menopause-benefits

Menopause Has Benefits???

One unfortunate menopause symptom that many people fall prey to is the belief that life is over after menopause. Life isn't over after menopause, in fact for many it has just begun!

Whether you are in early menopause, experiencing pre menopause symptoms or whether you have crossed over into complete menopause, one thing you should recognize is that for much life continues to improve after the change.

Life after Menopause

For most women pre menopause begins at or around the age of 40, with most women reaching actual menopause in their early 50s.

Once menopause occurs, your body will never be the same. That isn't necessarily however, something negative. In fact many consider the changes that occur during menopause a positive sign that they are maturing and moving on into the next phase of life.

It is important to remember that the average life expectancy for a woman exceeds that of men, and for many that means living well beyond the 70s and 80s. To that extent you should consider menopause a sign that you have only lived half your life, and still have half a lifetime of experiences to come!

When you look at it that way, menopause is like a stepping stone into the next part of the journey that is your life!

Benefits of Menopause

• There are actually many benefits for women who have reached menopause. Think about the following:
• After menopause, you no longer have to deal with monthly menstrual cycles, which are often accompanied with cramping and bloating.
• You can have sex with wild abandon after menopause, because you no longer have to worry about getting pregnant.
• Many women report that their relationship becomes stronger after menopause because they communicate more with their partner.
• Sex can be more liberating after menopause, particularly at an age where most women are just coming into their own.
• Reaching menopause is a sign that you are physically and emotionally mature enough to handle all the tuff stuff that life has to dish out with grace and elegance.
• Living life fully and completely after menopause will depend on a number of factors. First and foremost you have to be willing to embrace your body and the changes it is going through or has already gone through.
• Most women accept the fact that their body will undergo changes over the course of a lifetime. Puberty is a perfect example of a time when your body went through remarkable changes. As a young woman, you were probably more than willing to accept the changes that were taking place during puberty however, to become a woman. Likewise, during puberty you probably felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable initially as your body changed and blossomed into something new.
• The same is true of menopause; during menopause there are some periods of awkwardness as you learn to adapt to your changing body, both physically and emotionally. However once you have passed through this period you will blossom once again into your mature self, a vision to be beheld with wonder and excitement.
• One thing that is crucial for your happiness after menopause is establishing meaningful relationships with friends, family members and peers. Touching and intimacy, physical contact, communication and companionship are all vital elements of life after menopause.
• Remember too that it is important that you not focus too much on one element of your self, such as any one symptom you might be having, but rather your body as a whole.
• If you find you are struggling to adapt to your changing body, be sure to reach out to other women who are going through menopause as well. You will find all the comfort and reassurance you need during this remarkable time in your life!

menopause-pre menopause symptoms

Per menopause Symptoms: - Menopause isn't something that occurs overnight. In fact, most women will experience early menopause symptoms and the signs of menopause years before their periods actually stop, for most women, per menopause or pre-menopause will happen long before full blown menopause occurs.

Per menopause:- Menopause isn't something that occurs overnight. In fact, most women will experience menopause symptoms and the signs of menopause years before their periods actually stop. For most women, per menopause or pre menopause will happen long before full blown menopause occurs. Per menopause is best defined then, as the period of time leading up to menopause.

What Happens during per menopause

Much like during menopause, per menopause is a period of time when a women's hormones fluctuate and change.

The symptoms of per menopause often begin years before a woman's period actually ceases. Menopause isn't a process that happens overnight; rather over a period of a few years a woman's health and body goes through many different changes both physically and emotionally.

During per menopause a woman might experience many of the same symptoms they would associate with menopause, including:

Headaches, Night sweats, Hot flashes, Weight gain, Insomnia, Heart palpitations, Fatigue, Urinary problems, vaginal dryness
Depression and Anxiety
Fortunately most of these symptoms can be managed and even eliminated through a variety of interventions, including diet, exercise and supplementation. Many women actually go through the first stages of per menopause without even realizing that their body is undergoing any drastic hormonal fluctuations.

If you are someone who has experienced excessive pms symptoms in the past, you may be likely to experience more of the symptoms of per menopause than someone who has not.

When can I Expect per menopause Symptoms to Strike? Most women will experience per menopause around the age of forty, however this may vary for a woman depending on a number of factors including genetics. If your mother started experiencing signs and symptoms of per menopause earlier then you are more likely to as well. For some women it isn't uncommon to experience signs of per menopause in the late thirties.

For most women per menopause will last anywhere from five to fifteen years. The good news is that during this period of time you can live an ordinary and healthy life. Many women can get pregnant during the per menopausal period, so do not assume that because you are having some of the signs of menopause that you are infertile.

When does True Menopause Symptoms Begin? True menopause is officially defined as the period in time when your menstrual flow stops completely. Menopause can be diagnosed after your periods have ceased for at least one full year.

For most women this occurs sometime after the age of 50. It is important to know that even after menopause your body will go through a number of changes. Thus it is vital that you still seek out routine care from your healthcare provider and engage in a variety of healthy activities to maintain your health and well being.

If you feel that you are having any of the signs or symptoms of per menopause or menopause, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider for an exact diagnosis. Some of the signs and symptoms of per menopause are similar to those of other diseases or conditions, thus it is important that you receive an accurate diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider can work with you to develop a reasonable healthcare routine that will help you minimize any symptoms you are having and continue leading a normal, healthy and productive lifestyle.

menopause-weight and menopause

Weight Gain during Menopause:-
Many women experience menopausal weight gain more than any other symptom of menopause. In fact, menopause is often considered one of the most common causes for weight gain.

The good news is however, that you do not have to sacrifice your figure during or after menopause. Many women go through menopause looking as good if not better than they did in their younger years.
What Causes:- Weight and Menopause?

It is not uncommon for some women to experience weight gain anywhere from ten to fifteen pounds during menopause or per menopause. Weight gain during menopause might happen for any number of reasons.

For some women the weight gain is associated with a decreased metabolism. For other women their thyroid function begins to decline in the years preceding and after menopause. Changes in body composition also occur as a result of hormone fluctuations, which can result in weight gain. Some of the most recent studies suggest that some women are simply hungrier during menopause, which can impact caloric intake and subsequent weight gain.

Managing Menopausal Weight Gain:-

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to control weight gain during menopause. The best thing you can to is engage in a regular routine of exercise. Your exercise routine should incorporate resistance training, which not only helps build muscle, it helps burn fat.

Resistance training is also beneficial for building and maintaining bone mass, a crucial factor in women going through menopause.

You should also take a good look at your diet. If your metabolism has slowed and you have not significantly reduced your caloric intake or increased your activity level, you will gain weight. Some women find that reducing their caloric intake slightly is enough to halt weight gain during menopause. Others find they need to eat well and maintain a regular exercise regimen.

Regardless of your weight status, you should aspire to consume foods that are high in fiber, low in calories and nutrient dense. If you do this and embark on a regular exercise regimen, chances are you will halt or at least slow any weight gain during menopause.

What are some good food choices?

Legumes

• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Fruits, particularly those with the skin on (apples, pears)
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins, including fish, chicken and pork
• If you are following a well balanced diet and exercising, yet still find that you are putting on weight, be sure to visit your healthcare provider's office. They can measure your thyroid levels to ensure that your thyroid is functioning properly.
• Remember that weight gain during menopause is not inevitable, but it can happen! If you take steps to eat right and exercise however, you will head off any excessive weight gain and find that your figure remains as flattering as ever throughout your menopausal years!

menopause-weight and menopause

Weight Gain during Menopause:-
Many women experience menopausal weight gain more than any other symptom of menopause. In fact, menopause is often considered one of the most common causes for weight gain.

The good news is however, that you do not have to sacrifice your figure during or after menopause. Many women go through menopause looking as good if not better than they did in their younger years.

What Causes:- Weight and Menopause?

It is not uncommon for some women to experience weight gain anywhere from ten to fifteen pounds during menopause or per menopause. Weight gain during menopause might happen for any number of reasons.

For some women the weight gain is associated with a decreased metabolism. For other women their thyroid function begins to decline in the years preceding and after menopause.

Changes in body composition also occur as a result of hormone fluctuations, which can result in weight gain. Some of the most recent studies suggest that some women are simply hungrier during menopause, which can impact caloric intake and subsequent weight gain.

Managing Menopausal Weight Gain:-
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to control weight gain during menopause. The best thing you can to is engage in a regular routine of exercise. Your exercise routine should incorporate resistance training, which not only helps build muscle, it helps burn fat.

Resistance training is also beneficial for building and maintaining bone mass, a crucial factor in women going through menopause.

You should also take a good look at your diet. If your metabolism has slowed and you have not significantly reduced your caloric intake or increased your activity level, you will gain weight. Some women find that reducing their caloric intake slightly is enough to halt weight gain during menopause. Others find they need to eat well and maintain a regular exercise regimen.

Regardless of your weight status, you should aspire to consume foods that are high in fiber, low in calories and nutrient dense. If you do this and embark on a regular exercise regimen, chances are you will halt or at least slow any weight gain during menopause.

What are some good food choices?

Legumes

• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Fruits, particularly those with the skin on (apples, pears)
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins, including fish, chicken and pork
• If you are following a well balanced diet and exercising, yet still find that you are putting on weight, be sure to visit your healthcare provider's office. They can measure your thyroid levels to ensure that your thyroid is functioning properly.
• Remember that weight gain during menopause is not inevitable, but it can happen! If you take steps to eat right and exercise however, you will head off any excessive weight gain and find that your figure remains as flattering as ever throughout your menopausal years!

medication

Medications Used During Birth

Now that you are pregnant, your excitement is probably growing as you anticipate welcoming your new little baby into the world. But despite this excitement, you may be a little [or even a lot] nervous about getting through labor first. Deciding whether or not to use medications during labor and delivery can be particularly nerve wracking for many moms-to-be. But you can lower your anxiety levels considerably just by becoming familiar with the types of medications that you may be offered during childbirth. Here is some detailed information about the various types of labor medications, their side effects, and the pros and cons of using them.
Epidural

The epidural is by far the most common type of medication given to women during birth. An epidural is actually a mixture of anesthetic medications [like lidocaine or chloroprocaine] and narcotics [like Demerol or morphine]. An epidural is administered through a catheter. This catheter is inserted in your back into the space surrounding the outside membrane of your spine. It helps to relieve labor pains by blocking most of the pain that you experience in your lower body. The epidural takes about 20 minutes to start working, but it allows for continuous pain relief while you are giving birth.

Pros :

The epidural blocks most child birth pains

It works for extended periods of time

You can easily control the amount of medication that runs through the epidural catheter

An epidural leaves you awake and alert for labor

Cons :

It is an awkward procedure and takes time to begin working

An epidural makes it necessary to have continuous fetal monitoring

You may lose your ability to stand or get out of bed for the rest of your labor

Epidurals can interfere with your ability to push, extending your labor

Occasionally, epidurals can cause your blood pressure to drop, decreasing baby’s heart rate

Very rarely, epidurals can cause severe headaches [if spinal fluid leaks during insertion of the catheter]

Spinal Block

Like the epidural, the spinal block is a mixture of anesthetic medications and narcotics. It is administered during the active stages of labor or just prior to a cesarean section. The spinal block works immediately to relieve pain as the medication is injected directly into the fluid in your spinal column. A spinal block provides total pain relief from the chest down for up to two hours.

Pros :

Spinal blocks allow for complete pain relief

A spinal block allows you to remain awake and alert throughout labor

Cons :

The spinal block procedure can be uncomfortable to have administered

A spinal block can cause loss of bladder control, necessitating a catheter

Spinal blocks can cause a decrease in your blood pressure, which may lower baby’s heart rate

A spinal block may interfere with your ability to push

Side effects can include itching, tingling, nausea, and lightheadedness

Systemic Medications
During labor you may also be offered various narcotics and tranquilizers to help you deal with any pain and anxiety that you may be experiencing. Narcotics help to dull your labor pains, but they won’t eliminate them completely. Tranquilizers won’t be helpful for your pain, but they can help to reduce your anxiety, allowing you to rest during labor. These medications are usually given intravenously or through intramuscular injection. They usually last between four and eight hours.

Pros :

These medications can reduce pain and relieve anxiety effectively

They may allow you to catch up on rest during the early stages of labor

Tranquilizers and narcotics can be administered easily, without the help of an anesthesiologist

They are less likely to slow labor

Cons :

Systemic medications can pass through the placenta and enter baby’s bloodstream, making him less active upon delivery

These medications may affect baby’s health, including his heart rate and ability to breathe

Side effects can be unpleasant and include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and itching

Narcotics are less effective on pain than the epidural or the spinal block

These medications may reduce your memory of labor and delivery

Pudenda Block

A pudendal block uses anesthetic medications to numb the area between the vagina and the anus. You may be offered a pudendal block if you have had an episiotomy or if a tear has occurred during labor. A pudendal block can also help reduce the pain associated with a vacuum-assisted delivery or a forceps delivery. A pudendal block lasts anywhere from several minutes to an hour.

Pros :

A pudendal block provides excellent local pain relief

The pudendal block rarely causes any side effects for mom or baby

Cons :

A pudendal block doesn’t relieve labor contractions

This medication can sometimes decrease your urge to push

Rarely, a pudendal block can cause your blood pressure to drop, which may interfere with your baby’s heart rate

There is a possibility of an allergic reaction with a pudendal block

masturbating

Masturbating

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know : It can be excellent therapy to open up and talk about masturbating, to give details of your technique as well as to express yourself concerning your responses during your masturbation and climax; the release you feel in your genitals after a satisfying self-induced orgasm or frustration for those times you masturbate and find no release. Let readers share your experiences or mark it private.

What do you like about this subject? There is no expense associated with masturbation unless you want to buy some toys or supplements for enhancement, and everybody can do it regardless of age.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject Females are beginning to masturbate at ages younger than ever before. Mature women also benefit greatly if they learn to masturbate successfully. All ages can become orgasmic. For some individuals it takes a little more effort and maybe some coaching, but is certainly possible. Any age female can learn to masturbate and find intense pleasure and needed sexual release.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? I want more girls to try masturbating. You don’t have to learn to masturbate, but if you ever want a sexual experience with another person in the future you need to get in touch with your sexual feelings and masturbation will help you a lot with that. Try it and see how good it feels. All you really need to do is locate your clitoris and rub it.

emotional burden

Emotional burden of miscarriage

Early pregnancy loss represents a significant emotional burden for women, and to some extent for men, especially with regards to anxiety.

For many, the detrimental effects of miscarriage are enduring and display a complex course of resolution. Its been seen that many women and theirs partners continue to feel anxiety for more than a year after a miscarriage. As compared to depression, anxiety can prove to be more of a clinical burden in people who experience miscarriage.

To assess the long-term emotional impact of miscarriage on couples, researchers at Dr. Gray's Hospital, Elgin, United Kingdom studied symptoms of depression and anxiety in 273 women and 133 men within one month after the women experienced a miscarriage, and again 6 and 13 months later. These subjects were initially assessed by a semi-structured interview and a standardised self-report questionnaire. The latter was re-administered at the follow-up assessments.

The results showed that the main psychological burden in couples after a miscarriage was anxiety. Of the 273 women and 133 men who completed all assessments, just over 10 percent of the women and 4 percent of the men showed depression within the first month following miscarriage. After 13 months, depression could be identified in about 2 percent of the women and the men. Within the first month after miscarriage, over 24 percent of the women and over 5 percent of the men showed anxiety. At the final assessment, anxiety was still evident in nearly 16 percent of the women and over 4 percent of the men.

Thus, it is important for doctors to address the possibility of a negative psychological aftermath of a miscarriage and its potential negative effects on relationships, mental health, work and future pregnancy.

postmenopausal

Calcium intake benefits postmenopausal women

Women in early menopause who consume less calcium are at a greater risk of developing osteoporosis than their peers who take more calcium.

But the fact that these women are also more likely to be overweight, and thus have denser bones, may help protect them from brittle bones. However, it is unwise to offer a choice between drinking milk and gaining weight for protection against bone loss, as overweight people have a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Researchers from the University of Milan investigated how calcium intake and body weight might affect osteoporosis risk among women shortly after menopause. They evaluated bone density in 1,771 women who were not taking calcium supplements, estimating their calcium intake by determining how often they ate dairy foods. The more dairy the women consumed, the less likely they were to be overweight, and their average body mass index [BMI] - a measure of weight in relation to height - dropped as calcium intake rose. Calcium intake was not associated with osteoporosis when being overweight was not considered. However, when being overweight was considered in the analysis, women with the lowest calcium intake were more likely to have osteoporosis than were women with the highest calcium intake.

Thus, in early postmenopausal women, a low dietary calcium intake may increase the risk of osteoporosis, but its negative effect can be offset by the greater BMI found in women with a low calcium intake. However, further research is warranted to prevent, rather than treat, osteoporosis and to find safer alternatives to oestrogen in modifiable lifestyle factors such as nutrition.

blood pressure

Inadequate sleep raises BP risk in women

Women who regularly get less than seven hours of night sleep may have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

A number of previous studies have linked poor sleep quality to an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Much of the research was focused on people with the breathing disorder - sleep apnoea, but some evidence suggests that sleep deprivation, in the absence of any overt sleep disorder, also takes a health toll.

Researchers from the Warwick Medical School in Coventry used data from a long-term health study of 10,300 white British civil servants aged between 35 and 55 years old. The researchers focused on participants who were free of high blood pressure in the 1997-1999 phase of the study and were reassessed in 2003-2005. During these two phases, 76 per cent and 68 per cent, respectively, of the original group were included in the evaluations. At both examinations, hypertension was defined as blood pressure more than 140/90 mm Hg or regular use of anti-hypertensive medications. At reassessment, 20 per cent of the study participants were newly diagnosed with high blood pressure, and the risk was greater among women who slept for shorter durations. Compared with women who said they typically got seven hours of sleep at night, those who slept for six hours were 42 per cent more likely to develop high blood pressure, while those who routinely slept no more than five hours had a 31 per cent higher risk. Risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, being overweight or having a sedentary lifestyle, did partially contribute to the relationship. However, an independent link between sleep and blood pressure still remained. This could be because sleep deprivation might contribute to high blood pressure by keeping the nervous system in a state of hyperactivity, which in turn affects systems throughout the body, including the heart and blood vessels.

There was, however, no clear relationship between amount of sleep and blood pressure among men. The findings suggest there may be a "gender-specific" relationship between sleep deprivation and high blood pressure. However, the underlying reason is still not known. Further studies are needed to confirm that sleep duration, itself, affects blood pressure levels, and why these effects might be different in women and men.

heart attacks

Heart attacks preventable in women

Women can reduce the risk of heart attacks by eating right, staying physically active and keeping way from alcohol and smoking.

Heart disease is one of the most important causes of death and disability in women. As they approach menopause, women become more susceptible to heart disease. Simple changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, can reduce this risk, e.g, consuming a healthy diet and moderate amounts of alcohol, along with three lifestyle factors: nonsmoking, waist-hip ratio less than 0.85, and being physically active [at least 40 minutes of daily walking or bicycling and 1 hour of weekly exercise].

To assess the risk of heart attacks and its prevention in women, researchers at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm studied the dietary and lifestyle patterns of 24,444 postmenopausal women. At the beginning of the study, none of the women had heart disease, diabetes or cancer. By analysing information contained in food frequency questionnaires, in which the women noted how often they ate 96 different foods, four major dietary patterns were identified. They were: healthy [vegetables, fruits and legumes]; Western/Swedish [red meat, processed meat, poultry, rice, pasta, eggs, fried potatoes and fish]; alcohol [wine, liquor, beer and some snacks]; and sweets [sweet baked goods, candy, chocolate, jam and ice cream]. Other information, including family history of heart disease, education level, physical activity, and body measurements, was also collected. These women were followed up for 6 years during which 308 heart attacks were identified.

The results showed that women who maintained a healthy diet - eating lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish and legumes - and drank a moderate amount of alcohol had a 57-percent lower risk of having heart attack, compared to women who maintained a less healthy diet and lifestyle pattern. The women combining the healthy diet and moderate drinking with the three healthy lifestyle factors [not smoking, being physically active and avoiding too much weight gain] had a 92-percent lower risk of heart attack.

Thus, by making simple changes in their diets and lifestyle, women can avoid the risk of heart disease.

chronic cough

Iron deficiency can lead to chronic cough

Some women suffering from chronic cough may need iron supplements instead of cough drops.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from otherwise unexplained chronic cough. Also, iron deficiency is very frequent in women due to pregnancy and menses. To correlate these two unrelated facts, Italian researchers from the University of Turin studied 16 women with chronic cough. These women had normal lung function, with no signs of asthma or other respiratory disease and no evidence of acid reflux from the stomach that could explain their coughing.

Tests on these women with chronic cough showed that all had iron deficiency anaemia and a simple iron supplement often cleared up the cough. All the women had signs of swelling in the back of the mouth and red, inflamed mucous membranes. Their vocal cords were also very sensitive, making them cough and choke easily, such as after vigorous laughing. These women were given iron supplements to improve their iron stores, and when these had normalised, after about two months, they were checked again.

The results showed that after iron supplementation, coughing and signs of inflammation in the mouth and vocal cords were improved or completely resolved. The hypersensitivity was nearly gone or vastly improved in all the women. This was attributed to the fact that iron helps regulate the production of proteins in the immune system that control inflammation, and iron deficiency might make the upper airway more prone to inflammation, leading to chronic cough.

Further research is required to study this association in detail. However, women patients with chronic coughs should be checked for iron deficiency.

pregnant women

Air pollution can harm pregnant women

Traffic related air pollution could have harmful effects on both the fetus and the mother to be.

Though air pollution is a major health problem affecting everyone, in the case of pregnant women, there is a greater risk both for the fetus and the mother to get affected by it. It is believed that women who live in areas with a high level of pollution are more likely to suffer pre-term birth as compared with women who live in less polluted areas.

To investigate the affect of pollution on pregnant women, researchers at the School of Public Health at the University of California, Los Angeles collected detailed information for more than 2,500 women who gave birth in Los Angeles County 4 years back. By conducting one-on-one interviews with the women, the air pollution risk was separated from other pre-term birth risk factors.

The results showed that the association between air pollution and increased risk of pre-term birth persists after accounting for other factors that might influence pre-term birth risk such as smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke and alcohol use. Women who live in areas with high carbon monoxide or fine particle levels - pollution caused mainly by motor vehicle traffic -- are more likely to give birth to pre-term babies [delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy], when exposed to such pollution, compared with women who live in less polluted areas. This is especially true for women who breathe polluted air during the first 3 months of pregnancy or during the last months and weeks before delivery.

Thus, pregnant women need to take extra care in case they happen to live in highly polluted areas.

bacterial vagueness

Condoms lower the risk of bacterial vagueness

Women who use condoms consistently can lower their risk for bacterial vagueness and associated changes in vaginal microflora.

Bacterial vagueness is caused by an imbalance of the bacteria normally found in a woman's vagina, referred to as vaginal microflora, which is upset by an overgrowth of bacteria not usually present. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. Symptoms include discharge, odour, pain, itching and burning. Although any woman can get bacterial vaginosis, some activities or behaviours can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk. These include having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners and using an intrauterine device [IUD] for contraception. It was unclear how effective condoms are at reducing bacterial sexually transmitted infections.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania investigated condom use, bacterial vaginosis and the growth of vaginal microorganisms associated with bacterial vaginosis in 871 women at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Overall, women who consistently used condoms [10/10 sex acts] had a 45 percent decreased risk of bacterial vaginosis compared with women who did not use condoms. For women at an intermediate stage of bacterial imbalance, consistent condom use had even more protective effects [63 percent risk reduction].

The findings support the theory that bacterial vaginosis is sexually transmitted, and provides a further rationale for recommending that women use condoms to reduce the risk of bacterial vaginosis.

menopausal symptoms

Helps treat menopausal symptoms

Pine-bark extract might offer a hormone-free alternative to reduce symptoms such as hot flashes in women entering menopause.

Pycnogenol, an extract of the bark of the French maritime pine tree [Pinus pinaster], contains a high concentration of antioxidant compounds that help prevent cell damage. It also seemed to ease symptoms of women starting menopause. Research suggests that the extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and may improve blood flow by enhancing blood vessel dilation.

Researchers from the Ham-Ming Hospital in Taiwan studied 155 women between the ages of 45 and 55 years entering menopause. At the study’s onset, fatigue, headache, vaginal dryness and menstrual problems were among the most common symptoms in the women. Roughly half of them were randomly assigned to take 100 mg of Pycnogenol, twice a day for six months; the rest took placebo capsules. All of them completed questionnaires on their symptoms at the outset, then again three and six months later. It was found that women in the Pycnogenol group reported improvements in symptoms ranging from hot flashes and sexual dysfunction to fatigue and depression. In addition, blood tests showed that the women's antioxidant levels climbed, while their cholesterol levels improved slightly. However, all symptoms tended to improve over six months of Pycnogenol treatment. In contrast, women who took placebo capsules generally showed no change, or sometimes worsening symptoms.

These findings are encouraging, since many women suffering from menopausal symptoms want an alternative to hormone replacement therapy, and pine bark extract may offer such an alternative.

migraine and depression

Childhood abuse may lead to migraine and depression

Women who have been victims of child abuse and suffer from migraine are more likely experience depression later in life.

Researchers from the University of Toledo-Health Science Campus surveyed 949 women with migraine about their history of abuse, depression and headache characteristics. Forty per cent of the women had chronic headache, more than 15 headaches a month, and 72 per cent reported very severe headache-related disability. Physical or sexual abuse was reported in 38 per cent of the women and 12 per cent reported both physical and sexual abuse in the past.

It was found that women with migraine who had major depression were twice as likely as those with migraine alone to report being sexually abused as a child. If the abuse continued past the age of 12 years, the women with migraine were five times more likely to report depression. The finding that a variety of somatic symptoms were also more common in people with migraine who had a history of abuse suggests that childhood maltreatment may lead to a spectrum of disorders, which have been linked to serotonin dysfunction. It was also found that women with depression and migraine were twice as likely to report multiple types of abuse as a child compared to those without depression, including physical abuse, fear for life, and being in a home with an adult who abused alcohol or drugs.

The findings indicate that abuse in childhood has a powerful effect on adult health disorders and the effect intensifies when abuse lasts a long time or continues into adulthood. The findings also support research suggesting that sexual abuse may have more impact on health than physical abuse and that childhood sexual abuse victims, in particular, are more likely to be adversely affected.

testosterone

Testosterone patches for women

Testosterone patches can restore sexual drive in some women going through surgical menopause.

Due to the reduced levels of testosterone after menopause, there take place a lot of physical changes in women. These changes are often seen as resulting in loss of libido, decreased sexual activity, diminished feelings of physical well-being and fatigue. Testosterone therapy is an option for the restoration of sexual drive. Testosterone patches can significantly boost the libido for some women with sub par sex drives after surgery to remove their ovaries, who report an average of one additional sexual encounter a week after starting to use the hormone.

To assess the effectiveness of testosterone patches, American researchers analysed the results of a six-month trial of testosterone patches in 132 women reporting a lack of sexual desire resulting in personal distress or relationship problems. All these women had got their ovaries removed. This resulted in low production of sex hormones, including testosterone.

The results showed that a mixed response of women to testosterone patches. While some women reported no benefit, others found them useful. Fifty-two percent of the 64 women who were on the patches said they experienced a meaningful benefit, compared to 31 percent of the 68 women on placebo. The women who reported a meaningful benefits said they were engaging in 4.4 more episodes of satisfying sexual activity every four weeks, compared with 0.5 episodes more per month for women who reported no benefit. However, women who reported no benefit from the patches also showed no significant change in desire or distress, still seldom feeling desire and often feeling distress.

Although, the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any type of testosterone therapy for females, it's estimated that as many as one in U.S. testosterone prescriptions in US are written "off-label" for women.