You have probably heard the United States has the highest divorce rate in the world. An estimated 45% of marriages are expected to end in divorce. We’ve seen this up close through our 15-year-old son’s friends, who are only available to “hang out” on alternate weekends and often spend holidays away from their school and neighborhood friends. But, these are … Read More
Mona Lisa Touch: Laser Treatment Relieves Vaginal Discomfort
When I learned what the Mona Lisa Touch is for, I smiled and wondered. Midas men have a golden touch. Why not something a little mysterious, yet gentle to help countless women experiencing a range of heretofore unspeakable symptoms in the most delicate of places? Curious? Well, lean in. The Mona Lisa Touch is a laser treatment similar to a … Read More
Moving Through Menopause
Just when you think you can relax a little and sink into that favored reading chair more often comes the oft-repeated (sometimes too often) news that the only way to stave off the middle-age bulge is: moving—exercise, that is. And, eating less. The Mayo Clinic says in a 2012 study published in Menopause that women gain an average of ten … Read More
What Do Men Know — About Menopause?
Not surprisingly, men are nearly as reluctant as women are to talk openly about menopause – at least in my very unscientific survey. The most frequent response to my queries: “I’m not a good person to ask,” even from those who have weathered the formidable storm. Turns out, their hesitancy is well founded: they lack reliable information and are worn … Read More
Raising Teens: How Much is Too Much And When Is Enough Enough?
Parenting, that is. I know when my children hit the tweens/teens decade, I wanted to crawl under the rug and hide. My mom has heard me say on too many occasions, “I hate teenagers.” I wanted to return them to first grade, when they were still open-minded and at least believed their parents knew something. Although I’m nearing the tail … Read More
Do Mommy And Daddy Seem A Little Weird?
Ever since the phrase “empty nest” was first coined in the 1970s to describe the long-married couple facing an empty household after their children have flown the coop, the term has become a full-blown syndrome. Until recently, empty nesters were assumed to be depressed, lost souls wandering in the wilderness searching for a new purpose in life. Now, however, the … Read More
Letting Go Of The Reigns
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. – Dr. Seuss Great advice from someone who really knew how to make people smile. As I help my firstborn child prepare for her freshman year of college, I’m trying to take this advice to heart. But, I must admit, there are times when this is much easier said than done. … Read More
Letting Go, Not Giving Up: A New You
My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations. – Michael J. Fox, 54 At 54, Michael J. Fox is hardly old, but this statement suggests wisdom beyond his years. And, while menopause and natural aging is not nearly as difficult as learning to accept a condition like Parkinson’s Disease, it is a … Read More
The Change: Is It For Better Or Worse?
Seemingly, no two women’s menopause experiences are alike. Nearly everyone has a different combination of timing, symptoms, and perhaps most importantly, response to this life-altering transition. We’ve come a long way, baby, in our attitudes toward menopause. Granted, women don’t discuss their menopausal stories as freely as we share our menstrual cramp and childbirth horror stories, but certainly since the … Read More
Your Hot Flashes Might Be Telling You Something
Recent health news reports told menopausal women our hot flashes and night sweats could be with us for longer than originally estimated. Some unfortunate women may endure these types of vasomotor symptoms for up to 14 years. That’s rough. Yet, there may be an unseen benefit. A Women’s Health Initiative study summarized by Endocrinology Advisor found women who experience moderate … Read More