Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises Can Help Manage Urinary Incontinence In Older Women

A lot of you have likely heard of Kegel exercises, but probably few of you practice them on a regular basis. This article from Medical News Today might change your mind! I learned about them years ago, after a car crash in 1992 crushed my pelvis. I had an amazing physical therapy team (good thing, too, because the doctors involved were morons!) who taught me the Kegel exercises. Urinary incontinence is an issue with some menopausal women, particularly those who have had a number of children. Enjoy the article, practice your exercises, and have a great day (it is rainy and gloomy here in Charlotte, perfect day to curl up with a book when I get back from doing errands!)

6 ways exercise can cure depression

I would modify that title to 6 ways to ease depression----but whatever, this article lists some of the reasons to think about incorporating regular exercise into your routine to help with the common symptom of depression in peri/menopause (and yes, I know, the artitcle comes from an Iranian newspaper-----but the information included in it is pertinent no matter what your nationality).

If you are interesting in seeing Suzanne Somers in person---

She is going to be in Toronto in late October (click here for more information) --- tickets are up to $135. She is likely going to be doing these talks all over the US, as her new book on alternative cancer treatments is coming out in late October. Just thought I would let you know.

Testosterone spray may help post-menopausal women fight dementia

This is a very small study, but it's interesting to see how hormones affect every system of the body (bioidentical hormones go way, way beond hot flashes, everyone!) Click here to read about how testosterone affects the brain activity of older women.

How to Stay Sharp as a Tack

Not to be confused with being sharply tacky (sorry, I'm in a silly mood this morning!) This is an excellent article from Natural News on ways to keep your cognitive function at optimal levels as you age.......and in the last year, this has become a particular passion for me, as I have two friends who are dealing with dementia.

Watch for depression during and after menopause

I know from reading emails from blog readers this is a major issue----check out this article from Reuters. Have a great day!

Over 65s should take high dose vitamin D to prevent falls, say researchers

First, this is a prime example of how much confusion there is about what constitutes a "high dose" of Vitamin D (I've long said the appropriate dose for you is what you and your doctor decide on --- for me it's 5000 IU's daily). Although this article from Physorg.com might not seem relevant right now (if you are not considered elderly) it does point out the need for Vitamin D, and it's also worth talking to your parents, grandparents, etc. about to help them live healthier lives.

Hot Flashes and Chills Coming Off Birth Control Pill?

I'm not endorsing (I don't know anything about it) the Hippocrates Health Lifestyle program, but I wanted to share this article with you (also a You Tube video that's basically just an audio of the article). The article discusses why a woman coming off birth control pills would experience both hot flashes and chills (something not uncommon---I hear it from a lot of women). Two points:

I plan on taking bioidentical hormones the rest of my life---I'm not figuring on spontaneously regenerating hormones even when I'm post menopausal (there's a lot of disagreement in the BHRT community on this one).

The last sentence of the article: " ........ find a way to make a smooth landing - bioidentical hormone replacement would be a big help here - that’s easy to do under the care of a good bioidentical hormone therapy doctor." cracked me up! Maybe this physician does not understand how hard it is to FIND a good bioidentical hormone doctor, especially one who charges less than the cost of a house for a consultation. Sigh, we have a long way to go in educating the public and other physicians----------have a great weekend, everyone!

Diabetic Women Experience More Hip Bone Loss at Menopause

From HealthandAge.com-----this morning's article concerns diabetic women losing more hip bone loss at menopause. I am not diabetic but thought this might be of interest to some of the blog readers. I do know, however, that after three years of bioidentical hormones, my last bone density scan showed enough improvement in my bone density that I no longer have osteopenia, and in fact, my bone density measurements in the hip, spine and femur indicate that I am comfortably in the normal range!

Getting fatter in mid-life may worsen hot flashes

(I'm so sorry, I thought this posted early this morning------I just realized the post was saved as a draft but not posted to the blog!)

I would have worded the title of the article a little differently but-----the information is important reading. This morning's article is from Reuter's, and you can access it by clicking here.

I am playing a bit of "hookey" today!

I am a huge believer in taking care of the mind as well as the body (and I really need to do a better job with the body---I'm working on it!) The weather here in the Southeast was miserable for over a week, but autumn is one of my favourite times of the year here---usually the days are sunny and mild, and the mornings and evenings are cool. This week the weather has just been gorgeous, and since I am originally from an area where the weather isn't too great---I try never to waste a glorious day like today!

I decided to take a little break from the routine and take a "road trip". The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, NC (about a 50 minute drive for me) is an absolute treasure here in the Piedmont. I go twice a year, in April for the spring flowers, and in late September/early October to see the butterfly exhibit. I have a new digital camera that was given to me, and I had an absolutely marvelous time taking pictures of all of the beautiful exhibits.....I was somewhat surprised when I got home that I had taken well over 200 pictures in less than 2 1/2 hours! I edited down the bunch to about 125, and just sent files of 100+ pictures over to have a print made of each------I make notecards with my flower prints, and when I pick the pictures up then I can look them over and decide which ones I want to get made into multiple prints (when they go on sale for 10 cents a print!). Next Tuesday I am going with a group of ladies to a rose garden here in Charlotte (and yes, actually roses bloom the most beautifully here in NC in October--who knew?)

While these flower pictures may not have a lot to do with hormones-----I certainly feel more balanced after spending several hours in such a beautiful setting and walking around outdoors (I definitely got my dose of Vitamin D today) in the sunshine. I also know that when I work on making my notecards, it relaxes me and releases endorphins, and it balances mind and body. Take a bit of time to do something for yourself today, take a walk, enjoy a flower, or do something with your hands----for me it's crafting my cards, or as most of you know, I am also a voracious knitter! Have a great day, I may be back with an article post later, if not, I will be back on track tomorrow.

How to Get Bioidentical Hormones

This morning's article is from ehow----a site I have used for other things, but not anything hormonally related. You learn something new every day! A couple of points:

Bullet point #1 says to educate yourself, and I couldn't agree more!!! Read up on BHRT, including books (written by health care professionals) websites, articles, etc. Yes, you are going to find a lot of conflicting information out there, because BHRT is still in its infancy in the US, but you need to be an informed patient so you and your doctor and your compounding pharmacy can work together.

The article does not mention anything about checking out any new physician, and my regular blog readers know I am a huge advocate of research, research, research. Every state in the country has a medical board (there's a link on the right side of the blog page to access your state's medical board site) and also check to see if your physician is board certified (I use the ABMS.ORG site for this---link on the side of the blog page too.)

The weather here in Charlotte is sunny, cool and crisp----smells like autumn! Great day to go for a walk later this afternoon, I've already been to work out today (circuit training today, good thing I love the instructor as I hate weight training!) I hope everyone is having a great, healthy day------and I am going to steal a line from Dr. Oz. At the end of his show, he always tells viewers to take one thing they have learned from that show and share it with one other person---that's how we will get healthy together. If you find a particular article I have shared on the blog benefits you or someone you care about, share it with one other person ----- that's how we will balance the world's hormones. Take care.

How to solve 9 sleep problems

Oh, boy-----I bet almost everyone reading this post has experienced (or is currently experiencing) one of these 9 sleep problems outlined in this article from CNN/Real Simple. I know until I got my hormones balanced, I had terrible issues sleeping for years, and of course it's a vicious cycle------you can't sleep, then you are exhausted during the day, then you are so overtired you can't sleep----and so on. Have a great (wide awake) day, everyone!

Menopause and Diabetes: Things You Should Know

Is there a link between diabetes and menopause? Click here to read the article....

THIS is why I encourage you to check out any new doctor!

Reading this just makes me crazy (crazier). First, check out this article from June 9 in the Orange Country Register about "Dr." Daryn Peterson. Oh, it gets better....now read this article dated September 24 from the same newspaper (by the way Orange County Register, great research department----you didn't even check out if this guy had a real medical license???? My blog readers are way ahead of you on this one).

You absolutely have to check out a doctor's status with his state medical board. One of the "well known" doctors in Southern CA has big problems with the CA medical board (hint: he wrote a book) is practicing under tight restrictions that, if not met, will result in the loss of his license. I am also a big believer in going to a doctor who is board certified, and board certified in a specialty relevant to dealing with hormonal imbalance. My own physician is a board certified Internal Medicine specialist, but there are also OB/GYN's, endocrinologists, and a couple other specialties out there who are practicing incorporating BHRT into their medical care. There are other board certified physicians who are board certified in things like opthamology, dermatology, psychiatry, etc. who may be very good, or who may be just trying to make quick money from women who are desperate to feel good. You need to ask some very hard questions of any new doctor.

I have a whole list of resources to help you find a new doctor/compounding pharmacy if you wish to pursue bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Drop me an email and I will get the list to you. Have a great, safe Sunday everyone!