Yet another definitive work on menopause by someone who thinks going thru it qualifies them to expound on the subject to other women with the presumption that the rest of us don't have a clue. This someone, Ellen Dolgen, thinks ""vagina is such an awkward medical term" and so, in her book, decides to call it a "shmirshky" hence the charming title of "Shmirshky: Think Inside the Box". What can we say? How about Vagina, Vulva, Labia, Clitoris, Hymen, Mon Pubis, Cervix, Fallopian tubes, Ovaries? Not to mention... »
Health & Fitness
Women’s memories better than men’s despite menopause
The Mail Online reports on recent memory tests undertaken as part of the National Child Development Study in the UK. Resaerchers tested the memory ability of 10,000 men and women all born in the same week in 1958. They found that the women out-performed men. And this despite the fact that many of the women would be in menopausal transition -... »
Breast feeding gain is lost at menopause?
Business Week reports on a study presented at the American Heart Association conference on cardiovascular health in San Francisco headling that "Breast-Feeding Helps Mom Stay Slimmer Later in Life". The study looked at mothers who averaged age 51 and had given birth at least 19 years ago. They found that on average they had waist circumferences that were of 2.6 inches smaller than... »
Common Osteoporosis Drugs Are Associated With a Decrease in Risk of Breast Cancer
SEATTLE, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Women who take some types of bone-building drugs used to prevent and treat osteoporosis may be at lower risk of breast cancer, according to a study by U.S. researchers published today in the British Journal of Cancer. The study found that women who used bisphosphonate drugs, such as Fosamax, Boniva and Zomita, for more than two... »
HRT increases cataract risk – add alcohol and it gets worse?
ONSSuperSite report on a Swedish study that links links hormone replacement therapy and elevated cataract risk. Apparently, naturally secreted estrogen appears to protect the eye from cataract, but estrogen from outside sources in the form of hormone replacement therapy does not. Study data showed that women who had ever used hormone replacement therapy had a 14% higher risk of cataract than women who... »
Menopause increases heart risk
United International Press Health News are reminding women that as they enter menopause their risk of heart attack increases. More importantly they need to know that the symptoms of heart attack are different from men. Men often experience chest discomfort while women have other, more subtle symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, jaw pain or abdominal discomfort. Apart from eating right and... »
Omega-3 (DHA) improves non-verbal reasoning and memory
Nutra Ingredients USA reports on a study that indicates omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve memory in the middle aged. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, found that increased blood levels of DHA were associated with improved nonverbal reasoning and working memory in people between 35 and 54, but intakes of other omega-3 fatty acids ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic... »
White tea fights fat
Researchers led by Marc Winnefeld at Beiersdorf AG in Germany revealed that an extract of white tea helped prevent the formation of mature adipose (fat) cells in culture, as well as reduced the fat content of these cells, both of which could help reduce body fat. White tea consists of the buds and first leaves of Camilla sinensis, the same plant... »
Was HRT a stroke risk or not?
Forbes Health News reports that after the drop in HRT usage post 2002, while there may have been a drop in breast cancer and heart attack in women, we have not seen the same expected drop in the incidence of stroke. A study by researchers at Rand Corporate to be released in the May issue of Medial Care reports that there has... »
Menopause is predictable
You have a 100% chance that it will happen and doctors will tell you that the best guide for working out when is to ask your mother when it happened to her. However a new test developed by the University of Michigan can now reveal if you are within 5 years of the big M. Or does it? The test measures levels of... »
Cervical Screening … have you had a pap smear lately?
We all need them and pretty much all hate the process to get one and often put them off. But what is the current recommendations for a Pap Smear test? It actually appears to vary by country and in the case of Canada by Province. United Kindgom Age group (years) 25: First invitation 25 - 49: 3 yearly 50 - 64: 5 yearly 65+: Only screen those who have... »