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!