April 2009

Dr. Brandith Irwin is a Seattle-Based dermatologist and the author of  The Surgery-Free Makeover: All You Need to Know for Great Skin and a Younger Face.  I recommend it to anyone who is concerned about skin changes that occur during the menopause transition.  Dr. Irwin’s book does a good job explaining the reason for these changes (dryness, wrinkles, etc.) and what, if anything you can do about them.

Of particular interest to me was her chapter on brown spots and age spots.  A cluster of them have formed a big dipper constellation on one of my hands and I asked her if there was anything I could do to make them vanish.  Since I know I’m not the only 50-something woman who has contemplated wearing gloves to keep my hands pretty (or is it too late?), I’ll share her advice here.  Dr. Irwin’s own website has lots of information that you’ll find helpful too. [click to continue...]

The connection between insomnia and weight gain, both common complaints of mid-life women, has been well established, but a new study by UCLA researchers has revealed why.

The culprits are two hormones; ghrelin, often referred to as the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates appetite and increases before meals; and leptin, which tells the body when it is hungry and when it is full.  Sleep loss apparently leads to increased ghrelin and decreased leptin -  a “double-whammy” that stimulates appetite.

By the way, a year ago I wrote about a Canadian research study that concluded that too much sleep can cause weight gain.  I guess you just have to figure out how much shut-eye is right for you.

There’s news this week about a new, hormone-free treatment for menopause-related hot flashes and night sweats.  It’s called Pristiq, and it was originally approved by the FDA last year as a remedy for depression.  The agency just gave the green light to Wyeth, the drugmaker, to also market it as a safe solution for women experiencing moderate to severe hot flashes.  Is this welcome news? I decided to “double-click” on this story to see if this falls under the category of “it’s too good to be true.” [click to continue...]

Ever since I read that people who keep a food diary tend to be more successful at weight loss, I began carrying around a small notebook noting my caloric intake along with estimates of fat and protein content.  But I recently discovered a number of online resources and tools that can make it easier to stick to a diet and fitness plan.  Here are some links to a few websites that I recommend: [click to continue...]

Jennifer Boire (aka Ms. Menopause) has written a wonderful poem on Weight Gain and Menopause on her blog.  She’s put into words what we all notice and think about as our bodies change with age, and she’s done it with humor and honesty. I love it!