Tag Archives: osteoporosis

The Fracture Triangle

You’ve probably heard of the Bermuda Triangle… but have you heard of the Fracture Triangle? Your likelihood of breaking a bone after a fall is determined by three things: The fall itself The force and direction of the fall (how hard you fall, and what you fall on) The fragility of the bones that take the impact Falls are serious at any age, and breaking a bone after a fall becomes more likely as you age. Often there is a link between breaking a bone and osteoporosis — a disease involving the loss of bone tissue or bone density. If … Continue reading →

Menopause and Weight Loss

Aging is an inevitable factor of life and so is menopause. This passage of life can occur when a woman is between the ages of 35 and 60. The age range is so wide because this natural occurrence is unique to the individual. It is believed that a woman will experience menopause close to the age that her mother went through it. Outside factors like a hysterectomy or radiation treatment can bring about menopause early. This life event can take more than a decade to run its course. There are three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. When a woman has … Continue reading →

Adenomyosis: My Story Part #1 When Normal Is Different

When my symptoms first started it was easy to consider what was happening as something to be expected. My wonderful sister’s-in-law, long-time-friends, and any woman just slightly older suggested what was happening me–might be “The Change!” After all they had all been told by their gynecologists that they needed hormone replacements and were going through early stages of menopause when they were my age. Some were even younger! So for a long time, I just thought this was what early menopause was like. Never knowing when that time of the month might be. Feeling cramps and horrible discomfort with little … Continue reading →

Evening Primrose Oil

You may have heard some amazing claims about evening primrose oil, which comes from the seed of a small yellow wildflower. Depending who you ask, evening primrose oil can cure, treat, or prevent arthritis, hot flashes, PMS, eczema, high cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer! Most of these claims are unproven. Evening primrose oil is a great source of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid. They are called “essential” fatty acids because they are substances the body needs but does not produce on its own. You don’t necessarily need to get these supplements from evening primrose oil … Continue reading →

Black Cohosh

There are lots of plants out there that have been used for centuries as remedies for common problems. Black cohosh has gotten a lot of attention thanks to preliminary evidence that suggests the herb may help relieve symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup family common in North America. It is commonly known as black snakeroot, bugwort, rattletop, and rattleweed. The plant tends to be avoided by insects, which is probably how black cohosh earned some of its names! The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) are the parts of the plant that are used medicinally. Native … Continue reading →

Quality of Life not Improved by Hormone Therapy

A study done in Estonia seems to show hormone therapy does not significantly improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women. The interesting thing is that this study was performed on women who have, and don’t have, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Women who experienced hot flashes and night-sweats reported an improved general quality of life. I am not sure what part of this should be a surprise, but the study looked at more than just that. The study investigated the effect of hormone therapy on the use of health care services, illnesses and well-being. The reason why this … Continue reading →

Menopause and Bladder Problems

You think the hot flashes are bad? Another common symptom of menopause is bladder control problems, also known as urinary incontinence. During perimenopause and menopause, levels of estrogen in the body drop dramatically. Estrogen does things like control the menstrual cycle and body changes during pregnancy; this hormone also helps keep your bladder and urethra healthy. As your body goes through menopause and has less estrogen in action, the pelvic muscles that control your bladder can get weaker. There are different types of bladder control problems that can develop during and after menopause. Perhaps the most common kind of bladder … Continue reading →

What Is Perimenopause?

Okay… I’d never heard of perimenopause until my mother started going through it a few years ago. Perimenopause is the transitional stage in a woman’s reproductive life. It starts when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen, signaling the approach of menopause. For most women, perimenopause starts in the forties. Some women experience it in their thirties, too. The average length of the transitional period is four years, but the actual length may vary greatly from woman to woman. Some women are in perimenopause for only a few months; some are in perimenopause for as long as ten years. Perimenopause … Continue reading →

Dealing With Hot Flashes

The most frequent — and most annoying — symptom of menopause and perimenopause is the dreaded hot flashes. More than two thirds of all women going through perimenopause suffer from hot flashes. Nearly all women with premature menopause or induced menopause suffer from hot flashes. What is a hot flash? Doctors don’t know what causes a hot flash, but some suspect they are related to circulatory changes. Blood vessels near the skin’s surface dilate in an attempt to cool, producing a red, flushed look in the face. You may also perspire as your body attempts to cool down. You may … Continue reading →

Natural Remedies Against Hot Flashes

Studies show that treating menopausal women with a pill containing Rhubarb extract reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes. Especially in perimenopausal women the extract had a positive effect. This is a period just before menopause really sets in, when women start experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. Traditionally, hot flashes were treated with hormone replacement therapy, but the relationship between these hormones and heart disease and breast cancer has led to the search of alternatives. Hormone replacements should only be used in the short term, and are not a good long term treatment plan. A less risky substance could be … Continue reading →