November is National Family Caregivers Month! Caregiving provides much needed services to older adults and people with disabilities. In the United States, over 53 million people provide such services. Though a rewarding experience, caregiving has its challenges. The number of men in the field is growing, but the caregiving task still falls disproportionately to women, […]
Ever feel like you’re sleepwalking through life? You’re not alone! It’s time for America to wake up to the reality that there’s a sleep crisis happening. But sleep doesn’t have to be a rare commodity. A medicinal herb called ashwagandha can help you get the sleep you need. According to the CDC, 35% of U.S.
Stressed out, anxious, can’t sleep? There is a powerful amino acid that may help. L- Theanine, an amino acid found almost exclusively in green and black tea, provides a variety of health benefits primarily by acting on the nervous system. Among its benefits, l-theanine is neuroprotective; improves cognitive function; has antistress, antianxiety, and antidepressant effects;
Although premenopause is often used to refer to this time of transition, the proper medical term is perimenopause. Premenopause is the period of time during which women are in their reproductive years, and will continue to have their menstrual cycle. Perimenopause is characterized by hormonal shifts and physiological changes and as any woman who has
Once again we find ourselves in a nationwide debate about women’s reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. We know that inherent to our well-being is the ability to make informed decisions about our healthcare. And not only is our physical health at stake but taking away our right to choose when or if we will have
As women, our bodies go through quite a few changes from puberty to menopause. The main culprits? Our hormones. And while many of the symptoms we undergo from shifting hormones are physical, from hot flashes to disrupted periods, others are mental or emotional. This is because our brains and our hormones are intricately linked, and
Being sad is a normal emotion to feel on occasion. When that feeling does not go away and is accompanied by other symptoms like a general disconnect, loss of interest, fatigue, and disruption in sexual function, depression may be the culprit. Depression is a common mental health disorder, and data from the National Health and
During perimenopause – or the transition period around menopause – our reproductive hormones start to decline, leaving some of us feeling out of sorts. This mid-life drop in hormones can cause a host of potential symptoms – from the more common hot flash or vaginal dryness to the less well-known joint pain or brain fog.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, but we understand that not everything about the holiday season will be jolly. Let’s be real. The holiday season can be stressful. Sixty-two percent of adults have a hard time feeling jolly as the result of the elevated stress they feel during the holiday season. Holiday shopping, decorating, cooking, and
Sex is natural. Sex is normal. Sex is healthy. Sex is fun! Whether we’re enjoying solo fun or with a partner, sex makes us feel good physically and mentally. Research shows that sex triggers the release of hormones and chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin which help promote happiness, satisfaction, and overall well-being. So, you want to
As mothers, we often commit to caring and looking out for the loved ones our lives, often putting our own health on the back burner. This May, let’s remember that, we cannot wholly show up for others if we neglect our health and personal happiness! As women approach perimenopause and menopause, their bodies go through
The birth control pill is the preferred method of contraception for many women who want to enjoy sexual activity without the looming anxiety of unplanned pregnancy. According to the CDC, 12.6% of women in the US that use contraceptive methods use an oral contraceptive pill. Although the ability to regulate fertility is a godsend for