Award-Winning Where Did My Wife Go? Helps Men Save Their Marriages and Relationships In Spite Of Menopause, Mid-Life Crises and Empty Nest Syndrome.

Author Jim Vigue’s mailbox is regularly stuffed with thank-you messages from both men and women because his new book is helping marriages across the nation by offering practical ways to navigate the choppy waters of women’s midlife transitions.

Where Did My Wife Go? Understanding & Surviving Menopause, Mid-Life Crises & the Empty Nest Syndrome

Vigue was recently named a medal winner of an IPPY Award from the Independent Publisher Book Awards for exhibiting the courage, innovation, and creativity to bring about change. A total of 4,090 entries were submitted throughout the United States, Canada and 12 English-speaking countries overseas. The Awards Committee cited Vigue’s book as a superb example of someone’s tackling an important subject that most authors would avoid.

“This award is very well deserved as this book is a remarkably sensitive explanation of this incredibly complex, but common and emotionally dangerous, life transition that menopause and midlife crises represent,” said Lars Boman, MD, Diplomat of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

Author Named Finalist Along With Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield For Book Award

Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Canada) named Jim Vigue a finalist along with 150-million-plus booksellers and mega-authors Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield. (Chicken Soup for the Soul Series)
   
“It is gratifying that my book is being mentioned in the same breath as Chicken Soup for the Soul,” said Vigue. “We are getting great testimonials from readers who have been helped by the book but this industry recognition is also very encouraging.”
Vigue has a Master’s Degree in leadership from Duquesne University and an MBA from the University of Dallas. He is CEO of the Hamilton Foundation, a 20-year-old 501C3 nonprofit organization. The foundation’s website is www.menonpause.org.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

AFTER six years on a prescription estrogen patch that alleviated her hot flashes, but did nothing to address her midlife 25-pound weight gain, Martha B. started searching for a natural alternative to treat her menopausal symptoms.

“When I couldn’t button my size 12 jeans, I just told myself ‘Enough’s enough,’ ” said the 57-year-old teacher who lives in Atlanta and requested that her full name not be used. She turned to an over-the-counter supplement called Estroven, with ingredients that include black cohosh and phytoestrogens — botanical compounds found in soy and other plants that have been shown to have estrogenlike effects in humans. Without changing her eating habits, Martha said she lost 20 pounds. But after four months off the patch, the hot flashes came back. Now, she said, she is wondering, “What do I do next?”

According to experts, about 70 percent of women experience hot flashes, weight gain, loss of libido and other symptoms as they transition from their fertile to postfertile years and their hormone levels fluctuate sharply. It’s a process that lasts an average of seven years.

Gynecologists estimate that a third of women seeking treatment for menopausal symptoms are on conventional prescription hormones. Another third are on prescription bio-identical therapy. (Bio-identical hormones are synthesized compounds that mimic the molecular structure of human hormones and are derived from plants.) The remaining third either tough it out, are not bothered by symptoms or are searching for over-the-counter therapies, including natural supplements and topical creams. They may try, for example, a supplement of phytoestrogens derived from soy and red clover, a low-dose progesterone cream, or swear by black cohosh capsules.

 In 2002, when the initial findings of a National Institutes of Health study — known as the Women’s Health Initiative project — suggested that women on conventional hormone therapy were at greater risk for heart disease, cancer, stroke and blood clotting, the market for alternative treatments soared.

There are now more than 500 products that purport to relieve symptoms associated with menopause, including capsules, tablets, teas, gels and creams. In the United States, the dietary supplement market associated with menopause has grown to $337 million in 2007 (the last year tabulated) from $211 million in 1999, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, a trade publication.

 “Ten years ago, it used to be that if you were a certain age, your doctor would hand you a prescription for hormone pills and that would be that,” said Karen Giblin, the director of Red Hot Mamas, an organization that offers educational programs and information on menopause. “Women were popping them like M&M’s. Now, so many women I speak with want to go natural. I call it ‘Happy Hour at the health food store.’ I see them there, say, at the Whole Foods, women of a certain age, poring over the labels of capsules and creams.” But some, like Rebecca Hulem, a nurse practitioner and menopause coach in Agoura Hills, Calif., said there is confusion about the products.

“Many of my patients come in with a bag of stuff they’ve been trying a few weeks here, a few months there, and tell me, ‘Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t,’ ” she said. “They’re relying on word-of-mouth and Internet research or they go by the marking on the label.” “Women have to be sophisticated consumers about their own health and whatever they’re taking, and ask themselves, ‘Is it safe? Is it effective?’ ” said Dr. Winnifred Cutler, author of “Hormones and Your Health: The Smart Woman’s Guide to Hormonal and Alternative Therapies for Menopause” (John Wiley & Sons, 2009).

“Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean it’s good for you.” But some experts contend it is not the products that are harmful, but how they are used. “I think over all these products are generally safe, but must be taken in the right circumstances and in conjunction with a mindfully healthy approach to life if they are going to be effective at all,” said Dr. Theresa Ramsey, director of the Center for Natural Healing in Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Still, some studies have questioned the efficacy of progesterone creams, and whether they can even be adequately absorbed through the skin. Other experts have suggested that even small amounts of progesterone can accumulate in fat cells and disrupt the production and synthesis of other hormones. Some studies suggest that the use of soy supplements may lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and other hormone-related cancers in some women.

 “There is a lot of confusion,” said Dee Adams, who runs minniepauz.com, a Web site devoted to menopause. “A lot of women went cold turkey after the Women’s Health Initiative results came out. They stopped trusting their doctors. They stopped trusting the pharmaceutical companies. Many see these natural treatments as a way of taking back control of their bodies. The problem is, we have no idea of what’s in them.” Dr. Tod Cooperman, director of consumerLab.com, a private health, wellness and nutrition product-testing lab, said last year his company studied more than a dozen menopause products. Five failed to gain the lab’s approval, including two products that contained less soy and red clover than their labels indicated, and a black cohosh product in which traces of lead were found.

 “Whether or not a product actually contains an ingredient and how much of it, we can’t say,” said Dr. Norman Farnsworth, the principal investigator of a 12-month study of black cohosh and red clover, a collaboration between the Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research of the University of Illinois at Chicago and at Northwestern University. The study was paid for by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Office of Dietary Supplements. Results are due in the fall, and the study’s researchers are hoping it will help determine the efficacy of the ingredients associated with menopause symptom relief. But, the fact remains that even if black cohosh, for example, is found to deliver on its promise to reduce hot flashes, women may still find themselves confused when they are about to reach for something off the shelf. “There could be a lot of sawdust in there,” Dr. Farnsworth said.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

“The risk of serious adverse events while taking these products must be weighed against the significant health benefits of quitting smoking,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director, the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States and we know these products are effective aids in helping people quit.”

Similar information on mental health events will be required for bupropion marketed as the antidepressant Wellbutrin and for generic versions of bupropion. These drugs already carry a Boxed Warning for suicidal behavior in treating psychiatric disorders.

Woodcock said health care professionals who prescribe Chantix and Zyban should monitor their patients for any unusual changes in mood or behavior after starting these drugs. She added that patients should immediately contact their health care professional if they experience such changes.

The FDA’s request for the additional warnings is based on a review of reports submitted to the agency’s Adverse Event Reporting System since the time the products were marketed and on an analysis of information from clinical trials and scientific literature.

The analyses revealed that some who have taken Chantix and Zyban have reported experiencing unusual changes in behavior, become depressed, or had their depression worsen, and had thoughts of suicide or dying. In many cases, the problems began shortly after starting the medication and ended when the medication was stopped. However, some people continued to have symptoms after stopping the medication. Also, in a few cases, the problems began after the medication was stopped.

Neither Chantix nor Zyban contain nicotine and some of these symptoms may be a response to nicotine withdrawal. People who stop smoking may experience symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbances. However, some patients who were using these products experienced the reported adverse events while they were still smoking.

In addition to the Boxed Warning, the FDA also is requesting more information in the Warnings section of the prescribing information and updated information in the Medication Guide for patients that further discuss the risk of mental health events when using these products.

Manufacturers also will be required to conduct a clinical trial to determine how often serious neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in patients using various smoking cessation therapies, including patients who currently have psychiatric disorders. The FDA’s review of adverse events for patients using nicotine patches did not identify a clear link between those medications and suicidal events.

Chantix is manufactured by New York-based Pfizer Inc. Zyban is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, Middlesex, United Kingdom.

Source
U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

A lesser known symptom of menopause, caused by the extreme decline in estrogen, is the increased risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The bladder becomes less elastic, triggering an inability to fully empty, therefore creating a breeding ground for bacteria to multiply.

Additionally, the lack of estrogen makes the bladder lining and vaginal tissues more prone to bacterial adherence since there is less protection.

These situations set the stage for developing UTIs. According to Larrian Gillespie, retired urologist and author of the popular book, You Don’t Have to Live with Cystitis (HarperCollins), there are ways to control or prevent the recurrence of UTIs associated with menopause:

Stay Hydrated: It is imperative to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water which promotes regular urination. This flushes out bacteria from the urinary tract.

Watch your back: Lower back stress that affects the lower muscles of the back can interfere with the flow of urine, which can lead to abnormal voiding (urination) and UTIs. When exercising, try to maintain good form while lifting weights or on exercise machines to avoid back injury. If you suspect a back problem may be contributing to your UTIs, ask your doctor to give you a “uroflow” exam to assess whether or not you are voiding efficiently.

Strengthen your core:  Often, a lazy bladder (unable to empty urine properly) occurs due to lower back problem, so consider doing exercises to help strengthen your back and stomach muscles. Ask your physician or fitness trainer about which exercises are beneficial to your abs and back.

Respond to “nature’s call:  It’s always a good idea to urinate as soon as you feel the need in order to eliminate unwanted bacteria. While “holding it in” does not directly cause an infection, it can cause overdistension that can damage the lining of the bladder, making it more vulnerable to bacteria and over time, it may not contract or relax at will.

Take a vitamin C supplement: Take about 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C throughout the day to help inhibit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine.

Lubricate: As estrogen declines, vaginal dryness increases. Make sure to be properly lubricated during sexual activity (use a water-based vaginal lubricant) to decrease friction in the vagina/urethral areas.

Take an antibacterial: If you are menopausal and prone to UTIs, Gillespie recommends taking Cystex® as a preventative, as it is the only OTC urinary tract medication that contains methenamine, an antibacterial agent that attacks bacteria and helps prevent it from adhering to the cell wall lining of the bladder.

Cystex® can be taken before activities or situations that you believe have contributed to urinary tract infections, such as sexual intercourse. If you do develop a UTI, taking Cystex® until you can see the doctor will help keep the infection from progressing and also help with the pain.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

Research published in the May 26 issue of Neurology finds that women do not learn as well during early and late perimenopause, when periods are irregular but have not disappeared altogether.

But the changes were subtle, manifesting as less improvement rather than actual decline, the authors stated. Most importantly, the deficits, if they can be called that, were temporary: A woman’s learning capacity bounces back once postmenopause has begun.

“The good news is that when women are finished with the menopause transition and in steady postmenopause, cognitive performance, memory, learning, all that comes back to premenopause levels,” said Dr. Arun S. Karlamangla, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and the study’s senior author.

“This adds to several other studies that suggest that there are parts of the menopause transition where there are effects on memory and cognitive abilities,” said Dr. Victor Henderson, a professor of health research and policy and of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, and past president of the North American Menopause Society.

“For women starting the menopause transition or just finishing it, there are no big changes in memory,” Henderson said. “There may be some problems in the middle of the transition, but before and after, women are about the same.”

Almost two-thirds of women say they have memory problems during this time in their lives, according to the researchers.

Given that estrogen has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain function, researchers have hypothesized that the decline in estrogen level that occurs after menopause or the fluctuations in hormone levels that occur during perimenopause might compromise memory and other brain functions.

The UCLA researchers looked at processing speed, verbal memory and working memory (how quickly information is processed) in 2,362 women who were 45 to 57 years old when first tested. They were followed for more than four years.

Assessments were conducted during four stages of the transition: premenopause (menstrual periods remained regular); early perimenopausal (some irregularity but no long gaps); late perimenopause (missing a period for three to 11 months); postmenopausal (having no period for a year).

“Women started off premenopausal and went into menopause so we measured cognitive performance at different parts of the menopause transition,” Karlamangla explained. “Much to our surprise, cognitive functioning did not actually decline in any group.”

In fact, it improved in all groups, as is often seen after repeated testing, Karlamangla said.

But women in late perimenopause showed less improvement in processing speed than women in the other three phases.

“Learning was not as good in the late perimenopausal stage as in the early perimenopausal phase,” Karlamangla said.

And both early and late perimenopausal women showed fewer gains in verbal memory than their counterparts in either premenopause or postmenopause.

Starting hormone therapy (estrogen or progesterone) before the last period seemed to help cognitive function, whereas starting after the last period was linked to smaller improvements in test scores than achieved by women who did not take hormones, the study found.

The researchers are still studying whether menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes play any role in memory and learning fluctuations during this transition.

“For older women, meaning after 60 or 65 years, it’s pretty clear from several studies that starting hormone therapy isn’t going to help memory and isn’t going to help prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s,” Henderson said. “In fact, it seems to increase the risk of dementia when started after this age.”

And the message regarding appropriate use of hormone therapy remains the same: Take it only for bothersome symptoms of menopause, for the shortest time possible and at the lowest dose possible.

“There is some suggestion that early use of hormone therapy might be helpful, but it’s just a hint,” he continued. “This, like most research, is incremental and doesn’t change clinical practice.”

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more on menopause.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

Are you eating brown rice and steak for breakfast in the hopes of cooling off hot flashes? Chances are that your mind is working harder than these food choices to curb the sweats. Many women seek alternatives to hormone-replacement therapy to manage their menopausal symptoms. Claims about the benefits of various foods abound, but they’re not always supported by sound science. Your best bet for managing symptoms through nutrition is to know what your needs are as your body changes and what remedies actually work.

You may feel that your metabolism is rising at the rate of a lead balloon. As your hormonal levels change, your rate of metabolism slows. Add to that, with menopause your risk of heart disease and bone loss increase. Exercising more can help your bone and heart health as well as rev up your metabolism. And as far as those hot flashes go, exercise is believed to block the mechanisms that elicit them. Additionally, a 2003 study examined sleep quality among menopausal women not taking hormonal therapy. It found women who stretched, exercised and maintained a regular fitness routine slept better.

As you wring out the next gallon of sweat from your beach towel, try to remember that menopause has its advantages. For example, your need for iron drops by about half since you will no longer lose iron from menstrual blood flow. However, your need for calcium and vitamins D and B12 goes up as your estrogen level heads down. Decreases in estrogen cause you to lose bone density faster. This means that most women will need to consume more calcium-rich foods, such as low-fat yogurt, milk and cheese, as well as canned fish with bones. Foods like soy milk, tofu, broccoli, kale, calcium-fortified juices and bok choy are also good sources. Keep in mind, though, your body doesn’t get as much of the calcium from these sources as it does from dairy products.

So, instead of that steak for breakfast, try yogurt or a fiber-rich cereal with soy or dairy milk. Isoflavones found in soy products like soy milk, tofu and textured soy protein have been shown to be safe and effective in decreasing menopausal symptoms in the short term—for two years or less. A few studies have shown, too, that the extract of the plant black cohosh may relieve hot flashes and night sweats in the very short term—for six months or less. Products such as the herb Dong Quai and wild, Mexican yam have not been proved to be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. In fact, Dong Quai is a potential toxin and may increase the risk of skin cancer related to sun exposure. If you are considering using any dietary supplements, consult your primary health care provider and pharmacist.

Experiencing your own private summers is a natural part of aging for women. Menopause is not “cured” with a steak or an herb. If you are like the majority of women, you will experience sweats and other uncomfortable symptoms for a while. But now you know practical steps you can take to make this transition a little more comfortable: Exercise more and eat wholesome foods. Both provide great protection for your health while helping to cool the flame of the aging process.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

When it comes to food, the wrong habits can be disastrous. Here’s how to help yourself eat better and have more energy.

Bad habit: Skipping meals

Letting yourself get too hungry is one of the worst things you can do if you’re trying to lose weight. When you finally do eat, you’re likely to gobble down too much. It’s also much harder to make good choices if you’re ravenous.

Fix it: Eat breakfast and then refuel every four to five hours. If you rarely stop once your day begins, plan what you’ll eat. Consider easy options like microwaveable healthy meals, low-fat cottage cheese and fruit, or a high-fiber nutrition bar and a container of nonfat Greek yogurt. The healthy carbs and lean protein will provide long-lasting energy.

Bad habit: Eating out all the time

Restaurants are a caloric minefield. Portion sizes can be huge, and chefs often have a heavy hand with salt, fat, and sugar.

Fix it: If you can’t cook at home, limit the damage. Avoid alcohol, which contains empty calories and loosens inhibitions, making it tougher to order wisely. Stick with water or have a glass of wine or a light beer if you really want a drink. Tell the waiter not to bring the bread basket, and order a salad instead. This will help curb your appetite. Ask for olive oil and vinegar on the side and go light on the oil. Next, pick a lean protein entrée, such as fish or chicken, and choose preparation methods that use little fat, such as poaching, grilling, or broiling.

Bad habit: Using food as comfort

Most people who struggle with their weight use food to help them deal with negative emotions or stress. When the food is all gone, the problem is still there, and it’s been compounded by guilt over having eaten too much.

Fix it: Try labeling your feelings (”I’m sad, not hungry”), and remind yourself that eating won’t solve things. Visualize how you’ll feel after eating, and ask yourself if it’s worth it. Then choose an alternative activity, such as calling a friend, taking a walk, or reading. Over time, these activities, not food, will be the first things you think of when you need a pick-me-up.

Bad habit: Eating when you’re not hungry

Snacking even though you are full makes the pounds add up.

Fix it: The next time you’re about to pop something into your mouth, assess your hunger level. If you’re not truly hungry, don’t eat. If you’re a little peckish, allow yourself to get a bit hungrier. When you do sit down to eat, adhere to the Japanese saying hara hachi bu, which means “eat until you are 80 percent full.” Chances are that in 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll be perfectly satisfied.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

The average doctor’s visit lasts less than 15 minutes. And between the time wasted on nervous chatter and trying to tie the paper gown, you’re looking at just 10 minutes (or less) of poking, prodding, and question-answering. So you don’t want to waste precious moments on a doc who’s second-rate. But how to find the right one? Start with our list of the best M.D.s in the country … in the specialties most crucial to you.

Ready to make your appointment?

Women’s Health has teamed up with the research firm Castle Connolly to create an exhaustive list of America’s best docs for women. You can find more information about every physician listed at womenshealthmag.com/topdocs. And for a limited time, get free access on our site to Castle Connolly’s complete physician database of more than 22,000 primary-care doctors and specialists across the U.S.

Cardiology and internal medicine

There are only two risk factors for heart disease (your age and family history) that you can’t do anything about—yet it’s the number-one killer of American women. “A healthy lifestyle goes a long way, but most Americans live on fast food and the most exerting thing they do all day is push a computer key,” says Barbara H. Roberts, M.D., director of the Women’s Cardiac Center at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. The first step toward preventing the disease, she says, is convincing patients to alter their daily activities (for instance, exercising for just half an hour, five days a week, cuts your risk by 30 percent). That’s where the internists and cardiologists listed to the right—selected for their focus on risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity—step in.

Crunch your numbers. “If you’re not getting a physical every year, ask your ob-gyn to check blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol at your annual appointment,” Roberts says. “These are problems that often go undetected in young adults, and by the time you’ve figured out that your numbers are high, you could already have caused severe damage.”

Clear the air. “Get real about smoking,” says Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., director of the Women’s Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic. “It’s the most powerful risk factor for heart disease, but many young women will say, ‘I’m not a smoker. I only have one or two cigarettes when I go out with my friends.’ They don’t realize that every cigarette counts.” In fact, your risk for having a heart attack drops just 24 hours after quitting.

Dermatology

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women in their late twenties. But if it’s treated early, the cure rate tops 90 percent. “New imaging tools allow us to spot cancer in earlier stages,” says Lynn Cornelius, M.D., chief of dermatology at Washington University. “There are even a few vaccines in clinical trials.”

Pick a better blocker. “I use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVA [longer, more penetrating rays] and UVB [shorter, more burning rays],” Cornelius says. Look for ingredients like mexoryl and helioplex, which stabilize the UVA-absorbing ingredients so they don’t degrade as quickly.

Ban the bed. “Tanning salons are bad news,” says Susan Swetter, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Stanford University. “Studies show that up to 35 percent of adolescent girls use indoor tanning regularly, despite a 75 percent increased lifetime melanoma risk for anyone who has used a tanning bed before age 35.”

Obstetrics & gynecology

Pap smears and pregnancy tests—that’s what comes to most people’s minds when they think of their ob-gyn. But now doctors must be prepared to advise patients on everything from the HPV vaccine to designer vaginoplasties (hint: they’re not recommended). “We’ve seen many developments in the last decade,” says Laura Riley, M.D., medical director of labor and delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Yet our biggest challenge is still making people aware of basic issues like premature delivery, which occurs in more than 12 percent of pregnancies in this country.”

Get painless results. “To make your Pap smear more comfortable, pop a Tylenol 30 minutes before you come in, and try not to schedule your appointment during the week of your period, when you tend to be more sensitive,” Riley says. “If you’re coming in because of symptoms like itching or burning, stop using OTC meds the day before your visit. Topical creams make it tough to get a proper diagnosis.”

Take your best shot. “If you’re under 26, get the HPV vaccine,” Riley says. “Along with significantly lowering the risk for cervical cancer, it can reduce the risk for dysplasia [abnormal cervical cells that can later turn into cancer].”

Endocrinology

In 1980, at-home blood-sugar monitors were the biggest thing in diabetes care since insulin. The monitors have gotten fancier since then, but the number of people with the disease has also gotten a whole lot bigger. With 33 percent of the population tipping the obesity scales and the diabetes rate edging toward 10 percent, endocrinologists in the U.S. are facing a crisis. “Fortunately, diabetes is a manageable condition,” says Irl Hirsch, M.D., professor of medicine in the division of metabolism, endocrinology, and nutrition at the University of Washington School of Medicine. “But unless you make controlling your blood sugar a priority, you’re looking at some devastating complications down the road, including nerve damage or blindness.”

Keep an inside track. “Diabetes is a disease of the details,” Hirsch says. “Along with your glucose meter, bring to your checkups a three-day written log of what you’ve eaten, what your blood sugar readouts have been, and the insulin doses you’ve taken. We can use that to figure out whether you’re managing the disease effectively.”

Make your own odds. “If you develop high blood sugar during pregnancy, don’t assume that you’ll be out of the woods after you deliver,” says Ellen Seely, M.D., director of clinical research in the endocrinology, diabetes and hypertension division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Research shows that women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes have a 50 percent risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next five years. But you can make lifestyle changes that can prevent the disease.”

Gastroenterology

Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition marked by abdominal pain, cramping, bloating and digestive distress, affects one in five adults. Yet not long ago it was considered to be a disorder of the mind, not the gut. Docs used to chalk up symptoms to stress alone, but later studies showed that many other factors are at play. “We’ve learned that it is a real disease and we now recognize triggers that can exacerbate it in addition to stress, including foods like red meat, coffee, and artificial sweeteners,” says Marie Borum, M.D., M.P.H., director of the division of gastroenterology and liver diseases at the George Washington University. “This discovery has allowed patients to live more normal lives.”

Follow your gut. “People tend to be shy about GI problems,” says Kevin Olden, M.D., director of the division of gastroenterology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “Keeping notes can help. Log symptoms—the severity of pain, the number of bowel movements, the form of your stool—for two weeks, and bring it with you.”

Learn to love the rough stuff. “Eat plenty of fiber. You need 25 to 30 grams a day to keep your digestive system running smoothly, and it’s better to get it from food than from supplements,” Olden says. “I eat two bowls of bran cereal daily, whole-grain bread with meals, and fruit for dessert.”

Oncology

Current genetic research is as tightly intertwined with cancer care as two strands of DNA. From the identification of risk factors like the BRCA mutations (known as the breast cancer genes) to genetic tests to determine how patients will respond to treatments, DNA discoveries have revolutionized cancer care. And though a cure may still exist only in oncologists’ dreams, “the field is moving rapidly,” says Barbara Goff, M.D., director of gynecologic oncology at the University of Washington Medical Center. “I’m treating patients with drugs I didn’t even know existed a few years ago.”

Put your genes to the test. “Know your family history,” Goff says. “The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation has a free online risk assessment tool that can help women identify whether they’re at risk for the gene mutations associated with cancer.”

Take the lead. Ask about clinical trials, says Edith Perez, M.D., professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Young adults have the lowest participation rate of any age group, yet “it’s where cutting-edge treatments are born,” she says.

Neurology

When Joel Saper, M.D., began his career 35 years ago, experts argued that women suffered from migraines more often than men as a result of their “anxious natures.” Saper rejected that idea, and new research linking women’s higher headache rates to estrogen receptors in the brain backs him up. “These days, nearly everyone can find relief thanks to new therapies like neurostimulation, which may ‘turn off’ headaches by using electrical pulses to block the sensation of pain in the brain,” says Saper, director of the head pain treatment unit at Chelsea Community Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Lose the flab, stop the stab. “Eating a healthy diet and losing excess weight can actually help reduce the frequency of migraines,” Saper says. “Evidence shows that the heavier a woman is, the more estrogen her body produces and the more headaches she tends to have.”

Avoid pill pitfalls. “Many pain medications, if used too often, cause a rebound effect that leads to even more headaches,” says David Buchholz, M.D., associate professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University. Instead, he suggests taking a preventive approach, which includes eight hours or more of sleep each night and regular exercise. Also keep in mind: Other types of drugs—including birth control and antidepressants—often increase headaches, and may be best avoided.

Orthopedics/sports medicine

There was a big disparity between the resources available to male athletes and female athletes when Deborah Saint-Phard was growing up. “Twenty years ago, if you weren’t a football player, your injuries weren’t taken seriously,” says the associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. “Girls today are even more demanding of their bodies, but we’ve finally started catching up on how gender differences affect the risk for sports injuries. Now there are programs and clinics to meet women’s special needs.” Researchers are even starting to develop women-specific training programs (Saint-Phard’s pick is called Sportsmetrics) to protect female athletes against injuries.

Steel yourself. “There’s a misperception that strength training isn’t necessary as long as you’re doing aerobic exercise,” Saint-Phard says. “Runners think, ‘I run, so I don’t need to weight train my lower body.’ But overuse injuries occur most commonly when there’s weakness in the hips and butt—where all the bones in your legs are aligned.”

Don’t push through fatigue, says Jo Hannafin, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center in New York City. “People say, ‘I just wanted to do one more run on the ski slopes.’ But when you’re tired, you lose your sense of your body’s position in space, and that’s when you become more likely to get hurt.”

Psychiatry

Not so long ago, experts saw the brain as your body’s equivalent of a David Lynch movie: mysterious and tough to interpret. But with new imaging tools, like the functional MRI, which allows docs to see brain activity in real time, psychiatrists are starting to better understand how the brain works—and how it can become impaired. “Yet despite recent insights, the biggest challenge continues to be the stigma associated with mental illness and the reluctance of patients to seek help,” says Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, M.D., chief of psychiatry services at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Only half of those with a mental disorder receive any form of treatment, and those who do often get only minimal care.”

Don’t settle for good enough. “Unfortunately, we can’t yet match a patient to the best treatment on the first try,” Rosenbaum says. “I work with each patient as a team, and I rely on them to keep me informed of how their remedies are working. Don’t hesitate to let your doctor know if a drug isn’t meeting your expectations or if you can’t handle the side effects—eventually, we’ll find the combination that’s right for you.”

Find calm in chaos. “In many ways, the human brain wasn’t designed for the sensory overload of modern times, and the amount of stress generated by our fast-paced lives can be unhealthy,” says Diana L. Dell, M.D., assistant professor in the departments of psychiatry and of obstetrics and of gynecology at the Duke University Medical Center. “When stress or anxiety starts to overwhelm, give your brain a break. Meditation, exercise, or even mind-numbing chores like folding laundry or organizing your junk drawer can help calm anxieties and return a sense of control.”

Reproductive medicine & infertility

Unlike nature’s proverbial bunnies, “humans are surprisingly inefficient at reproduction,” says David Walmer, M.D., Ph.D., chief of reproductive endocrinology at the Duke University Medical Center. “It’s a delicate operation, and each cycle there are so many things that can go wrong.” And despite innovations like in vitro fertilization, there’s still a big gray area when it comes to fertility. “If a man has no sperm or a woman has blocked tubes, that’s an obvious problem. But many infertility cases are caused by a confluence of factors, and that can make a diagnosis difficult.”

Do it for the kids. “Three words: Don’t delay childbearing. The right age to have kids is the earliest age that you’re in the right relationship,” Walmer says. “We could get rid of probably 80 percent of the infertility clinics in the U.S. if couples decided to have children at a younger age.”

Aim for a healthy weight. “It can keep your reproductive system running smoothly,” says Sandra Carson, M.D., professor of ob-gyn at Brown University. “Excess fat lowers insulin sensitivity; this is associated with higher levels of androgens [male hormones], which can stop ovulation.”

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

“This study establishes progesterone as a likely part of the neuroendocrine basis of social bonding in humans,” said U-M researcher Stephanie Brown, lead author of an article reporting the study findings, published in the current (June 2009) issue of the peer-reviewed journal Hormones and Behavior.

A sex hormone that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle, progesterone is also present in low levels in post-menopausal women and in men. Earlier research has shown that higher levels of progesterone increase the desire to bond with others, but the current study is the first to show that bonding with others increases levels of progesterone. The study also links these increases to a greater willingness to help other people, even at our own expense.

“It’s important to find the links between biological mechanisms and human social behavior,” said Brown, is a faculty associate at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR) and an assistant professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School. She is also affiliated with the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital. “These links may help us understand why people in close relationships are happier, healthier, and live longer than those who are socially isolated.”

Progesterone is much easier to measure than oxytocin, a hormone linked to trust, pair-bonding and maternal responsiveness in humans and other mammals. Oxytocin can only be measured through an invasive spinal tap or through expensive and complex brain imaging methods, such as positron emission tomography scans. Progesterone can be measured through simple saliva samples and may be related to oxytocin.

In the current study, Brown and colleagues examined the link between interpersonal closeness and salivary progesterone in 160 female college students.

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause

Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.

Best for 100 Calories

100 calories each, $4.30/box of six

These creamy-on-the-inside sandwiches are the poster child for portion control: We could devour one without guilty urges to rip into a second or third.

Best Real Scoop

120 calories per half-cup, $5.60/1.5 quarts

“Research suggests that if you’re eating a single flavor, you’ll eat less,” says Dawn Jackson Blatner, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

Strawberry doesn’t beg for toppings the way vanilla does, and the real fruit in it contains fiber, so that full feeling won’t melt away with your last lick.

Best Fruit Bar

80 calories each, $2/box of four

Thanks to chunks of real fruit, these tropical pops scale back on fat, not on size or taste.

“The natural sugar will satisfy your sweet tooth, and you get 20 percent of your RDA of vitamin C,” Blatner says.

Best Mini

The Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches in vanilla and chocolate

140 calories each, $5/package of six

Deliciously soft (but not soggy) chocolate wafers complement a just-sweet-enough center to make this sandwich as substantial a snack as a PB&J but with about half the calories—and way more chocolaty indulgence.

Best Sorbet

110 calories per half-cup, $4.30/pint

On days so hot even ice cream isn’t enough to cool you down, there’s sorbet.

Testers raved over this one, which is made with real lemon juice. Comments ranged from “luscious” to “like a cold shower for my tongue.” And how’s this for a bonus: The refreshingly tart flavor kept us craving-free for hours.

Best Ice Cream Bar

Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Low-Fat Frozen Yogurt

Popular Posts:

• Why does dishing with a girlfriend do wonders for a woman’s mood?
• Eight amazing, guilt-free indulgences—and one mother of an ice-cream headache.
• Suzanne Somers Is Enjoying Wellness at 62
• Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
• Taming the Flame: Nutrition Approaches That Work for Menopause