New Website for Menopausal Women!

Hi everyone, I just received notice that there is a new forum for women to discuss and share menopausal issues ---it's over at Menopausal Chit Chat ---- I signed up and have already shared some of my favourite books on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Check it out!

Helping Your Husband Understand Perimenopause

Since I am single, this is one issue I did not have to deal with, but so many women who write to me tell me that their husbands are less than sympathetic with their menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes. This morning I ran across this article from Xomba.com----it has some "ways" to make your husband more empathetic to your hot flashes.

'Gaps' found in lactose intolerance

From APP.com (article originally published in USA Today)----a brief article on lactose intolerance and how it can affect bone health. Click here to read the article-----

Suzanne Somers on The O'Reilly Factor

Plan ahead when changing doctors

From Cleveland.com------some good tips on covering your bases when changing doctors (which a lot of us have had to do to get good hormonal care). Click here to read the article.

Changes During Menopause Increases Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Check out this article from ScienceDaily.com---nothing really new here, it's been believed for many years that estrogen protects women from heart disease when they are younger (premenopausal), so it stands to reason that as a woman ages and loses estrogen (not all women lose most of their estrogen----I'm a prime example as I am estrogen dominant) their chances of cardiovascular problems increase. Balancing your hormones (bioidentically, of course, and under the care of a practitioner who knows what he/she is doing) goes way beyond alleviating menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, fatigue, etc), hormones affect every system in the body.

Low Vitamin D Levels Raises Blood Pressure

From NaturalNews.com------one more possible side effect of adequate Vitamin D levels! I've been taking 5000 IUs for about 4 years now (and boy, this winter it has sure helped with holding off Seasonal Affective Disorder----in relative terms, we've had a rough winter in NC), and my blood pressure is fine (I used to take medication for it, but not anymore.)

Tiger Woods' Bizarre Behavior Could Be Linked to Hormonal Imbalance, Says SimplyAgeless411

It had to happen (I'm actually surprised this is the first time this has come up)----Tiger Wood's behaviour is now being attributed to a hormone imbalance. My only comment is if he gets his hormones bioidentically balanced and then speaks openly about it---well, let's just say we're going to suddenly have a lot more practitioners to choose from! Click here to read the article from PRNewswire.com.

All set for the day?

Adrenal fatigue is real (and I've got the blood work results to prove it)---and it affects a growing number of citizens of all nations. I'm guessing the incidence of adrenal fatigue has risen dramatically in these last two years with all that has gone on in the world. This article from TheHindu.com gives a brief overview of adrenal fatigue, and a few suggestions to help you reduce the level of stress in your life.

I have a couple suggestions to add:

Relaxation tapes/CD's, or in my case, I found some great relaxation programs to listen to on my IPod. I am using ones right now by Andrew Johnson (search it on ITunes), he has a very mild Scottish brogue, and it really helps me to settle down.

Make time in your day, even if it's just for a few minutes, to just sit quietly---do nothing---let your mind relax (this takes practice).

Learn (there are a number of resources on the Internet) to breathe deeply. Some doctors suggest it even helps reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. I know that when I take the time to really be conscious of my breath, it helps me to not tense my back muscles so much, thus relieving some of the fatigue in my back.

Get a hobby! I picked up my knitting again about five years ago, and my life has never been the same. It helps to relax me when I am stressed, my hands are busy and when I am knitting I don't eat (junk food), and I have even made new friends knitting----I'm in two knitting groups and it's a lot of fun to sit and talk and knit (some knitting groups even refer to themselves as Stitch 'N Bitch!). In the spring and fall, I also like to visit gardens and take pictures, which I then turn into notecards. Here's a few of the pictures I took about a month back at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Orchid Conservatory:

Doesn't just looking at those pictures make you feel a bit more relaxed? Have a great weekend, everyone!

Study: Happiness Good for the Heart

This article is all over this morning --- I saw it in the Charlotte Observer. Click here to read...and then get out there and experience a little happiness today!

Lab Tests That Can Tell You What’s Going On With Your Hormones

Talk about serendipity---I just had two people email me in the last two days about the saliva vs. blood testing. This article from MenopauseTheBlog.com has good information on the subject---click here to read the article.

Sleep yourself skinny: It's not only leaving us shattered and ill. Experts say too little shut-eye is making us fat

Lack of sleep as a contributing factor to obesity is not a new concept---it's been well known for years. I know in my own case (pre hormone balance) that I would get so upset and anxious about laying awake for hours that I would get up and eat (something unhealthy) just to comfort myself. this article from the DailyMailOnline.com has some good recommendations for sleep hygeine, as well as some information on the research. Sleep has been a struggle for me because of chronic pain issues (back pain from a bad car accident), but it sure has improved since I went on BHRT. A recent "find"-----I have an app for my IPhone that's a sleep meditation---by Andrew Johnson. He has this very mild Scottish brogue that I find very soothing. Best $2.99 I've spent this year.....drop me an email if you want more information about it. Make it a great day---the sun is out here in NC, but oh, it's still too cold----come on spring!

New Recommendation: Why You Need More Vitamin D

I'm a big fan of Dr. Andrew Weil, he has a common sense approach to medicine and he comes across as someone you can trust. I was pleased to see this article featured in TheHuffingtonPost.com --- Dr. Weil has increased his recommended daily dose of Vitamin D3 (which is not really a vitamin but a prohormone) to 2000 IU's daily, up from 1000 IU's daily. As always, talk to your doctor about this, and if needed get your levels checked (most insurances will pay for it, but check with your carrier). For the record, I have been taking 5000 IU's daily for about 4 years, I feel great, no side effects.

What Is A Normal TSH Level ?

Oh, man, if I had a $1 for every time I have been asked this question ----- check out this article from HealBlog.net-----and for the record, my last TSH level was .155.......I'm a happy camper!

More Die of Heartbreak, More Often than You Might Think

This morning I'm including an article from True/Slant.com ------ on how emotions can affect our health. Carefully read the fourth paragraph on how heartbreak can cause a flood of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. This can in turn lead to an increased risk of heart disease.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!