Hot flashes bothering you? There’s a new pill for that. Starting as early as next month, there will be another option for the 85% of women dealing with the uncomfortable and unpredictable temperature changes that come with menopause. The first and only treatment was recently approved by the FDA — and it’s hormone-free. A new … Read more
A naturopathic doctor’s video explaining the viral phenomenon of the “second wind” and its effects on sleep hormones has gone viral, resonating with many night owls. In the clip, Dr Kara explains that going to bed between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. disrupts the natural balance of hormones – cortisol and melatonin – leading to … Read more
Aging well never gets old. We used to think of successful aging as simply avoiding disease — that concept has evolved over the years to a broader, more holistic view that includes physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. The problem is that it can be difficult to tell how well you’re aging without wearing a … Read more
Women who use Depo-Provera face a higher risk of developing a slow-growing brain tumor, according to a new study that comes as the contraceptive’s maker, Pfizer, faces hundreds of lawsuits claiming that it was aware of the potential risks. Depo-Provera — the brand name for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) — contains the synthetic progestin hormone, … Read more
Parkinson’s disease — which can cause tremors, slow movement and stiffness — is believed to affect 1 in every 336 Americans. The exact cause of the neurodegenerative disorder is not known, but it is believed to stem from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Now, three hospitals in Korea are reporting that patients with … Read more
Think twice before trusting everything you see on social media, especially when it comes to so-called health hacks. Dr. Jackie Walters, a seasoned OB/GYN and cast member of Bravo’s “Married to Medicine,” is urging people to turn to their doctor — not their feed — for guidance on contraception. “I’m seeing a trend among my … Read more
As coaching psychologist James Davis neared the big 5-0, he found himself burning out faster than candles on a birthday cake. “It was actually my wife, Claire, that noticed I was becoming more withdrawn, that I was struggling more than normal to focus, that I was lacking get-up-and-go,” Davis, who lives in the UK, told … Read more
New research suggests there’s an unholy trinity of ways that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) can sabotage men’s health. A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark set out to determine how the processed nature of food affects men, assuming that calories and nutrients are kept consistent. UPFs include packaged goods, drinks, cereals and … Read more
Director Stephen Gyllenhaal may have found his next project — and it’s a topic very close to him. Gyllenhaal — father to Oscar nominees Jake and Maggie and 10-year-old Luke — was with his youngest son at a swimming pool last year when an unusual feeling washed over him. “My arms and legs suddenly felt … Read more
It is not just women who face the harrowing hormonal effects of “the change.” Andropause — commonly called “male menopause” or “manopause” — refers to age-related declines in testosterone levels. And while women are known to have hot flashes, mood swings, dryness and a host of other symptoms during their middle-age transition, men are actually in … Read more
When she started speaking out about “the change,” Naomi Watts was worried about branding herself as a “menopausal lady” in Hollywood. “Agism is alive and well. I was nervous about it, but I thought: If I can help a few, that would be meaningful. And it turns out it wasn’t career suicide,” she said at … Read more
It was quite a red flag. Alla Feldbeyn was stunned by unexpected vaginal bleeding in November 2020, many years after she had gone through menopause. The Florida grandmother of four was diagnosed with Stage 1 endometrial cancer. The disease — which develops in the lining of the uterus — has become more common in the … Read more
Older adults who chow down on breakfast well after sunrise could be in for a rude awakening. A new study out of Mass General Brigham reveals how meal timing shifts with age — and links a later breakfast time later in life to depression, fatigue, oral health problems and even a modestly higher risk of early … Read more
Your easy, stress-free day may be going down the toilet. New research has found that the color of your pee could be a clue about how well your body will deal with stress today — but the good news is, it’s a super easy problem to fix. The study’s authors say the simple factor is … Read more
Mind over mattress? It’s no secret that most Americans don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours of nightly sleep. Persistent stress, pressure-cooker schedules, 24/7 digital connectivity and “hustle culture” significantly contribute to insomnia. There are several ways to address sleep deprivation — you could reconsider your sleep position, for one, and avoid heavy meals … Read more
Menopause can usher in a host of disruptive symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems. Hormone therapy promises relief. But many women wonder about taking it. That’s because the treatment, subject of a recent expert panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration, has long been shrouded in uncertainty. It was once used routinely. But in 2002, … Read more
Here’s something to chew over. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — a large waistline, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar and little “good” cholesterol — that significantly increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. You need three out of five of those risk factors to be … Read more
Build up the box, ladies. As we age — and particularly before, during and after menopause — estrogen production is compromised and our below-the-belt bits take a hit. “The vaginal wall collapses, it’s so real. Nobody’s talking about it. I think because it’s embarrassing,” Leslie Kenny, founder of Oxford Health Span and co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, told … Read more
It’s time to get hip to this bone density and body composition test. Osteoporosis may seem like an old person’s problem — the “silent” condition gradually reduces bone mass and density, making your inner scaffolding weaker, thinner and more prone to fractures. The disease is actually becoming increasingly common among younger people due to poor … Read more
Stop the stresses! Cortisol is known as the body’s primary stress hormone, but it has many essential functions. It naturally peaks in the morning to help you wake up and feel alert and then gradually decreases throughout the day to eventually prepare your body for sleep. Elevated cortisol over a long while can lead to increased … Read more