We often hear about women struggling to deal with postpartum depression and unfortunately, more often than not, they are given an anti-depressant. We know now that that is more of a Band-Aid than a solution but what really does help? Click here for an article about postpartum depression and its relationship to hormones.

A study released today by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that the lack of sleep could lead to an increase in fat accumulating around vital organs, resulting in higher rates of metabolic diseases.

The results showed a connection between getting six or fewer hours of sleep and unhealthy visceral fat. The study also showed a connection in those who slept more than eight hours a night, though more slight.

“We put a lot of stock in diet,” said Dr. Kristen Hairston, an assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism and lead author on the study. “But this study brings up some interesting questions about the way we live.

“We may need to start looking at other behaviors — besides daily food choices — that could be contributing to the obesity epidemic in younger age groups.

• Bone pain or tenderness
• Fractures with little or no trauma
• Loss of height (as much as 6 inches) over time
• Low back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
• Neck pain due to fractures of the spinal bones
• Stooped posture or kyphosis, also called a “dowager’s hump”

For years, doctors have known that osteoporosis and menopause go hand-in-hand. In fact, women begin to experience bone loss rapidly in the years preceding menopause. At a certain point in the bone loss process, the bones become porous and enter the state of osteoporosis.

It is not uncommon for untreated cases of osteoporosis to result in a fracture – mainly because there is usually very little pain or symptoms. Most often, the fracture is located in the hip, spine or wrist. This makes osteoporosis a major public health threat, affecting 44 million Americans of which 68 percent are women.

Everyone, especially women, should be aware of the affects of bone loss and the potential for bone fracture. All women who are perimenopausal and experiencing menopause should be tested. Treatments are available that can essentially stop and reverse bone loss.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

• Female sex
• Caucasian
• Family history of osteoporosis
• Age over 65 years
• Early menopause (Includes surgical removal of ovaries before age 45)
• Malabsorption conditions (such Celiac or Crohn’s Disease)
• Endocrine disorders (such as Thyroid or Parathyroid Disease)
• Cancers (such as Myeloma or Lymphoma)

Factors Within Your Control

• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor diet
• Inadequate calcium or Vitamin D intake
• Sedentary lifestyle

It is also believed that PCOS is caused by an insulin imbalance, which controls the transformation of sugar and starches into energy. Many women with PCOS have higher than normal insulin levels which results in the increased production of androgen. Androgen is often referred to as a male hormone although it is present in females. Too much androgen in a woman’s body can result in hair growth, weight gain and problems with ovulation and infertility.

Unfortunately, there is no one test used to diagnose women with PCOS. Once you’ve been diagnosed, hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed to treat the condition based on your long-term goals. If fertility is an issue, your treatment would be different that someone who is no longer wanting to have children.

Lifestyle choices can also help your body adjust to its unique situation. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good day-to-day life choices will be key to dealing with the symptoms of and the emotional toll of PCOS experienced by so many women. Once a doctor has identified the condition, there are a number of treatment options available to help you reclaim your life and your body.

Menopause describes the time of no menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months where no other biological or physiological cause is identified. The cessation of menstruation occurs as result of the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Progesterone drops with anovulatory cycles and luteal function declines. Estrogen levels fluctuate in response to rising FSH levels. Adrenal androstenedione is the primary source of estrogen after menopause.

The symptoms of menopause include a change in the frequency and volume of blood flow of the periods or actual cessation of menstrual periods.  Irritability, hot flashes and night sweats, emotional mood swings, headaches, depression, insomnia, loss of sex drive and weight gain are also symptoms. Vaginal dryness and a weakening of the vaginal area tissues may also occur. More internal metabolic shifts, such as bone loss, may also occur. There are many lifestyle factors that influence the intensity of symptoms and probably even the time they appear such as a poor diet, emotional stress and lack of exercise.

Women are now living 30 to 40 years past menopause, and this time in their lives needs critical attention.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones that have same chemical structure as the ones that your body made before menopause. Customized natural hormone therapy is the only way to replace hormones safely. One size does not fit all. Now there is a more effective way. Studies have shown that women who use hormone replacement live longer than those who do not.

Five reason you should consider natural hormone replacement therapy include:

• Relief of symptoms
• Prevention of memory loss
• Bone production (prevention of osteoporosis)
• Growth and repair

Do you believe you might be suffering from symptoms of Menopause and would like some relief? If so, click here to take our free Menopause Assessment Quiz!

Click here to contact our staff to learn more about the BH2 programs that might be right for you.