Five minutes a day keeps weight gain at bay

I'm skeptical that it's really this easy----but an article in the Toronto Star.com discusses a study about the effect of exercise and menopausal weight gain. I'll keep this post short today so I can go do a weight workout!

Confirmation That Vitamin D Deficiency Common Across A Range Of Rheumatic Conditions

Medical News Today has an article on the correlation between low Vitamin D levels and rheumatic conditions (arthritis, inflammatory joint diseases). The study found that supplementation with the "recommended" daily dose of Vitamin D (usually under 1000 IUs daily) had no effect on their symptoms. I hope in the next couple years we are going to see a significant rise in the levels of recommended Vitamin D supplementation, many doctors now are advising their patients to take more than the FDA recommends, but some still go with the 400 IUs and tell their patients to avoid the sun at all costs.

Getting estrogen benefits without risk

Hot topic in health news right now---researchers are seeking a way to activate the part of estrogen that provides cardiovascular benefits to women without the cancer risks. Check out this article from UPI.com-----

Supreme Court Denies Wyeth's Request For New Trial In Hormone Replacement Therapy Case

From MedicalNewsToday----an update on one of the Wyeth Pharmaceutical cases involving a woman's breast cancer being caused by the drugs Premarin/Prempro. Interesting reading---I cannot imagine that anyone is still taking either of those drugs, but I get emails from women (wanting to switch to BHRT) that verifies that they are still being prescribed.

Progesterone Is Effective for Hot Flash Treatment and Provides an Alternative to Estrogen, Study Finds

It's Monday, so I get to be a little sarcastic this morning. Progesterone provides relief for hot flashes----well, duh! Women who have been taking bioidentical hormones for years could tell you that it does, although many of us take our progesterone via creams instead of orally. When I started BHRT in September 2006, my hot flashes were so bad I was soaking at least 2-3 outfits a day---it was awful! Within three days of starting the progesterone cream----no more hot flashes and I haven't had one now in nearly four years. ScienceDaily.com presents an article about the efficacy of oral progesterone on relieving hot flashes (vasomotor symptoms).

Blood Test Predicts Menopause Say Scientists

At least 20 articles relating to this subject have popped up on my newsfeed since yesterday, I chose the one from MedicalNewsToday.com to share with you. Using a blood test to predict the onset of menopause is out into the future (right now one of the most reliable ways to predict the onset of menopause is to ask your mother). Not ever having had children myself, this one is tough for me to comment on.......

Explanation of Perimenopause

22 Ways to a Good Night’s Sleep

From Business44.com ---- check out this article on 22 ways to improve your sleep. This article came along at a good time for me, as I have been struggling with sleep issues for about two weeks (actually, I always struggle with sleep issues because of back pain, but the last two weeks have been worse than usual.) Sleep issues are one of the most annoying issues of menopause, and since menopause can cause a lack of energy to begin with, the lack of sleep makes everything expotentially worse!

Early Menopause Linked To Higher Risk Of Future Cardiovascular Disease

From MedicalNewsToday.com ----- a study that is to be presented this week at the Endocrine Society's meeting indicates that women who go through menopause early (either surgically with removal of ovaries or naturally) are at significantly increased risk for cardiovascular disease as they age. You are going to hear a lot about this study, I've already seen three news reports on it today (and as I write this the day isn't even half over!). Click here to read the entire article----

Breast density information

The only thing I knew about breast density is that because I never carried a child, my breast density was higher when I was younger than someone my age who had carried a pregnancy. Check out this article from the LA Times.com, explaining how breast density affects cancer risk, mammograms and other areas related to your health.

Vitamin D And Its Role In Insulin Resistance

I'm seeing more and more articles like this one from IndyPosted.com. Research is showing that there may be a link between type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance and low Vitamin D. Get your levels checked even though you are taking a supplement, I just had mine checked last month, and despite the 5000 IUs I was taking daily---I was still too low! Blew my mind, I am now on 10,000 IUs daily and will have it checked again next month.

Women Beware! Know the Possible Dangers of Feminine Care Products!

OK, admittedly this is a bit off topic---but some of you are in peri/menopause, and nearly all of us have friends/relatives that still are having monthly periods. I found this article this morning on The HuffingtonPost.com---it never occured to me that the cotton used in tampons could contain pesticides! I was in my early 20's when the whole toxic shock syndrome hysteria was in full force, and for several years, I refused to wear tampons. It's interesting reading, just thought I would share it with you.

5 Natural Sleep Aids

From StopAgingNow.com ---- a list ideas to help you with sleep issues (very common among peri/menopausal women). The two that work for me are exercise and melatonin.

Today's my birthday, so I will keep my post short today----I'm on my way to having a celebration lunch with 12 of my friends! Have a great weekend, and Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Women's Health: Big Money for Big Pharma

My goal with this blog is to educate women about bioidentical hormone therapy so that they can have as little to do with "Big Pharma" as possible (although I do take commercial preparations for thyroid and back pain). I found this article on Minyanville.com talking about how the big pharmaceutical companies are turning more attention to developing medications for health issues specific to women. I get so frustrated at hearing how drugs like Flibanserin (to enhance female libido) are in the works and/or being tested ---- for God's sake, ask any doctor (or patient) who is on bioidentical hormones (specifically testosterone) and they will tell you it increases libido in most females (and for a lot less cost than these pharmaceuticals being tested).

MEDICAL ADVICE: Men, women grapple with common foe in aging

There are still a lot of doctors who do not believe in andropause (male menopause). I found this article from the WestHardfordNews.com by an internist who believes in andropause---some very good information, check it out!

Gino Tutera, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Brings SottoPelle® Therapy to Middle Tennessee, Opens Practice in Nashville Medical District

I'm reading Dr. Tutera's book right now----I will post a full review of it when I finish. My initial impressions are that it was poorly edited and comes across as an infomercial for his practice, but I do believe in the Sotto Pelle implants. The book also has some good, sound advice, so overall I would probably recommend it to patients.

Dr. Tutera is opening a clinic in Nashville, I know I get a lot of requests from TN and surrounding areas looking for a practitioner. Check out this article from YahooNews.com----

Vitamin D May Prevent Cognitive Impairment

Just add this to the list of the benefits of Vitamin D therapy ---- a study has shown that it may help prevent cognitive impairment. Check out this article from EmPowerHer.com----

It's very hot and humid here in Charlotte, and I am sure we are not the only area of the country feeling the effects of early summer. Be sure to stay hydrated, try to exercise in the coolest part of the day (outdoors) and take extra rest breaks if you feel a little tired. Stay safe, stay cool!

Could Dwindling Testosterone Levels Decrease Sleep in Middle-aged Men?

If the guy in your life isn't sleeping well, it might be worth getting his testosterone level checked.....click here to read an article describing a study in Canada on testosterone levels and sleep issues in males.

Hormone replacement skin products affect users’ pets, confound veterinarians

This subject has come up before----there was a bit of controversy about a year ago when Androgel (a topical testosterone gel used by some men with low testosterone) became popular. There were a number of warning that several people who had applied the gel incorrectly had accidentally transferred some of the gel to children, which caused some problems.

This time the concern is over using topical hormones and touching your pets----check out this article from VINnews.com. I don't have pets (I have stuffed animals instead) so it doesn't affect me, but it is something that may affect you and your "furry family".

Bioidentical Hormones According to Chris Woolston of the LA Times

Dr. Jeffrey Dach has written a number of articles over the last couple years refuting some of the "mainstream media" articles written about hormone therapy (both synthetic and bioidentical.) In this article from the OpEdNews.com, he tackles an article written by Chris Woolston of the LA Times (I posted the link to the article several weeks ago, and a link to the original article appears in Dr. Dach's rebuttal.)

Flax seed good for breast and prostate protection

I've had this question from women several times---so this morning I thought it appropriate to share this brief article with you from Suzy Cohen. Many women like grinding up flax seed to add to protein shakes, I take the oil in capsule form as I don't like the nutty texture/flavour of the ground up seed.

Study: Supplement Vitamin D For More Muscle, Less Fat

I ran across this article in Bloginity.com ---- it's clearly a shill for NatureMade vitamins (I think they are available in Walgreens and other mass marketers --- I use Ortho Molecular supplements as they are recommended by my physician) but there is some interesting information about a study on Vitamin D and lean muscle mass.

It is HOT here in Charlotte - we are expecting temperatures in the 90 and above range over the next seven days. Be sure to stay well hydrated. This is WWKIP weekend (what, you don't know what that means? - World Wide Knit In Public Day)--- Most of you know I am an avid knitter, I am off to two different events this weekend. Whatever you do, make it a great weekend!

Another resource to find a BHRT provider---

I just ran across this today ---- ZRT Laboratory maintains a list of providers (I would imagine it is providers that use their saliva testing services---my doctor prefers blood work but that is an individual preference among practitioners). You can access the site by clicking here.

Grand Junction Walgreens is a top seller of popular hormone replacement Rx

A couple of notes about this article from the GrandJunctionSentinal.com:

• Many people are not aware that some Walgreen's Pharmacies (not all) have the ability to compound medications. I have only had one blog reader tell me that they have used a Walgreen's for their bioidentical hormones. I will tell you honestly that I did give the Walgreen's Compounding Pharmacy on Gilead Road in Huntersville, NC the opportunity to compound several of my bioidenticals---and to say I was not happy with their service would be a gross understatement. They screwed up just about everything---from billing my insurance to putting the estriol cream into a container that was in no way compatible with the vaginal applicator, and the list goes on. I have some doubts about the efficacy of their compounding period, as after I had used the T3 medicine they compounded for 6 months, I had blood work done and my T3 was way off. It may have been coincidence, but with everything else they messed up, I'm leery. For the record, I have used other Walgreen's for regular prescription needs, and I have been highly satisfied with the service.
• The article mentions sublingual tablets---that is one way of taking hormones, however, most of the experts in BHRT prefer a non oral delivery of the hormones to bypass the liver (I take all of my hormones transdermally by creams---and for some hormones, there is a pellet system available that is inserted under the skin.)
• Quote from the article "The FDA says estrogen and estrogen-progestin drugs also are identical to hormones found in the body"----oh, really? Either the FDA is wrong or the article is incorrect----progestin is NOT bioidentical!

When the adrenals become exhausted

I debated whether to include this article from the IrishTimes.com--it's tone is a little "snarky" towards Dr. Wilson and his coining of the term adrenal fatigue. For the record, I have read Dr. Wilson's book, and in fact, it is on my list of recommended reading. I absolutely believe in the syndrome, and I have blood work to prove that I, in fact, have adrenal fatigue. I was in a very bad car crash about 18 years ago, and it left me with chronic back and hip pain. The pain is somewhat controlled and I have a terrific pain management doctor, but the fact is that the constant physical stress has raised my cortisol level to way above what it should be (and the fact that I am ADD, a constant worrier doesn't help either!) I'm working on living a little more "zen like"---I've cut out (almost completely) caffeine, I stopped reading the newspaper, I'm on a fast food fast, and I am working at meditation and other stress reduction techniques.

I mentioned this movie in a post a couple weeks back--check out the trailer!

Study Finds Supplements Contain Contaminants

Believe me---I'm right there with you in hating the amount I pay out every month for supplements, but I also know they are necessary to my age management medicine program. Most of my supplements are either Ortho Molecular or Integrative Theraputics brand, and I get them through Total Health Discount Vitamins. They are the brands my physician uses and recommends. Came across this article this morning in the NY Times, and thought it was important enough to share with you.

10 Ways to Increase Anxiety Levels

If you aren't already subscribing to the Virginia Hopkins Healthwatch Newsletter---add it to your list, the emails I get from her (and they are infrequent, they will not overwhelm your email account, I promise) are interesting reading. Check out this article---it's small but informative.

'Sex and the City' hazardous to women's health?

From CNN.com ----- it had to happen, somebody getting their panties in a knot because breast cancer and hormones were mentioned together in a movie. I commented at the bottom of the article, but do not know if the comment will be shown.

Bioidentical hormones for menopausal symptoms

From the LA Times (in California bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is much more widely accepted and available than in other parts of the country)---check out this article. Much of it is the same FDA approved vs. non FDA approved, but be sure to check out the response by Virginia Hopkins at the bottom of the article (and yes, that's me that wrote the other response!).

Society advises adding sexual desire to doctors' bedside manner

I'm blessed to have a doctor who has never shied away from discussing sexual health with me, but I have had a number of doctors in the past who absolutely would never be comfortable talking about sex to a patient. It's sad, really, because women have the right to be sexually satisfied at all stages of their lives. The VancouverSun.com ran this article about doctors talking to patients about sexual health---it's a good read, check it out!

Testosterone To Treat 'Male Menopause' Questionable

This article from MedicalNewsToday.com is one of many that have exploded on the Internet this week questioning whether male menopause, known as "andropause" truly exists. I have spoken to a number of men who will enthusiastically detail how much testosterone therapy has helped them, so I am in the camp that believes men need bioidentical hormone replacement as much as women. I have an email in to my doctor to clarify the statement in the article about synthetic hormone efficacy being questioned---the testosterone I take is bioidentical, and I believe that much of the testosterone therapy given is bioidentical, be it patches (Androgel), shots, transdermal creams, or Sotto Pellet therapy.

Menopause symptoms don't respond to herbal therapy

I tried black cohash for hot flashes and it didn't do a thing for me---but I have been to several menopause seminars where doctors (usually ones who don't believe in bioidentical hormones) swear that black cohash and antidepressants are the true answer to menopausal symptoms. I think they are dead wrong, but that's another issue. Check out this article from TheWindsorStar.com ---- and most importantly, make sure your doctor/health care provider knows about ALL medications and supplements you are taking----make a list and take it with you to your next appointment.

Pharma Influence on the American Psychiatric Association

Read all the way through this article from the EpochTimes.com ----- first of all, it will make you furious (especially if you have been on or been ordered to take any of the myriad of antidepressants available), and secondly, yes, the article does relate to bioidentical hormone therapy.