The Herb: Black Cohosh

Years ago, many women did not live long enough to experience menopause. And, if they did, it was often associated with dread and wariness due to the many difficult symptoms menopause can cause. As Life expectancy has increased, so has the use of hormone replacement therapy (the conventional medical treatment) to alleviate these symptoms. However, many of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are stilt unproven, the therapy has some serious associated health risks, and its use remains controversial. Women have had to choose between the difficult symptoms of menopause and the potential risks of HRT.

Nature, however, has provided women with scientifically studied alternatives in the treatment of the many symptoms of menopause. These supplements are extremely effective and provide women with a genuine choice in treatment.

Menopause is a natural cessation of a woman’s period for one year. It signals the end of a woman’s fertility and ability to become pregnant. As a woman enters menopause, her ovaries slowly decrease their production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Her periods become more and more irregular until they completely stop. Estrogen and proges­terone production also eventually end.  Menopause occurs usually between the ages of 35 and 58, with an average of approximately age 50.

Just as every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique, so is every woman’s menopausal experience. Some women may have all of the symptoms of menopause, while others may have just a few. Likewise, some women have relatively mild symptoms while others’ can be quite severe.

In early menopause, some women may experience mood swings, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, changes in tolerance to heat or cold, joint and muscle pain, allergies, and headaches. As production of estrogen decreases, additional menopause-related changes may include irregular menstrual patterns, night sweats, fatigue, vaginal dryness, fluctuations in sexual desire or response, forgetfulness, hot flashes, and weight fluctuations.

Black cohosh, a medicinal plant used for hundreds of years, is emerging as an effec­tive treatment. It’s backed by modem clinical research and is highly effective in treating the symptoms of menopause. Extracts from this woodland plant were first used by Native Americans and later by American colonists.Black cohosh has been demonstrated to be as effective as HRT for relief of hot flashes, night sweats, and some other menopausal symptoms, yet without its complications.

Scientific research on the specific chemistry of black cohosh has established this supplement suppresses secretion of a substance called luteinizing hormone (LH). One function of estrogen is to sup­press the effects of LB.

Menopause results in high levels of LH in the blood, which in turn is responsible for associated symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, heart palpitations, and drying and thinning of the vagina.   —–Dr. Marcux Laux ND Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the herb in treating menopausal symptoms. In 1982, a German study collected data on 629 patients treated with black cohosh from 131 health care practitioners and gynecologists. The researchers found that after six to eight weeks of treatment, 80% of patients experienced beneficial effect. A 1987 double-blind study compared estrogen replacement therapy with black cohosh for three months in 80 women. Thirty women were given estrogen, 30 were given black cohosh, and 20 received placebo. The authors concluded the black cohosh preparation not only produced safe and effective results, but compared to estrogen replacement therapy, is suitable as the treatment of choice for menopausal women.  

[Via http://jcherbalproducts.wordpress.com]

Premarin, Provera & Prempro: Wyeth Not?

A recent article in the NY Times discussed the dangers of synthetic hormonal drugs such as Premarin, Provera and the compounded form or the two, distributed by Wyeth under trade name Prempro. Ever since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the FDA has come down pretty hard on companies for the manufacture and distribution of the drugs and with good reason. According to extensive studies, the use of synthetic hormonal treatments such as Premarin, although somewhat effective in treating symptoms associated with menopause, can often lead to health complications such as premature heart attacks, blood clots and breast cancer.

Premarin, a concentrated mixture of various chemicals found in horse urine and Provera, a synthetic, chemically modified derivative of progesterone are both extremely dangerous to humans because they are NOT produced naturally by the human body. In fact, ALL synthetic hormones, regardless of their source often pose a myriad of risks because they interfere with the body’s natural production of hormones.

There is however a safer and more natural and effective way to balance your hormones while sparing yourself the damaging side effects. They’re called bioidentical hormones, meaning that they are identical to the hormones that your body would be producing naturally on a molecular and cellular level. Bioidentical hormones are particularly effective when used in conjunction with a customized nutrition and supplement regimen to optimize health and wellness.

The Solution:

BodyLogicMD is the nations largest network of highly trained physicians specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and customized nutrition and fitness. BodyLogicMD’s bioidentical hormones experts have helped tens of thousands of women and men overcome symptoms associated with perimenopause, menopause and andropause (the male menopause) using their three-pronged approach to wellness.

The first step in balancing your hormones is to get your hormone levels tested to determine if a hormonal imbalance is present. If comprehensive diagnostic testing seems unnecessary, but you’d still like to know whether or not you’re suffering from a hormonal imbalance, you can take the online Hormone Balance Test  to gain a clearer picture of how your body is holding up hormonally.

[Via http://bioidenticalhormoneexperts.com]

Weekly News Round-Up, 12/13

The DVD for “A Walk to Beautiful,” fistula documentary I’ve written about here in the past, is on sale through the 24th.

@vuglobalhealth has a bunch of tweets from a lecture on women and reproductive health in resource-limited settings from UCSF’s Dr. Purnima Madhivanan.

One key line from a piece in The Nation on proposed cosmetic surgery tax, NOW’s opposition to it, and feminism: “Feminism is about fighting a discriminatory society, not about accepting that discrimination and making it more cost-effective for women to capitulate to it.”

The Joint Commission has resources on preparing for doctor visits.

Aunt B points to the Swedish renaming of the hymen to “vaginal corona.”

Every Day, Good Women Choose Abortion – at RHRC.

Lauredhel at Hoyden has Three Examples of Rape Culture in Nice Guy(tm) Breast Cancer Activism.

Cara at the Curvature points to and talks about a New Report About Sexual Violence on College Campuses.

The CDC has a report on disparities in deaths from H1N1 2009 flu among American Indian/Alaska Natives.

Silvia Henriquez of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health writes that Latinas need voice in abortion debate.

The New York Times reports on Menopause, as Brought to You by Big Pharma.

Also, a piece on Mammogram Math.

Lots of interesting links via Feminists w/ Female Sexual Dysfunction (and more), including The New Breast Cancer Guidelines: Debunking Some Myths by Sungold at Kittywampus. Although I Just recently caught those FFSD links, I’ve been checking in there periodically since we had a bit of a discussion/disareement at OBOS.

Not health-related: via Resist Racism, I am Korean American.

[Via http://womenshealthnews.wordpress.com]

การปฏิบัติในการดูแลรักษาสตรีวัยหมดระดู

3018654    การปฏิบัติในการดูแลรักษาสตรีวัยหมดระดู    Practical Management of the Menopause

การปฏิบัติในการวินิจฉัย และการสืบค้น ข้อบ่งชี้ ข้อห้าม และภาวะแทรกซ้อนจากการให้ฮอร์โมนทดแทนในสตรีวัยหมดระดู

(Practical aspects in the diagnosis, investigation; indications, contraindications and complications of hormonal replacement therapy in menopausal women.)

(3018654 จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย)

[Via http://sclaimon.wordpress.com]

Read This or I'll Slap You

I’m hormonal as hell.  Menopause sucks scissors.

I’m hot flashing and night sweating and crying and bitching and yelling and blaming and wanting to kill something.

I’m fat and bloated and hot and cold and horny and you better not touch me and then I’m happy and sorry and apologizing and crying and eating all the chocolate and drinking all the beer and wine and crying more.

I want your attention and you better give it to me but you better leave me the hell alone if you know what’s good for you after you give me more chocolate and wine and tell me that I don’t look fat and that’s an order.

I love you all.

[Via http://mimisuzy.wordpress.com]

Perdarahan Berat Saat Haid

Sepuluh Penyebab Perdarahan Berat Saat Haid Perdarahan Berat Saat Haid

Sebagian perempuan mungkin pernah mengalami dan merasakan perdarahan yang berat saat haid. Terkadang kita sering berpikir apakah perdarahan tersebut termasuk normal atau tidak (perdarahan berat saat haid/ menorrhagia).

Lalu bagaimana cara kita tahu perdarahan yang kita alami termasuk tidak normal? Cara termudah adalah dengan mencatat seberapa sering kita mengganti pembalut atau tampon. Seseorang didiagnosa menderita menorrhagia (perdarahan  berat saat haid), jika selama haid, harus sering mangganti pembalut lebih dari 1-2 jam sekali, atau jika selama seminggu penuh kita mengalami perdarahan yang banyak.

Sepuluh penyebab teratas perdarahan berat saat haid (menorrhagia):

1. Ketidakseimbangan hormon saat remaja atau menjelang masa menopause merupakan penyebab yang terbanyak . Pada saat remaja setelah datangnya haid untuk pertama kalinya, dan beberapa tahun sebelum datangnya menopause, kadar hormon mengalami proses fluktuasi yang bisa berakibat perdarahan berat. Oleh karena itu, seringkali untuk menangani menorrhagia akibat ketidakseimbangan hormon melalui pemberian pil KB atau hormon lain.
2. Tumor  fibroid pada rahim. Perlu diketahui bahwa tumor fibroid bersifat tumor jinak dan biasanya terjadi di usia 30an atau 40an tahunan. Hingga kini penyebabnya belum jelas. Beberapa operasi tersedia untuk mengatasi tumor fibroid mulai dari myomectomy, endometrial ablation, uterine artery embalization, dan terapi balon rahim seperti juga hysterectomy. Pengobatan non-operasi menggunakan agonists gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), kontrasepsi oral, hormon androgen, RU486 atau mifepristone salah satu jenis pil aborsi, dan gestrinon. Agonist GnRH adalah obat yang bekerja melawan GnRH pada otak. Sedangkan beberapa perempuan mengaku pengobatan alami lebih efektif. Jika masa menopause muncul, tumor biasanya ukurannya  mengecil dan menghilang meski dengan tanpa pengobatan.
3. Polip serviks. Polip berukuran kecil, tumbuh di permukaan mukosa serviks, atau pada saluran endoserviks dan  menonjol pada mulut serviks. Penyebabnya belum jelas, namun seringkali akibat infeksi dan dikaitkan dengan respon abnormal terhadap meningkatnya kadar estrogen atau terhalangnya pembuluh darah kecil pada serviks. Sebagian besar perempuan yang menderita polip serviks adalah yang berusia 20 tahun dan telah memiliki anak. Biasanya diobati dengan pengobatan rawat jalan.
4. Polip endometrium. Dia bukan kanker, tumbuh dan menonjol dipermukaan rahim. Penyebab belum jelas, walaupun demikian keberadaannya sering dihubungkan dengan kelebihan kadar estrogen atau beberapa tipe tumor ovarium. Pengobatan dilakukan dengan hysteroscopy dan D&C. Dengan pemeriksaan laboratorium patologi maka akan diketahui status polip, apakah mengarah ke kanker atau tidak.
5. Penyakit Lupus. Lupus adalah peradangan kronis pada beberapa bagian tubuh, khususnya kulit, tulang sendi, darah dan ginjal dan termasuk penyakit autoimun. Para penderita Lupus diyakini mempunyai kecenderungan genetik Lupus. ilmuwan meyakini bahwa faktor lingkungan, infeksi, antibiotik (Sulfa dan Penicillin), sinar UV, stres yang berat, hormon dan obat-obatan memicu munculnya  gejala Lupus. Gejala-gejala antar pasien satu dan yang lain bervariasi, pengobatan dilakukan melalui mengindari stres berat hingga pengobatan non-steroid anti peradangan atau NSAIDS, asetaminofen, steroids, antimalarial sytoksik atau obat immunosuppressif, dan antikoagulan.
6. Penyakit Radang Panggul (PRP) adalah infeksi satu atau lebih organ yang berakibat pada rahim, tuba falopi, dan serviks. PRP sering disebabkan oleh infeksi menular seksual. Pengobatan PRP yang dianjurkan yaitu dengan terapi antibiotic.
7. Kanker serviks. Muncul ketika sel-sel pada serviks berkembang abnormal dan jumlahnya tidak terkendali dan menghancurkan bagian-bagian  tubuh yang sehat. Hampir lebih dari 90% kanker serviks disebabkan oleh Human papillomavirus (HPV). Pengobatan dapat dilakukan dengan operasi, kemoterapi dan terapi dengan radiasi.
8. Kanker endometrium. Perempuan yang divonis kanker endometrium, umumnya berusia lebih dari 50 tahun, pernah mengalami hyperplasia pada endometrium, atau sering menggunakan terapi penggantian hormon (hormone replacement therapy). Pengobatan pertama dilakukan melalui pengangkatan rahim (hysterectomy), jika memungkinkan dengan kemoterapi atau radiasi.
9. Intrauterine devices (IUD). Perempuan yang menggunakan IUD berisiko mengalami perdarahan saat haid. Bila hal ini terjadi segera ganti IUD dengan metode kontrasepsi yang lain yang sesuai.
10. Gangguan perdarahan. Jika perdarahan yang timbul sulit untuk dihentikan. Jenis paling umum penyebab gangguan perdarahan von Willebrand Disease (VWD).

sumber: womenshealth.about.com

Produk CNI yang bisa membantu mengatasi perdarahan berat saat haid yaitu:

• CNI Sun Chlorella 3X5 tab/hari
• CNI Ester-C Plus 2X1 tab/hari
• CNI Marine Organic Calcium 3X1 tab/hari (diminum setelah makan)
• CNI Lyophilized Royal Jelly 2X1 tab/hari

Produk CNI adalah “Produk Kualitas Menengah Atas, Harga Menengah Bawah”

Ladies of the world, flashers, sweat-ers, mood swingers...it's World Menopause Day!

Lend me your ears….you have your own DAY! In the U.S. we give you a month. But the world gives you a day!  And it’s TODAY!  I wrote this rant last  year and it’s still so appropriate that I thought I’d repost it.

I wish I could laugh about it. Because as my Twitter friend @lilpecan wrote me yesterday:

“Who doesn’t enjoy a little menopause humour? (No, really? Who doesn’t? Because I’ll kill them.)” (Gotta love that, right?!)

In any case, my thoughts about World Menopause Day. Kill it!

Last month was National Menopause Month in the U.S. Now, the ‘world of women in menopause’ actually has a day. I swear if it weren’t abundantly clear that the initiative was likely being driven by national medicine societies and pharmaceutical companies, I’d suspect that Hallmark and PaperHouse had conspired to sell more cards.

Here’s the challenge issued by the International Menopause Society (IMS):

“The World Menopause Day challenge therefore calls on every woman age 45 and older to return to her physician and speak about her individual health history, her risks for diseases, the benefits and risks of available treatments for disease prevention, and steps she can take now to take charge of her health.”

President Hermann Schneider of the IMS also says:

“Due to the recent publications on the risks of long-term use of hormone therapy, many women suffering from menopausal complaints have either dropped out of therapy or haven’t started therapy at all.”

Okay. I truly believe that it’s a great idea to take charge of one’s health and examine some of the natural changes that occur, not only with menopause, but also with aging. But by lumping them all together in a single pot, well, I cry “foul.”

Did you know that many diseases that the medical community has long associated with menopause are, in fact, due to the aging process? You may recall that I recently wrote about a new study published in the Journal of Hypertension clearly demonstrates that differences in heart disease risk between pre- and post-menopausal women with similar risk profiles existed only when age, NOT ESTROGEN LEVELS, were accounted for. This may be why hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has not been proven to prevent heart disease.

So, until they sort some of these bits out, do we really want to fault women for refusing hormone replacement? Moreover, how many women wish to make a pact with the devil to further the medicalization of menopause? Not I!

Here’s what I propose:

• To the IMS and other medical societies – stop medicalizing what is a natural transition in our mid-lives. Hey, here’s a nifty idea: why not review your data, read alternative medicine peer-reviewed journals and educate yourselves about effective alternative therapies for your patients who have been scared off by the negative findings surrounding HRT and antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals? What’s more, what if you made a greater effort to embrace multidisciplinary collaboration and invite educated and credentialed alternative practitioners into your fold, practitioners who might be able to offer you and your patients important solutions when Western ways fail or are simply, impractical?
• To the World Health Organization – please stop telling us to celebrate the menopause. Trust me – when women are flashing in the middle of a meeting, sweat pouring down their faces as their colleagues look on, or are sleeping on soaking wet sheets because of night sweats, well, they don’t really feel like having a cocktail and a “WOOT,” ain’t life grand”-sort of celebration. Maybe, instead, think about devoting some of that hard research cash toward studies that focus first on women and last on profit.
• To leading women’s health expert and Council Member of the British Menopause Society, Mr. Nick Panay, a Hot Flush Diary is the last thing I want to keep on my nightstand. In fact, the idea of taking notes on all of my hot flashes and night sweats and when/why/how they occur and how they make feel gets me pretty hot under the collar. Tell you what: the next time you have to pee for the zillionth time in the middle of the night, turn on the light and write in your BPH journal how you feel. I would guess that that’s not going to happen, right?

Want to “make this hot woman cool?” Stop making me feel as though menopause is a disease and not a natural transition that all women go through. Stop telling me that I should embrace this part of my life without fighting it every step of the way. And please, stop treating my body as if it’s disconnected from my mind.

(Sex) Life After Menopause?

By Dr. Laura Berman, creator of DrLauraBerman.com

Menopause may be the final phase in a woman’s reproductive cycle, but it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter in her life. A giant myth surrounding this life stage is that menopause means the end of sex. The reality is that your sex life postmenopause will be much like your sex life premenopause: It’s entirely what you make of it.

Naturally, there are some challenges to overcome and changes to get used to. The first step is to educate yourself about what to expect as you approach and pass through this phase. Physically, tissue changes may decrease genital sensation and lubrication, and your hormones can cause dramatic fluctuations in temperature (hot flashes). Emotionally, you may notice mood and energy changes that may negatively affect your libido.

Menopause can cause some women to feel as if they’re suddenly in someone else’s body — declining estrogen levels may cause your body to store excess weight in new places (you may find yourself gaining fat around the abdomen or even on the back rather than around the hips, thighs, and butt, as younger women commonly do), and lower testosterone levels can reduce your muscle mass and tone. Keeping fit with a regular exercise routine and healthier eating habits can do a lot to minimize the physical effects of declining hormones — but it’s only half the battle. The other half is conquering your mind. You need to believe you are still sexually desirable on the inside and out. And you are!

You should treat this time as a gateway to new possibilities, sexually and otherwise. Maybe menopausal symptoms will inspire you to focus on your health. Or perhaps your newfound freedom from worries over pregnancy and menstruation will spark a new flame in your sex life. Postmenopausal women do still enjoy sex — sometimes even more than before! The truth is, sexual desire declines naturally for both men and women as we age. But it doesn’t disappear, and your chances of achieving sexual satisfaction when you do want sex can remain completely unchanged.

Menopause is a time of profound physical and emotional changes, and with every change comes the opportunity for renewal. Appreciate the possibilities for growing into a new you. Adapting to life’s changes is challenging, but the sooner you accept this next phase of the journey, the sooner you can start to enjoy it!

Whoever thought I'd live this long?

Ever think that?  When I was young the last thing on my mind was “what do I do when I hit 50?  What will I be like then?  What will life be like for me then?  Do people after age 50 have any fun or any reason to go on living?  I believe so.  That is what this blog will be about.  It will touch on health and fitness, goals, hobbies, hopes and dreams.

Well, since I did turn 50 some of those questions are being answered.  One sad but true fact for me is this.  All that I did over the past 49+ years has a whole lot to do with what my “life after 50″ is like.  And much of my time was wasted on “dead end” relationships, too much drinking and partying in my 20’s and just general indifference to my future.  Now that I am coming into my elderly years(well what else can I call them?)I am seeing things from a whole new perspective, duh, lol:)

I goal here is to definitely bring some hope where there doesn’t seem to be any, some laughter for those that might be having a hard time turning that frown upside down(like moi)and to sort of share whatever I am learning along the way, with all of you:)

I know many who come and read will think or even say things like “you’re still young”, or “you are blessed”, or “look at all those in worse shape”.  I know that those things can be absolute truth.  But this isn’t about counting blessings.  Although I think that is a wise thing to do, all through life.  This is about how to improve your quality of life no matter how good your life may look to others.  This is a blog on learning to feel good about our lives over the age of 50, as well as our future years to come.

If you are not happy and fulfilled, if you are depressed and can’t see a reason to go on, I want to talk to you because that is me.  I struggle every, single day to figure out why I am here, why am I not being chosen for the job, why is there always something new going wrong with my body, why aren’t there men winking or hitting on me anymore(not that there has ever been a flood of them;)

I so hope you will join me, comment, encourage me.  2 things I feel I have going for me today is, this free blog, I know how to type, I have some experience to share that may help another woman, and I spent a whole 10 minutes on an exercise bike.  That’s it so far, oh yeah, I got out of bed which is always a good thing;)

Maybe the most important thing we women have is eachother.  I used to be threatened by other women.  They were competition for me maybe.  They were prettier, smarter, wealthier, poorer(I felt ashamed around these gals)but the truth is.  We are all the same when you take away the material or the skin.  We all have different experiences.  We can’t all be friends because personalities will forever stand between some of us.  But we can hold onto the similarities and use those to help one another.

High School Reunions make you Feel Old

So today I am preparing to go out-of-town for yet another milestone, my 30th High school reunion.   I hated high school. I was not one of the popular girls and that was ok with me. In fact if it weren’t for Facebook and coming across other ‘normal people’ I went to school with, I wouldn’t even bother going, but now many of us have reconnected and people who would have never gone to these things are going. Three of my girlfriends and I are leaving our husbands behind, renting a room together, and I think we will create a slumber party atmosphere as we pig out on cookies and popcorn and catch up on 30 years of our lives apart.

Wow 30 years! If you had asked me at 17 what I’d be doing 30 years from now, I probably would have suspected I’d be dead. And honestly with the lifestyle of my teens and early 20’s, I probably should be. When you are that age you don’t think of the consequences of your actions. I try every day to instill that thought into my two boys.  If I had known that little fact 30 years ago I may have done things differently, but then again probably not.

Ah youth, something so easy to take advantage of and yet so fleeting. What I’d give for a wrinkle free face, a tight ass, and a flat stomach. And the energy, my god what I’d trade for that energy! I truly think the heavens got this aging thing all wrong, we should start old and grow young, like Benjamin Button. What good is the knowledge of 50 years when you no longer have the energy to do anything with that knowledge?  It’s sucks!

I think back to that time especially my early 20’s and how I abused my body. It was one never ending party. Yep I was a party girl, up all night trying pretty much everything that came my way. I was living the high life, literally. Never sleeping, drinking ,drugs, you name it, most likely I tried it. It’s a wonder I came out whole on the other side…or did I? Flash Forward about 25 years and I find out I am hypo-thyroid, now on thyroid medicine for life. Forward another 4 and I had reached full blown adrenal fatigue. I couldn’t hardly get out of bed, I started having major skin infections, and then the anxiety set in, sleepless nights of worry and panic, maybe I was going mental. Life as I knew it had ended. I was a mess.

Now some of this is natural aging it happens to every woman, but I can’t help but think had I taken better care of myself, I may had been able to have kids, (my boys are adopted) my transition into menopause would have been easier, and I think much later. I mean menopause at 46? What’s wrong with that picture?  But my body came to a screeching halt> My very cells screamed… NO MORE ABUSE! TAKE CARE OF US OR WE>>>YOU>>>WILL DIE!

 Let me tell you I listened. It’s only been one year since that protest and I must say I feel better than I have in probably 15 years and I’m getting better everyday. I may never have that flat stomach of 25, but by god I’m getting close. And my energy is returning too. And believe it or not, this weekend I will be that party girl once again, within the limits of wisdom of course.

So how did I come about this transition? Stay tuned and I’ll tell you how.

Increased Testosterone (Not Decreased Estrogen) Causes Weight Gain in Menopausal Women

For years we have believed that pre-menopausal women were protected from heart disease and stroke by estrogen and when estrogen levels decreased after menopause this lead to the increased risk for heart disease.  A new study published in the August 2009 issue of Obesity suggests that changes in testosterone levels may play an important role.  The SWAN (Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation) study examined the relation between testosterone blood levels and visceral fat in women at different stages of menopause.  They found that higher testosterone levels were more likely to be associated with increased visceral fat (belly fat) than lower estrogen levels.  Previous studies have reported an increased incidence of the metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes) in women with higher testosterone levels.

 These are early results but suggest that increased levels of male hormones (testosterone) may be contributing to the weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol that occur around menopause. 

“Take Charge: A Woman’s Guide to a Healthier Heart” discusses how women can help control their cholesterol and other risk factors to prevent a heart attack, stroke and diabetes. “Take Charge: A Man’s Roadmap to a Healthier Heart” is due to be released Fall 2009. For more info visit www.heart-strong.com

Keep it greasy...with Zestra®

Sexual desire an issue? Not feeling it?

That isn’t my problem but when I was approached by the folks at Semprae Labs to test Zestra®, their hormone-free, topical “Essential Arousal Oils™, I thought, hey, what the heck? I’m all for research! And they sent me clinical data supporting its theoretical effectiveness, which peaked my interest even more.

What is Zestra, you ask?

Zestra contains a proprietary blend of borage seed and evening primrose oils (purportedly to increase blood flow and nerve sensitivity), angelica root extract (to improve arousal/desire) and coleus forskohlii extract (to boost performance/orgasm). On its packaging, it says that “Zestra works effortlessly and within minutes by heightening your sensitivity to touch — for deep, pleasurable sensations, sexual satisfaction and fulfillment.

Zestra was tested in a small clinical study comparing its effectiveness versus a placebo oil in 20 women with and without difficulties with arousal. During the study, participants were asked to use Zestra 5 times and then complete a questionnaire on side effects and sexual function (i.e. desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain). Study findings showed the following:

• Participants with normal function reported highly significant improvements in arousal while those with female sexual arousal disorder reported highly significant improvements in arousal, orgasm and satisfaction.
• The most commonly reported side effect was a burning sensation in the genitalia that subsided within 30 minutes.

So, this was the study population.

What about me?

Zestra ain’t “zesty.” The oil has a unpleasant smell. Following application, it heats up the vaginal area but that’s about it – heat – and not the sexual, I want to/have to have you kind of heat. Nope. No increase in desire, arousal or sensitivity to touch.  No added improvements in satisfaction. Just one unpleasantly warm, greasy vagina.

Is it just me? Evidently not. Here’s what some friends have to say about Zestra:

“Smells like an overly-sweet candle shop or bad potpourri. Not an enticing scent. Taste is chemical and bitter. Too greasy. Nice, slightly warming effect, but felt no unusual or heightened sensation. Actually had to work harder because I was so turned off by the Zestra scent. Zestra will be sleeping alone from now on!!!”

“OH. MY. F***ING. GOD. I hated that shit. It burned and I couldn’t even wash it off afterward. Who the f**k knows if it increased arousal? I was too busy burning to notice.”

Like my gal pals, I couldn’t wait to shower Zestra off. In fact, Zestra left me wanting less, not more.

I’ve got lots of zest. But not for Zestra.  Zestra – you underwhelm and underwow me.

Sorry Semprae. This one’s a dud.

About ME

Feeling tons better tonight. Thanks to Melanie and Abraham Lincoln for your good wishes. It gives me a frisson of pleasure to say thanks to Honest Abe: I am fascinated by American politics and presidents. I think it started back in the Eighties when I watched a mini-series about Theodore Roosevelt, and I know it became a part-time passion when I started watching The West Wing; and last year’s race for the Democratic nomination was truly exciting. I just hope President Obama’s hype is more than that. Not sure about that dancing on Ellen, though….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsWpvkLCvu4

I don’t know where my headache came from because I’m not prone to them and can usually ignore them; but this one had me flat on my back for almost 24 hours. My friend suggested it might be hormonal. Given that I’m a woman of a certain age, it’s a possibility. The last time I remember being so bad, I had not long given birth to Tory Boy. Or maybe it’s just my age: the Hub suffers migraines, but he hasn’t given birth to any children that I’m aware of.

The Hub’s migraines are connected to his CFS/ME, of course. He became ill with it in 1996. It isn’t life-threatening, but it is a life killer. Forget any hope of going back to your pre-CFS existence: it ain’t gonna happen. The prognosis for it is anything from six months to the rest of your life, with the average being ten years. Once he got to six years with it we started hoping he was average, but it’s going on for thirteen and he’s getting slowly but progressively worse. We’ve accepted – grudgingly – that he will never be well enough to work again, and that we will never go back to our pre-CFS life, but that makes it oddly easier to go on. Once you can accept your life has changed forever and that five-year plans are a waste of time (just ask Stalin), you can get on with it.

My next five minutes plan is a hot bath and cup of Earl Grey (decaf, naturally), then bed. It won’t pay the bills, but it’s about as perfect a plan as there is, as far as I’m concerned.

Sweet dreams!

The relationship between obesity and low self-esteem

This British study found that over 20 years, low self-esteem leads to obesity and not the other way around.

I believe low self-esteem leads to poor eating habits, especially the need to stuff yourself with sweets, which makes us feel the need to eat ever more carbohydrates to feel full.

It’s called stuffing your feelings instead of letting them out and dealing with them, and it can turn into a never-ending vicious cycle.  We stuff our feeling and try unsuccessfully to hide them.  Pretty soon they are showing all over our body!

[Via http://midlifecrisisqueen.com]

To Your Health...With Tofu

The star of yesterday’s recipe, Tofu Stir Fry, was none other than tofu. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, tofu is a versatile source of protein that takes on the flavors of whatever you cook it in, which makes it stand out in the protein world. But what is tofu and what are some of it’s benefits?

Tofu is made from the curds of soybean milk and is a great source of protein, which is wonderful for those who maintain a vegetarian diet. It is also a good source of iron, calcium (especially if it is enriched with calcium), and omega-3 fatty acids, which have cardiovascular benefits. Research has also shown that soy protein:

• lowers total cholesterol, LDL (”bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It also may increase HDL (”good”) cholesterol levels.
• helps alleviate symptoms associated with menopause.
• helps reduce bone less and decrease risk of osteoporosis.
• is a good source of antioxidants selenium and copper.

There are various types of tofu ranging from silken to extra-firm tofu.  The more firm the tofu, the more calories and protein it has. Here is a general breakdown of nutrition stats for different types of tofu (per 3 oz serving):

• Silken: 45 calories, 2.5 grams total fat, 4 grams protein
• Soft: 60 calories, 3 grams total fat, 6 grams protein
• Firm: 70 calories, 3 grams total fat, 7 grams protein
• Extra-Firm: 80 calories, 4 grams total fat, 8 grams protein

As you can see there isn’t a big nutritional difference between the different forms of tofu, so you should feel free to use any kind you want without worrying about calories and fat.

What’s your favorite tofu dish?

[Via http://nutritioulicious.wordpress.com]

October 13th: Holistic Professionals Lead Workshop on `Symptom-Free Menopause’

What do you get when you mix an acupuncturist, a chiropractor and a massage therapist?

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, it will be a holistic workshop called “The Secret to Symptom-Free Menopause.” Three holistic healthcare professionals will teach how women can slow the aging process as they reduce—and in some cases, prevent—menopausal symptoms.

The workshop is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Art of Natural Healing, 7773 Lake St. in River Forest, across the street from Lincoln Elementary School.

The presenters are acupuncturist Alejandro Fernandez, director of Art of Natural Healing; Dr. Linda Knowski, a chiropractor and naprapath who is founder of Tree of Life Health Center, 6968 W. North Ave., Chicago; and Michelle Donat, a Licensed Massage Therapist and stress resiliency coach who operates Relaxation Plantation, 715 Lake St. in Oak Park.

In their respective practices, all emphasize the importance of drug-free, natural approaches to attaining and maintaining better health.

Menopause, or the end of menstruation that signals the end of women’s reproductive fertility, usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. For women approaching or in the midst of it, striving for optimal health is essential for various reasons, said Fernandez.

Among other factors, he cited these:

• After menopause, the body converts one of the adrenal hormones into estrogen. Therefore, an evaluation of kidney and adrenal gland function is essential in hormone-related health problems.

• Too much tension and stress can cause organs to malfunction. An imbalanced organ system can impair hormonal balance.

• Women with low blood sugar can have dramatic shifts in mood, as well as vitamin and mineral levels, leading to a misdiagnosis as having hormonal problems. It’s crucial to clarify those situations.

• Nutrition and avoidance of specific chemicals in your food can significantly affect your hormones and your health.

In the workshop, Fernandez will discuss acupuncture treatments, herbal medicine and nutrition, following Chinese medicine principles that women should consider.

Knowski will discuss BioEnergetic Assessments, a non-invasive, computerized method of accessing the energy pathways of the body. The assessments enable a woman, in consultation with her practitioner, to determine appropriate treatments and remedies.

“Many women in menopause feel depressed and irritable. Others suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, and fatigue,” said Knowski. “I will outline alternative options for managing the symptoms and long-term risks associated with menopause.”

She will also discuss the endocrine system, a complex group of glands that, through hormones, helps to control reproduction, metabolism, growth and development. The system also controls the way you respond to surroundings and provides the proper amount of energy your body needs to function.

Donat’s talk will focus on stress relief. She will share practical tools, such as simple techniques you can use at home, to quickly rebound from stressful events.

The three are well acquainted with one another. Through their association with OPRF Partners, a chapter of Business Network International, the three have increasingly referred patients to one another as they have seen the complementary benefits that flow from that cooperative effort.

“`The Secret to Symptom-Free Menopause’ is a natural outgrowth of our collaborative effort these past few years,” said Knowski. “Alejandro, Michelle and I regularly exchange ideas and learn from each other’s insights and experience.”

“We have great confidence in one another’s ability to help people in ways that complement our individual areas of expertise,” Donat added.

The admission fee for the workshop is $25 and will be credited toward a visit with any one of the three holistic professionals. To register, call 708-366-8002.

For directions to Art of Natural Healing, click here.

For more background about the holistic professionals, click here.

[Via http://trialtotriumph.wordpress.com]