When it comes to diabetes in women, hormones play a starring role—sometimes quietly influencing blood sugar levels behind the scenes, and other times making their presence loud and clear. For women in their 40s and beyond, understanding how hormonal changes—from reproductive years through menopause—affect diabetes risk and management can be empowering. Whether you’re living with […]
A migraine is a common neurologic disorder that is more than just “a really bad headache.” It’s a specific and complex type of headache that typically presents with throbbing pain on one side of the head. The pain level can range from moderate to debilitating. Migraines tend to develop in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood,
People often assume scoliosis peaks during adolescence. And while that’s true for many, scoliosis and menopause are not wide apart from each other. Estrogen modulates many of a woman’s bodily functions. So, when it begins to decline during perimenopause, the drop in this critical hormone can affect your bone health and structure. Caring for yourself
One look at a graph depicting women’s hormones during menstruation and perimenopause confirms we do ride a hormonal roller coaster. From puberty to menopause, women experience fluctuating hormones every month and varying physical and mental side effects of said roller coaster. Brain fog and insomnia, anyone? But what hormones are responsible for these twists and
The 20’s and 30’s are peak reproductive years for women and taking care of your reproductive health during these years is important. Reproductive health is often a reflection of overall health, and conversely, problems with reproductive health can lead to potentially serious general health complications. Following are some guidelines for ensuring robust sexual health and
For women with thyroid imbalance, the struggle is real. And it can also be really difficult to pin down. Here we provide a menopausal woman’s user’s guide to achieving and maintaining healthy thyroid function. A delicate balance The relationship between thyroid function and reproductive function is intricate, though not always obvious. Thyroid hormones regulate reproductive
Out of all people with an autoimmune disease, an astounding 85% are women. Such a high percentage begs the question: What about women’s bodies makes us more susceptible to developing autoimmune diseases? Though scientists continue to investigate the root causes of autoimmunity, many have come to the conclusion that our hormones, specifically estrogen, play a critical role.
Picture this: you are out with your friends shopping from store to store when suddenly you feel your face become red and you feel like you’re on fire. VMS (vasomotor symptoms of menopause) explains the sudden heat wave you feel all over your body. What is VMS (vasomotor symptoms of menopause)? VMS (vasomotor symptoms of
Diagnoses of type 2 diabetes are on the rise in the U.S. And, like many other conditions, diabetes can impact a woman’s health in disproportionate ways. Insufficient insulin or an inability to use the insulin your pancreas produces affects your whole body, from your energy levels and digestive system to your reproductive health. This American
Our bodies undergo considerable changes during pregnancy. As our hormones rise and fall, however, it can be a challenge to identify what’s a normal experience and what might warrant a call to your OB-GYN. Vaginal dryness is one such uncomfortable experience that can develop during pregnancy and postpartum. Why does it happen and what are
Night sweats are always uncomfortable, often unpredictable, and an invariably frustrating symptom of menopause that 50 to 75% of women suffer with. Currently, medical science doesn’t know the precise cause of these vexing vasomotor episodes. However, new theories connecting night sweats (and hot flushes) with certain chronic health conditions may hold clues as to why
Vaginal discharge is something every woman experiences over the course of her life. But depending on our age, where we’re at in our menstrual cycle, and whether we’re pre or post-menopausal, the vaginal discharge we produce can change. Sometimes these changes go beyond the bounds of what’s considered normal discharge and can be cause for