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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, February 9, 2009
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.)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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!
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