What Health Conditions Can Menopause Cure?

Hope everyone had a great, safe, memory making holiday (for those of you who celebrate---for those of you who don't---like me----hang in there, it's almost over!)

Today's article is from Yahoo Voices ---- and it discusses several common medical conditions that are actually alleviated by menopause........nice to know there's some good news about declining hormones! For the record, I would far rather have hormonal balance (remember, this is not just about menopausal symptoms, hormones affect every system in the body) than to merely get rid of my PMS.

This is a slow news week in general, so if I don't post again this week, it's because there are no articles worthy of sharing with you. You never know, I am finishing up a book and may have a book review for you by the weekend. Enjoy this last week of 2011!

'Our Bodies' Gets an Israeli Makeover

This article from the Jewish Daily Forward really caught my attention because I have owned at least two versions of the book "Our Bodies, Ourselves". I remember when it came out in 1970 (I was 12), it was groundbreaking and very controversial. My mother did buy me a copy, but told me I was not to share it with my friends. As I remember, we had to go to a bigger city to purchase it, as the bookstore in our small town did not carry it. Times sure have changed.

I'm fascinated with the terms used for menopause in Arabic and Hebrew. The book coined new words for this time in our lives and I like them much better. I didn't realize in Israel that fertility treatments are covered by the government and therefore widely used. I am sad to say I do not know very much about the Israeli culture, but this article makes me want to learn more.

Why Some Women Can Have Problems Falling Asleep

Although this article by Dr. Michael Breus deals with sleep issues in all women, not just those in menopause, I thought it was worth sharing with you. It appears is this morning's edition of the HuffingtonPost.com. Be sure and check out the tips he shares at the bottom of the article---I found out a while ago that my best exercise time is in the morning. I was doing some fitness walking in the mid to late afternoon back about a year ago, and found that while I thought it would help "wear me out" to sleep that night, it actually wound me up a bit and contributed to my sleep issues.

Is menopause on the way?

From Third Age, a list of 28 signs that menopause is near-----click here to read the article.

Menopausal weight gain----

Big problem for all of us! The Huffington Post tackles it in this article....some pretty good information. I get so irritated, however, with these articles that chirp on about how "magnificent" menopause is------I am enjoying it immensely now that I am hormonally balanced, but too many of these articles seem to imply that if you just decide menopause is wonderful, it will be without any assistance with hormones. For some women, it's not a problem, and good for them, but for many of us we are made to feel like we just aren't trying hard enough, or we're depressed, or whatever other quick diagnosis some doctors come up with to get us out of their offices. I will now climb down off my soapbox (and head to the gym for my workout). Have a great day everyone!

Menopausal weight gain and gray matter---

Uh, oh, one more reason to try and keep our weight down/off (something I need to rededicate myself to---I did so well for a while, but when the economy tanked last year, I definitely found myself turning more to food to comfort myself), check out this article on menopausal weight gain and brain function.

Award-Winning Where Did My Wife Go? Helps Men Save Their Marriages and Relationships In Spite Of Menopause, Mid-Life Crises and Empty Nest Syndrome

Saving marriages threatened by the complications of menopause, mid-life crises and empty nest syndrome, this book gives specific and practical help for men trying to save their relationships and/or marriages.

(PRWEB) July 8, 2009 -- Author Jim Vigue's mailbox is regularly stuffed with thank-you messages from both men and women because his new book is helping marriages across the nation by offering practical ways to navigate the choppy waters of women's midlife transitions.
Vigue was recently named a medal winner of an IPPY Award from the Independent Publisher Book Awards for exhibiting the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change. A total of 4,090 entries were submitted throughout the United States, Canada and 12 English-speaking countries overseas. The Awards Committee cited Vigue's book as a superb example of someone's tackling an important subject that most authors would avoid.

"This award is very well deserved as this book is a remarkably sensitive explanation of this incredibly complex, but common and emotionally dangerous, life transition that menopause and midlife crises represent," said Lars Boman, MD, Diplomat of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

Author Named Finalist Along With Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield For Book Award
Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Canada) named Jim Vigue a finalist along with 150-million-plus booksellers and mega-authors Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield. (Chicken Soup for the Soul Series) "It is gratifying that my book is being mentioned in the same breath as Chicken Soup for the Soul," said Vigue. "We are getting great testimonials from readers who have been helped by the book but this industry recognition is also very encouraging."Vigue has a Master's Degree in leadership from Duquesne University and an MBA from the University of Dallas. He is CEO of the Hamilton Foundation, a 20-year-old 501C3 nonprofit organization. The foundation's website is www.menonpause.org.

Note from Andrea----I've not read this book (I'm not married) but it sounds like an interesting read, so I thought I would share it with my blog readers. Have a great day, everyone!

Good grief----

I ran across this article from the NY Times News Feed, and it talks about what women go through to find a "natural" solution to menopausal problems of weight gain, hot flashes, et. The article is really interesting, but what struck me was the statistic that in 2007, we spent $337 MILLION on dietary supplements associated with menopause. That's a lot of money!

Natural Menopause Relief-Turn Down Your Internal Thermostat

Women experiencing menopause and peri-menopause often wonder if there is anything they can do alleviate their symptoms naturally. Hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, sleepless nights and decreased libido are some common symptoms that can be reduced by some simple diet and lifestyle changes. With all the debates on hormone replacement, isn’t it nice to know you have the power to change how you feel naturally. Click here to continue reading...

Menopausal Barbie

We all know menopause is not for the faint of heart, and even if your breasts are made of plastic (and I don't mean you are addicted to plastic surgery----I mean if your breasts are really, really plastic), you will face challenges. Our favourite doll, Barbie, turns 50 this year, and The Times online talks about menopausal Barbie ------ check it at out by clicking here. NOTE: I'm having a really lousy day, so I am deliberately putting something silly and lighthearted on the blog today, while I look for some more substantive, informative articles on BHRT, hormones, menopause/andropause, and related issues!

Great letter!

Dr. Wulf H. Utian (do you not love that first name?) is/was the Editor in Chief of Menopause Managment (a journal for doctors). I ran across this article from the N/D 2007 issue, Time for Another Letter. It's as relevant now as then. Great reading.