isn't so bad in the Dancing with the Stars age, huh?

Hormone Imbalance Not Just For a Few

Came across this article Hormone Imbalance is Not Just for Middle Aged Women and Teenagers in Natural News today, and was quite impressed. It speaks to the fact that many environmental stresses and dietary choices can impact our hormone health. It also touches on issue affecting many women - adrenal fatigue.

Glad to know there are some insightful reporters out there covering menopause and other hormonal issues.

Wall Street Journal Op-Ed on Bioidentical Hormones

Last month, the Wall Street Journal ran an Op-Ed response to its article on bioidentical hormones. In it, many of the misconceptions regarding these treatments were addressed by members of the Bioidentical Hormone Initiative, a non-profit group of physicians dedicated to patient/physician education. These days, women are empowered to make informed decisions about any health treatment, and this article calls for more clarity to end the confusion about hormone treatment. Really, it all comes down to choice - and women deserve more choices. Read more here.

Perhaps equally as interesting as the content of the piece is that major financial media outlets like the WSJ are paying attention to menopause. Yes, there is money to be made here, yes women are worthy of investing in, yes women deserve - and will spend money on - quality treatments. Financiers, take note. Menopause is a worthy investment.

Your Hormonal Lifeline

It amazes me how I managed to reach menopause without giving it any thought. I suppose most of us are in denial. I mean when we think "menopause" we think "older" and like most women aging is something I'm trying to put off as long as possible. So this whole thing got me thinking that if we looked at menopause as just a part of our hormonal lifeline then perhaps we couldhandle it in a more positive way.

I mean, just look at the daffodils - a women's lifeline is all about balancing hormones and when she is in full bloom, everything is well in the hormonal garden. Just a little fertilizer to get you through those hot flashes!!!

Is It Menopause or Is It Aging?

That's a question that many doctors are trying to answer. Many menopause symptoms such as weight gain and forgetfulness are often more age related, and both aging and menopause can contribute to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Even night sweats could be caused by a thyroid condition. More information on this topic from the North American Menopause Society can be found here.

Health conditions can also trigger a recurrence of menopause symptoms. I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 21 years and for the past 19 have been in remission, thankfully. I'm always very vigilant about keeping flare ups under control, but last November one got the better of me and I have been going through a full blown flare up for the past several months. What was totally unexpected was that the inflammation triggered hot flashes. Can't tell you how depressing that was. Chronic arthritis pain that kept me from sleeping, then hot flashes on top of that.

I finally went for acupuncture treatments and part of the treatment was a total review of what I eat and drink. Two red flags were coffee and wheat. I remember when my hot flashes were at their peak I was told the same thing. Anyway, apparently these two things are huge inflammation triggers and the increased inflammation was then triggering a return of the hot flashes. Vicious cycle, which was easily broken by giving up coffee and wheat. Within a week the pain was subsiding and so were the hot flashes. Four weeks later I have it under control and still avoid coffee and wheat because the side effect of that has been weight loss - always a good thing.

So, if you are trying to handle health issues as well as menopause make sure your health care practitioner is asking you the right questions and take a good look at what you are consuming, some simple diet adjustments may pay dividends.

Patching Up Your Libido? Not So Fast

A dip in your sex drive is an unfortunately common occurrence in menopause. Like everything that goes awry during this time it seems, it is linked to a drop in certain hormones. This has prompted drug companies to develop testosterone patches as a way to combat low libido. But news is out today that questions such treatment's effectiveness as well as long term safety. The treatment is not approved in the U.S. out of concern over lack of evidence on safe long term use.

While it may be tempting to chuckle at sex-talk, it is no laughing matter if 'gettin' busy' makes a hasty exit after menopause. This is a quality of life issue, something that makes us human, alive and feminine. To get a bit of 'kick' back in your game, talk with your doctor, who may have some treatment that you feel comfortable with. There are a number of natural alternatives on the market that you can discuss with your doctor or integrative health professional.

Basically, there is absolutely no reason why a woman can't stay vital, alive and active - both in an out of the bedroom - after 'the change.' Its just that testosterone patches may not be the solution hoped for.

Early Menopause Doubles Risk of Stroke

According to a new study published in the medical journal Stroke, women who reach menopause before age 42 have double the risk of ischemic stroke, where the blood vessels clog. The cause of this link is not yet known and findings to determine it are inconsistent, but researchers suspect lower estrogen levels may play a part.

The findings are statistically significant and, of course, more than a little disturbing. It is yet another bit of information on the way that menopause affects overall health. Let's hope more research is done to uncover ways to lessen the susceptibility of stroke for all women, but especially those at increased risk.

More Unsettling News on Drug Treatments

Well, just when things seemed to be looking up for menopausal women with all the positive media coverage on treatment options, this story comes out. Studies have now found that use of the menopausal drug Livial ups the chances for the recurrence of breast cancer. Certainly, the data is more than just a little unsettling for those whose menopausal symptoms are a result of breast cancer treatment, as well as for women at large.

Every woman must navigate the difficult waters of finding the best menopausal treatments for herself. Prescription drugs, bio identical hormones, plant extracts, exercise, yoga - the list goes on and on. But there have been many studies that validate more 'natural' treatments. Take this finding that acupuncture outperformed a common non-hormonal drug used to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.

Just keep searching for the best and safest treatments - for you. And keep checking back at Change Menopause! for updates on all your options.

The 'Oprah' Effect on Menopause

Well, more news outlets are covering the menopause subject these days. Why? One word - Oprah! After a segment on her popular talk show and articles in O Magazine, Oprah Winfrey has raised the menopause profile to great heights. But will it last? Let's hope the subject is no 'hot flash' in the pan (sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Starting a Different Conversation

Getting a grip on menopause is like trying to keep up with technology. Just when you think you have a handle on it, something new comes along.

That’s why conversations are so important. Whether they are between you and your health advisor, your significant other, your best friend or another multi-symptom, mood-swinging, brain-fogged, sleep-derived, cranky as in “rip your head off if you even look at me wrong” menopause maven, you need to keep talking.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. President Obama is finding that out, so why would we expect anything to change on the menopause front if we don’t push for change. Now, I really don’t know what kind of change I would like to see, except that I do believe menopause is part of a women's hormonal lifeline and should be part of the bigger picture of hormone health. Hormones wreck havoc on us all throughout our lives and unless we can get some kind of hormonal balance going on here, nothing about menopause is going to change. That was the focus of a webinar presentation I was involved in last week: Menopausal Women. Treating the Symptoms and Marketing Strategies. Trying to move the conversation to address hormones throughout our lives and to look at developing products that could address hormone health and the various symptoms that being out of hormonal balance creates.

Speaking of balance, check out www.womeninbalance.org.

Omega 3s and Menopause-Good News?

New studies come out each month on how natural products can address menopause symptoms. Not enough research is being done, mind you, but this article in FoodNavigator.com caught my eye today. It basically found that Omega 3s can lessen depression and hot flash symptoms of menopause. Interesting findings that just might be good for you and your mood!

So, She Doesn't Have Hot Flashes!!

Friday evening I was at my hairdressers and the temperature in the salon was very comfortable. We started lamenting about getting older and how "hot" we were in our thirties. We got on to the subject of menopause and she said she was in her early 50's and no sign of hot flashes. "Good for you", I said, "mine were miserable for at least five years". About ten minutes later she went rushing to the front door and flung it open letting in a freezing cold draught of artic air. As she proceeded to wedge the door open I commented on the cold air. "Oh no, she said, it's boiling hot in here."

Doesn't have hot flashes - not much. 

Can't quite decide if she was in denial, or really wasn't sure what a hot flash is. I just remember everyone in my office complaining bitterly every time I turned the thermostat to zero. As they sat there shivering I was like, "It's not cold in here, put a sweater on or something!"

Pay back's a bitch! 

Hot Flash: The Menopause Superhero!

Don't mess with me, Menopause. Personally, I think any women going through menopause is a superhero!

As if Menopause Wasn't Bad Enough, now HRT Shrinks Your Brain!

I just read this article in the Washington Post and I am telling you, it is scary! Hormone Replacement Therapy, or HRT, has been found to shrink your brain. While the article said it didn't bring on disease, it is a shame that some women have to risk these side effects when there are plenty of alternative treatments out there.

Look, treating menopause is a personal decision, but please be well informed before you do anything. I was told over and over again I needed a hysterectomy, only to find that different, all natural treatments could help me. But that took alot of research and a lot of time. But it was well worth it.

Read the article and tell me what YOU think about it!

They're Baaaack!

Well just when you think they have gone for good those pesky hot flashes come back again. It's been about a year and a half and now just when I thought it was all over, back they come. Not as often and not as severe, but even so... any one elese have this happening to them? Thinking cool thoughts.

What Menopause Should Look Like

Now, these women look happy, healthy and ready to live life. This is what menopause should look like!

Welcome to Change Menopause!

Welcome to a site just for you. Your visit to Change Menopause!, a menopause web blog site, has opened the door to a community of women ready to talk about and learn from the experiences and knowledge that your female peers can impart-making this, a time of your life you can share, rather than suffer in silence.

ChangeMenopause! is your space to protest, lament, let off steam and, quite frankly, bitch about 'the Change'!