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Are you an ‘old bag?’ An open letter to a reader.

Posted by Liz on Apr 30, 2010 in Uncategorized | 19 comments

Evidently if you are over 40, you are at risk of becoming one, especially if you are not ‘nice to men.’

I was struck and a bit stunned by a reader comment that I received this week. The comment was in response to a post about the Cougar Convention, and made a point to denigrate women as much as possible.

This is what Jimbo wrote:

Yes, most all women are desparate. Look how they dress. Look at the makeup. Look at what they show off. It is obvious. They are desparate for sexual attention. Yet, they want the attention as if they are in control and giving themselves as a gift. This is a none truth. Women need to get real and look at themselves and their own behavior. They are desparate for sex and men.

When women get to be 40+, they start to get honest. Heck, there is not much time left to pretend. They need to find a man and be real nice to him before they turn into old bags.

A number of readers have responded to Jimbo’s comment, obviously taking offense. I chose to leave Jimbo’s comment up up for the very reason that I don’t censor; afterall, Jimbo is entitled to his opinion. However, I would like to leave Jimbo with this:

Jimbo –

40 year-old+ women are sexy, beautiful and self-assured. They have lived long enough to have gained the wisdom to allow them to feel comfortable in their bodies. And have a tendency to embrace who they are, sometimes even more than their younger peers. Nevertheless, in all fairness, you responded to a post entitled “Pimp your hide,” in which I referred to certain women attending a convention that encourages them to use their sexuality to attract a younger man. This however, is the exception and not the rule; the majority of women I know do not have fake boobs or plumped lips and have not done liposuction. While many color their hair (present company included), don’t be surprised if you find them out and about without makeup or wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Or better yet, out with men their age or older. Yes, Jimbo, women don’t always ‘dress to kill.’

So, Jimbo, I’d like you to see what a soon-to-be 49 year-old looks like – at the gym and home, with or without make-up. I can assure you; I am not an old bag nor do I ever intend to be one.

What does your 40+ look like? Comment or send me a photo and I’ll post! Let’s make Jimbo eat his words.

Round-up: March news and tidbits

Posted by Liz on Apr 2, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo_0UXRY_rY]

Seriously, this isn’t an April’s Fool’s post, one day late. In fact, I’ve been so distracted lately that apparently, I forgot to do a round up for the last two months running. Shameful, isn’t it. In any case, even though it’s brilliantly April and March will soon be a distant memory, I thought I’d provide a recap. Don’t want to miss a thing and neither should you. Enjoy!

• Trans fats are not your friend – Trans Fats – yeah, best to skip them. It appears that they may increase your risk for ischemic stroke by as much as 40%.
• Osteoporosis – all bets are off – Is it age or hormones? Hormones or age? The chicken or the egg? What truly drives a woman’s risk for osteoporosis?
• What’s your flava? – Boy, I got slammed for this post but I’ll leave it to you to decide whether it was fair or not. Labiaplasty is the next best thing to enhance a couple’s chance of staying together. At least according to several hundred male plastic surgeons. Mind you, the procedure is necessary and an excellent choice for certain women – be sure to read the post comments.
• In celebration of women. My conversation with chef/author Mollie Katzen – There’s no country for old woman..I talk to Mollie Katzen how to recapture our (self)-image as we age.
• One drink makes you smaller – Can alcohol help you lose weight? The reports were all over the news. But wait til you see the miniscule amounts.
• Every breath you take. Lung cancer & HRT – Seems that researchers are saying that HRT not only increases deaths from lung cancer but also, the risk of developing lung cancer.
• Just breathe – that’s right, controlled, mindful breathing exercises may be just what the doctor ordered for halting those bothersome hot flashes.
• Bedfan – the real deal – I made fun of it last year but evidently, this nifty product is a hot seller for cool outcomes.
• WISHFIT – women’s research takes a village – Want research that works? Involve the community! Rush University Medical Center is letting women in the neighborhood help design their next study. Health 2.0 meets social meets research.
• Got fat? Soyrry but soy won’t work – Love love love soy products. But they aren’t going to help your overall body composition.
• No pain, no. Killing two birds with one stone – Can analgesics prevent breast cancer? Only time will tell.
• Just an hour a day keeps the weight away – Looks like if you want to stave off weight, you need to step up the program. Here’s why…
• This is your brain on midlife – I’ve lost my brain. Have you seen it?

West meets East…Guest post: Jonathan Black, MD/MPH student

Posted by Liz on Feb 15, 2010 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

I spend a lot of time on Flashfree writing about complementary or Integrative Medicine. This refers to the meeting of the Western versus Eastern minds, combining the best of both worlds, if you will. Hence, I was excited to read my Twitter friend @jonathanblack’s positive experiences with his integrative medicine courses, so much so, that I asked him to write a guest post. I was curious to learn how and if medical schools were starting to slowly incorporate Eastern/Integrative health into their curriculum and even more so, how students felt about it. It seems that there is a huge divide between doctors who are up and coming in the field today and those who have been practicing for awhile. Although it is possible to encounter a physician who embraces integrative medicine, it is probably easier to find those who characterize it as “quackery,” refusing to give credence to the evidence-based studies that exist or consider that perhaps, the way that studies are conducted in Western medicine do not consider the intricacies of Eastern practice. Regardless, because I feel so strongly about integrative strategies and their role in our healthcare as women, I think that it’s imperative that we understand where the bridges and gaps are. Without that understanding, we can never entirely play an active role in our own healthcare. Or become a strong voice for a broader imcorporation of these practices into Western, or allopathic medicine.

Please welcome Jon and show him some love with some great comments!

The exposure that medical students receive to Integrative Medicine varies between medical institutions. It depends on a number of factors, including whether or not the institution has a center for Integrative Health, how progressive the medical administration is at the medical school, and the relationship between practitioners and physicians within the geographical area. Regardless, most of the time, the degree that medical students are exposed to Integrative Medicine is insufficient.

To that end, my medical school dedicates one afternoon during the second year to Integrative Medicine. For students who opt out of an an additional four-week elective, that one afternoon is the only exposure that they will receive throughout their entire education. Considering that over 40% of patients use some form of Integrative Medicine, whether it is Yoga, vitamins, or something else, this is problematic. If you don’t have a solid understanding about Integrative Medicine, it is difficult to talk to patients about it. Understanding this concept, I chose to take the additional four-week elective.

During these four weeks, I shadowed and worked with massage therapists, herbologists, yogis, reiki masters, music therapists, chiropractors, and qigong instructors. Ultimately, I found this experience to be tremendously useful, as it provided me with a new perspective from which I can discuss Integrative Medicine with my patients and it allowed me the opportunity to connect with practitioners who I otherwise wouldn’t have had access to. As someone going into Obstetrics and Gynecology, it also peaked my interest regarding how these forms of therapies might be integrated into women’s healthcare.

The more I’ve looked into the blossoming relationship between women’s health and Integrative Medicine, the more I have realized that I am like a small fish lost in open water. From conferences to complete guides on the subject, the materials and opportunities available in this field are endless. There is also a lot that is unknown on the matter and an abundance of research continues to evolve. That being said, I have come to the conclusion that while I will always be able to competently care for women from an allopathic standpoint, this won’t always be the case from an Integrative Medicine standpoint, regardless of how much time I put into learning different modalities. So, on a professional level, it will be important for me to develop solid relationships with Integrative practitioners within the community I am working in, and hopefully, integrate them and their work into my own practice. Collaborative medicine is the wave of the future and I want to be on the forefront and I think that this approach will allow me to be there.

About Jonathan…

Jonathan D. Black is a 4^th year MD/MPH student at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, New York. He is going into the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Wednesday Bubble: Just melt that fat away

Posted by Liz on Feb 10, 2010 in Uncategorized, weight | 1 comment

What if someone told you that you zap that tired around your middle that’s suddenly appeared? Or melt away the flab on your thighs? According to manufacturers of Zerona™, low-level laser can be applied to the areas of fat deposits lying right below the skin to literally reshape and recontour the body. In fact, you can reportedly lose up to two sizes with only two weeks of treatment. What happens to the fat? It seeps into the body’s lymphatic system and then is used as energy.

Why does this sound too good to be true?

According to an in-depth piece in the New York Times, Zerona is readily available nationwide at a pricetag of $1700 to $3800 for six sessions. Experts say that results depend on the individual, including whether or not they are obese, have had prior surgery on the area that they want re-treated, and if they eat healthy and exercise. However, some experts say that it’s unclear how the body rids itself of fat and remain unconvinced that fat can be eliminated in a non-invasive way. On the other hand, data presented at the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery suggest as much as a 22% reduction of the fat layer in some people.

What do you think? Bubble or not? It might be too early to tell.  Although the company has reportedly submitted clinical information to the Food & Drug Administration in hopes of approval, so far, it’s just an experimental dermatologic treatment that can put a major dent in your bank account.

Zerona. “Reveal your true self.” Hmmmmm.

The Roundup: January News and Tidbits

Posted by Liz on Jan 29, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

[Credit: Special thanks to artist Darryl Willison of whimsicalwest.com. Please visit his site and support his work.]

Is it already February? This year is going to fly by. Into the tens and closer to Spring! Let’s take a look at what January brought in terms of menopause and midlife:

• Needling your way into the ’10s- ACUFLASH is back in a big way, with more data showing the power of acupuncture for alleviating hot flashes.
• Wednesday Bubble: What’s black and red and so not over? – Are black cohosh and red clover safe and effective for menopausal symptoms? Take a look at this comparison to other treatments.
• Got ‘tude? – Leave those negative thoughts and impressions behind. They may be affecting how you experience menopause and even worsen symptoms.
• When it comes to physical fitness, forget the hormones –If you’re taking hormones to stave off the physical decline of old age, you’re wasting your time.
• Wednesday Bubble: Fiagra – Sex sells. Even during menopause.
• Preventing heart disease in menopause: it’s as easy as L-D-L – Wondering why heart disease risk increases as women age? Apparently, a surge in cholesterol levels just before menopause sets in is an important piece of the puzzle.
• Baby got back – That ass and thighs you’re trying to shed? Wait a minute; it might actually prolong your life.
• Wednesday bubble: take care of your wants and needles – Fear of needles may lead to laser acupuncture. However, there’s not a lot of evidence that it works.
• Keep it cool: SHEEX – This breathable fabric takes you off the court and into bed, night sweats – no worries!
• A doc and a diva walk up to a rooftop – Red not-so-hot Mama’s founder takes the conversation to the rooftop and pow wows with a doc about a hormonal patch. No, this is way too good to make up.
• Wednesday Bubble: Scentuelle seduction – deux – Time for the reveal! Here’s what I think about Scentuelle and its role in menopause strategies.

Wednesday Bubble: what’s black and red and so not over?

Posted by Liz on Jan 6, 2010 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

How about black cohosh and red clover?

Naysayers keep bashing both of these herbs for relief of menopausal symptoms. And yet, anecdotal evidence show otherwise; I know quite a number of women who have successfully shut down their flashes and night sweats with standardized black cohosh in particular. For red clover, the results have not been quite as favourable. Still, I say this bubble ain’t over yet.

In the latest study, published in Menopause journal, researchers examined the safety and effectiveness of standardized black cohosh or red clover compared to hormone replacement or placebo in 89 menopausal women with severe hot flashes or night sweats (52 to 71 per week). Participants took one of these compounds for a year.

The results showed that while all women reported improvements, reductions in the frequency of symptoms varied by compound:

Black cohosh 34%
Red clover 57%
Placebo 63%
HRT 94%

However, contrary to previous reports, both black cohosh and red clover were found to be safe.

So, what should you do when it comes to black cohosh or red clover? As always, speak to a health practitioner about your symptoms so that you and she can make an educated decision about therapeutic strategies. Be sure that any herb you try is standardized and manufactured in a reputable facility. Finally, be aware that herbs take much longer than pharmaceuticals to start working so don’t get discouraged. The good news is that both of these products can be safe when used responsibly and under supervision. Nevertheless, like any medication, they can interact with other drugs and other conditions so you need to do your homework wisely.