by Wendy on November 26, 2007
I’m back from a Thanksgiving vacation and 5-days of saliva testing, which I shipped to the lab today. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, I am working with Shaila Schwartz, a Naturopathic doctor at the Noe Clinic here in San Francisco. Once she sees what’s going on with my hormones and melantonin levels, she’ll prescribe a natural, plant-based approach to help alleviate my hot flashes and insomnia, my two biggest complaints these days.
My goal in working with a naturopath goes beyond alleviating menopausal symptoms, though. I want to feel great and age well. I can always fix wrinkles and I can diet. But if I have aches & pains, no energy and weak muscles, I won’t be a happy camper when I’m older. So, while all women go through menopause how we handle it can influence the quality of health for years to come. That’s why I don’t want to take synthetic hormones or sleeping pills every night and it’s why I’m counting calories, exercising and lifting weights several times a week. I sure hope it makes a difference!
by Wendy on November 16, 2007
The Mayo Clinic website offers a 10-question, true/false quiz about menopause. After you submit your answers, you’re provided with explanations for each response. With all the reading I’ve done on the topic and consultations with doctors, I still got one wrong. There’s lots of good information here and worth a read.
by Wendy on November 14, 2007
My younger sister, who has yet to hit menopause, but clearly approaching this time of her life, told me that she recently left the keys in the car…and the motor running…for two hours while she shopped. “Is this menopause?” she asked. [click to continue…]
by Wendy on November 12, 2007
Sex, Lies, and Menopause: The Shocking Truth About Synthetic Hormones and the Benefits of Natural Alternatives, is the full title of this book by T.S.Wiley, first published in 2003. A friend of mine suggested it to me. She knew I was nearing the point of throwing in the towel and taking hormones to relieve my menopausal symptoms. There seem to be an equal number of women who are either highly critical of the book, or who claimed it changed their lives for the better. (Take a look at reader reviews on Amazon). In any case, it’s good learning and I believe Sex, Lies & Menopause should be on every woman’s reading list – particularly those in their 20s who still have their reproductive years and lots of choices ahead of them. [click to continue…]
by Wendy on November 6, 2007
There are 43 million women of menopausal age (45-54) in this country alone and if my conversations with friends on both coasts are any indication, the collective hot flashes of this demographic group must be contributing to global warming. Now that I’m one of them, I’m noticing other “members” of this tribe wherever I go. [click to continue…]
