Stress and Women's Health

By Matthew Romberg

Because stress affects a woman's health, mental state and quality of life, it is important that women be in tune with their bodies in order to recognize the signs of stress. Stress affects different women in different ways. Some symptoms of stress are difficulty sleeping or concentrating, headache, stomach pain, depression and anxiety. Stress can stem from a range of circumstances, some of the major ones being death of a loved one, illness or injury, divorce, an accident or other emergency situation. Though these are some of the major stressors, stress can arise from any change in a person's routine. Happy occasions such as marriage or beginning a new job can also prompt stress. Other sources of stress are the everyday pressures of work and family responsibilities.

Stress can be short or long term, and it is not just your imagination. Stress causes chemical changes in the body, and the physical symptoms you experience are the result of your body's reaction to it. Under chronic stress, the body releases cortisol, a hormone that gives the body survival responses such as a temporary burst of energy and a heightened immunity and threshold for pain. This state of physiological arousal, which includes a heightened heart rate and blood pressure, is intended to subside once the threat of danger passes and the body's relaxation response kicks in. Under conditions of chronic stress, cortisol levels are heightened over prolonged periods of time, the relaxation response is hindered, and health issues can result. Chronic stress has been linked to conditions such as depression, heart disease and other heart problems, insomnia, high blood pressure, and difficulty conceiving.

Establishing a life balance that minimizes stress is important to a woman's health and well-being. The demands of juggling a family and a career often lead women to neglect their own needs. Relaxing, even briefly, is important to sustaining a healthy balance. Numerous techniques can be employed to help a woman effectively reduce the level of stress she is experiencing, some of which include:

-Getting aerobic exercise. Exercise releases natural pain and stress relievers called endorphins, and also serves as release for tension. Jogging, doing Yoga, swimming, or other activities that get your body moving are healthy ways to control stress.

-Sharing feelings. Even when there is nothing you can do to control a stressor, sharing your feelings with a friend, loved one or therapist can be a great outlet for reducing stress. Another option is writing about your situation and feelings in a journal. Putting into words the way you feel and why can help you gain a new perspective on a situation. Try to focus on the positive side of a situation and what you will learn from it.

-Saying no. Sometimes stress is the result of too many commitments. Women should take into account the level of stress they feel with their current level of obligations before taking on any new ones. A balanced lifestyle in which a woman can fulfill all of her responsibilities with some time left for relaxation is ideal.

Just as the symptoms of stress can take many forms, the methods that work best for relieving stress vary among women. Some control stress through means such as exercise, while others seek medical help to deal with high levels of stress. Finding the right treatment for your personal needs involves paying attention to your body's needs and recognizing the symptoms of stress.

About the Author: Dr. Matthew Romberg, a Round Rock OBGYN specializing in obstetrical and gynecologic care, is the President of the Heart of Texas Women's Center. The Heart of Texas Women's Center provides state of the art health care including surgical procedures, family planning counseling, complete prenatal care including high risk pregnancy management, in-house ultrasonography and well-woman services. For more information, please visit http://www.hotwc.com

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Stress Relief is the Key to Women's Health and Healthy Aging

By Chris Robertson

Adult women today are under more stress than women in any previous generation. While the sources of stress are both internal and external, there's no doubt that stress has a deleterious effect on women's health, and that it can certainly accelerate the aging process.

One of the stressors that women face is the enormous pressure to juggle family and work. With over 70 percent of elementary school children having a working mom, mothers strive to shine in their careers while giving their children the care and attention they need to thrive. Throw in assorted soccer practices, dance lessons, swim team trials, and other after school activities - plus the occasional business trip - and women often find themselves racing from one event to another. Housekeeping chores, even when shared, add another layer of "to-dos" to a woman's life. The end result is that the things that a woman does for her own physical, spiritual, and mental health fall to the bottom of the list, and are all too often neglected.

Another major stressor in women's lives - and one that is surely detrimental to women's health - is the emphasis that advertisers and the media place on a woman's appearance. Although there have been some acknowledgments that this is a factor, and some companies have changed their ad campaigns to incorporate images of "real women," women today still hold unrealistic expectations of their own health and beauty. Given that the average American woman is five feet, five inches tall and 160 pounds, the pressure to become model-thin is often irresistible. As a result, women spend inordinate amounts of time, energy, and money on weight loss plans and exercise regimes that do little to permanently alter their physiques and instead stress them out even more.

At its most basic, the key to women's health and healthy aging is stress relief. Relieving stress is an active choice that women must make, and one that will ultimately make them better partners, mothers, and workers. Here are three preliminary steps that will move any woman towards having more energy and mental clarity, as well as a greater sense of satisfaction:

1. Prioritize - You can't do it all, but you can do most of it. Make a list of the values and goals that are most important to you, and then take a hard look at the ways you spend your time. Are your activities supporting your values and goals? If not, drop those that don't support you and focus your energy on those that do.

2. Engage in Self-Care - Unless your proverbial cup is full, you won't have anything to give anyone else. That means taking care of your body, mind, and soul. Set aside time each week to nourish your spirit, and nourish your body with the health food and health supplements that will give you the energy to go about your day.

3. Learn to Say "No" - Most women are people pleasers, and are too quick to agree to anything that is asked of them. Learn to set good boundaries with others and you will feel less stressed and better able to focus on the activities that are important to you and your family's well-being.

Remember that relieving stress is a choice - one that will lead to women's health and healthy aging.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Majon's Health and Beauty directory

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Proper Diet and Nutrition Maintains Women's Good Health

By Connie Limon

One of the most important parts of a woman's ability to maintain good health is proper diet and nutrition. Researchers continue to find growing evidence of the link between healthy eating and a variety of positive health outcomes which include:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

• Cancer

• Osteoporosis

If you are a woman looking to improve your diet you should eat foods rich in fiber, folate, unsaturated fats and calcium. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains and reduce intake of sugar, salt, cholesterol, saturated fats and trans fats.

As you age, your nutritional needs may change and vary. Consult with your personal physician or other healthcare professional to ensure your diet is providing the proper nourishment required for good health.

How do fiber, fat, folate, antioxidants, calcium, Vitamin D, iron, protein, alcohol and caffeine actually affect a woman's health?

Fiber: The many benefits of high fiber intake include:

1. Substantially reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke;

2. Cereal fiber has been shown in particular to reduce the risk of heart attack;

3. Diets high in fiber protect against diabetes;

4. Diets high in soluble fiber found in vegetables, fruits and legumes can help diabetic individuals control their glucose (blood sugar level);

5. Lower cholesterol levels;

6. Improved bowel function;

7. Research also suggests that diets high in vegetable and fruit fiber may help prevent colon and rectal cancer.

Fat: It is important to reduce intake of foods high in certain types of fat and cholesterol to help decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. Of most importance is to reduce the saturated fats and trans fats rather than concentrating on reducing the total amount of "fat" intake. Avoid consuming too many low-fat foods that are high in carbohydrates. Too many carbohydrates can lower the so-called "good" cholesterol that protects against heart disease.

Folate: Is a type of B vitamin important to the production of red blood cells that can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and colon cancer. Folate supplements are recommended for women of child-bearing age usually in the form of multivitamins to help prevent a group of birth defects known as neural tube defects. These defects include spina bifida and anencephaly (failure of the brain to form).

Natural sources of folate include:

• Certain breakfast cereals

• Orange juice

• Peas

• Peanuts

• Beans

• Leafy green vegetables

Antioxidants: Certain fruits and vegetables, Vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene contain antioxidant properties. There are some studies that indicate antioxidants help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. The evidence to support these claims remains mixed.

Calcium: An adequate amount of daily calcium can help prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis particularly affects many women after menopause. It can lead to bone fractures. Calcium may also protect against colon cancer and may aid weight loss in obese women. If you are a woman who feels you need more calcium in your diet or you are just not sure how much is adequate for you, check with your physician about taking supplements.

Good sources of calcium include:

• Milk

• Yogurt

• Cheese

• Canned fish with soft bones such as sardines, anchovies and salmon

• Leafy green vegetables

• Calcium-fortified orange juice

Vitamin D: It is important to consume adequate amounts of Vitamin D to aid calcium absorption and bone formation. A lack of vitamin D can lead to softening of the bones.

Good sources of vitamin D include:

• Egg yolks

• Herring

• Sardines

• Tuna

• Salmon

• Fortified milk

Iron: A deficiency of iron can cause fatigue, decreased immunity and a type of anemia called iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is especially important to girls and women of childbearing age. Iron should be taken in moderation. Studies show high levels of iron can lead to heart disease in postmenopausal women.

Good sources of iron include:

• Liver

• Kidneys

• Red meat

• Poultry

• Eggs

• Peas

• Legumes

• Dried fruits

• Leafy vegetables

Protein: Women should get 10 to 35 percent of daily calories from protein to help prevent muscle tissue from breaking down and help repair tissue that has been damaged.

Good sources of protein include:

• Fish

• Poultry

• Eggs

• Milk

• Cheese

• Dried beans and peas

• Peanut butter

• Nuts

• Bread

• Cereal

Alcohol: Many experts agree the health risks of moderate consumption of alcohol outweigh the potential benefits of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease shown in some studies.

Pregnant and nursing women should not drink alcohol in any form as it can cause harm to their offspring.

The many adverse health consequences of alcohol consumption include:

• Increased risk of cancers of the breast, mouth, esophagus, throat, larynx and liver

• Alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause birth defects including fetal alcohol syndrome

• Cirrhosis of the liver

• May increase the frequency and severity of hot flashes during menopause

Caffeine: Is a stimulant and diuretic found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and some over-the-counter drugs. A reduction of caffeine is often recommended during pregnancy. It may affect the heart rate and blood pressure, contribute to dehydration and have other possible side effects.

Numerous health problems can be the result of poor nutrition as well as obesity, which causes additional health problems. By contrast, are women with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Women who are underweight may experience irregular menstrual cycles, a stopping of menstruation called amenorrhea, which can lead to dental problems and osteoporosis and a shortened lifespan.

Source: Science Daily Healthology

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.

Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://smalldogs2.com/NutritionHealthHub and http://www.camelotarticles.com

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The Role Progesterone Plays in a Woman's Health

By Rita Lambros-Segur

Progesterone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone manufactured by the body and is considered a sex hormone. Steroid hormones are built from cholesterol and f there is not enough cholesterol in the body, it won't produce sufficient amounts of progesterone and other steroid hormones. This results in a badly skewed hormonal balance. The use of this natural hormone, usually in a cream or oral oils, can help get the endocrine system back in balance.

WHAT DOES PROGESTERONE DO?

Basically, it's needed by the body for a variety of jobs. It is a precursor to other hormones, like corticosterone, cortisol, estradiol, estrone, estriol and testosterone and is necessary to maintain a pregnancy. When an egg is released, the resulting follicle in the ovary, called the corpus luteum, produces progesterone. This prevents the lining of the uterus from shedding so the developing embryo can implant and grow. The corpus luteum produces during the first trimester of pregnancy. Later, the placenta takes over production. Without sufficient progesterone, the pregnancy will end. The adrenal glands also produce a small amount in both men and women.

These natural levels drop right before a woman's period starts, and low levels are implicated in PMS, repeated miscarriage, and insomnia. The body's levels also drop at menopause, causing a woman's cycles to cease which is why using a natural form in cream or oral oil is imperative.

HORMONE BALANCING

Balancing progesterone and estrogen is important in maintaining health as adequate production helps maintain the endometrium in the uterus, normalizes blood clotting, blood sugar levels, zinc and copper levels, promotes sleep and a normal sex drive, helps prevent breast cancer, uterine cancer and fibrocystic breasts, stimulates bone building, reduces estrogen dominance symptoms, and is necessary to maintain a pregnancy.

Men need this hormone for the production of testosterone and other steroid hormones, as well as maintaining the prostate gland.

Estrogen dominance triggers cell growth. Without progesterone to trigger maturation, uncontrolled cell growth can result in some kinds of cancer. Too much estrogen coupled with too little of other hormones can promote osteoporosis. An excess of estrogen can also be a catalyst for hypothyroidism. A simple saliva test can check the hormone ratio so a dosage of hormonal cream or oil can be given, if necessary.

HOW CAN NATURAL PROGESTERONE HELP?

Natural progesterone can stimulate the osteoblast cells and encourage bone cell growth to fight osteoporosis. PMS symptoms will subside, and pre-menopausal symptoms can be controlled. Most women using natural forms will report feeling better almost immediately. Natural forms have also been shown to help with migraines and other ailments that can be affected by hormonal imbalance. Supplementation can help clarify thinking, make your allergies less severe, reduce muscle and joint pain, and help you sleep better.

If any of these symptoms sound like something you're more familiar with than you'd like to be, speak to your health care provider. Natural supplementation may be what you need to balance your system.

For more tips on progesterone nutrition, see: http://www.electricalbody.com/product/natural-progesterone-oil.htm - Natural Progesterone Oil.

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A Woman's Health Checklist

By Kadence Buchanan

Regular exercise and a balanced, healthy diet are the hallmarks of good health. However, although you may be doing your best to fulfill the requirements of these two essentials, there is still a lot to be concerned about. That is why it is advisable to have regular visits to the doctor to undergo tests to monitor your health and check for possible diseases.

During your visits, the doctor will usually ask about your personal medical history and that of your family to determine past incidence of heart disease, breast cancer or thyroid disease.

The following is a simple health checklist that every woman must be aware of.

1. Teeth

Upon turning 18, women are encouraged to visit their dentists at least once a year for a dental exam and cleaning.

2. Eyes

It is recommended that women undergo an eye exam every other year. Upon turning 40, women should have eye examinations at least once every year even though they may have no problems with their sight. And after age 45, women are encouraged to undertake regular testing for glaucoma.

3. Hearing

Doctors recommend that women past the age of 65 should have their hearing checked annually.

4. Blood Pressure

Most doctors advise their women patients to have their blood pressure checked at least every two years.

5. Physical Exams

When a woman is in her twenties, she should have at least two physicals during a 10-year span. Each physical should check her height and weight as well as her cholesterol levels. If the cholesterol level is normal, succeeding check-ups can be undertaken every five years until the woman reaches the age of 65 and then every three to five years afterwards.

From the ages of 30 to 65, women should have a physical examination every one to five years based on her overall health. After the age of 65, she should have regular check-ups that monitor blood pressure and other tests including a blood test and urinalysis.

6. Breast Exam

The American Cancer Society recommends that women undergo a self-examination of their breasts every month to detect any bumps that may signify the onset of breast cancer. Their website provides detailed instruction on how to do this properly.

7. Mammograms

After the age of 40, women should undergo annual mammogram testing to determine the possible presence of breast cancer. If a woman has breast cancer in her family, then she should subject herself to a mammogram earlier than that. For the best results, it is advisable to undergo the mammogram at the same medical facility and, if possible, using the same machine, to ensure accuracy.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Women's Health, Relationship, and Nursing

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Menopause Health: Hormone Replacement Therapy Facts

Author: Kristin Gabriel
Are you debating hormone replacement therapy? If so, you're not alone. According to the US Census Bureau, there were an estimated 78.2 million baby boomers, as of July 1, 2005, and over 47 million of them are women experiencing discomfort from menstruation to menopause, and even loss of libido.



For those who still do not use any Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), the idea of anti-aging and bio-identical hormones has become intriguing. A myriad of products on the market make the right choice difficult.



People have become accustomed to talking about bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in menopause and anti-aging medicines versus synthetic big pharmaceutical products like Prempro from Wyeth. Bio-identical hormone products are usually created from natural sources of plant hormones which match the chemical structure of hormones produced by the human body. The premise is that the body can't distinguish created bio-identical hormones from the ones the female ovaries produce naturally.



The term bio-identical has basically become a catch all phrase for anything that is not a synthetic hormone. However "bio-identical" hormones can only be truly accurately bio-identical if the hormones for replacement mimic, not only those found in the body, but mimic the natural biological process as well.



In other words, natural plant derived hormones can accurately be termed bio-identical only when they are dosed in a Biomimetic fashion; that would be in a rhythm. Biomimetic hormones, the scientifically accurate term, are derived from plant sources and mimic in the body the natural undulating or wavelike rhythms of the hormone blood levels in a normal menstrual cycle in a healthy young woman. This is the natural rhythm that's missing from other bio-identical and synthetic hormone replacement therapies. It is the absence of this natural rhythm, according to T.S. Wiley, who developed the Wiley Protocol, that is responsible for the side-effects in both camps.



This is the natural rhythm that's missing from other bio-identical and synthetic hormone replacement therapies. It is the absence of this natural rhythm, according to T.S. Wiley, who developed the Wiley Protocol, that is responsible for the side-effects in both camps.



So what exactly is meant by "the rhythm"? The body has rhythms that are governed by a master clock that works much like a conductor. It strikes up one section of the body's orchestra as another quiets down, taking its main cue from light signals in the environment to stay in sync with the 24-hour day. Our body's hormones surge and ebb to this maestro's baton, controlling all endocrine function, predominantly a woman's health for reproduction.



It is the circadian clock in our cells that measures one 24 hour spin of the planet. For 28 days the moon adds its light to create the menstrual rhythm for the body. The Wiley Protocol uses these natural rhythms in nature to establish the proper doses of estradiol and natural progesterone that mimic the natural hormones which would be produced in your body if you were young. The amounts of the topical creams vary throughout the 28 day cycle to restore the hormone levels of youth because young women typically don't have heart attacks, breast cancer, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes or Alzheimer's,.



Questions about HRT began when The National Institute of Health (NIH) sponsored the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). This study of more than 161,000 women was designed to identify the benefits and risks of using hormone restoration therapy to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Many people, including doctors, did not realize that the results of WHI Study dealt with only women over 65 who were taking only synthetic hormone replacement therapy which consisted of the drugs PremPro and Premarin only. The study was ended mid-stream in 2002 when, WHI investigators found that the risks of this approach using synthetic therapy exceeded the safety limits established at the beginning of the study. They never looked at compounded bio-identical hormones in static doses because they are prescribed and dosed too many different ways.



Women deserve something proven to be safe and reliable. A new study, Bio-identical Hormones On Trial, or B.H.O.T., will soon begin at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Texas, Tyler. The principal objective of the study will be to examine clinical outcomes and quality of life indicators of patients receiving BHRT at 10 to 12 primary care provider's practices. This study will be the first of its kind to track and quantify outcomes based on dosing and patterns of administration of BHRT.



In 2030 there will be 57.8 million baby boomers living with many of the health issues that we may suffer between the ages of 66 and 84. There's a chance that those who choose Biomimetic rhythmic replacement, could age to a healthier more graceful tune. Think about it.

About the Author:

Writer Kristin Gabriel works with T.S. Wiley who teaches environmental endocrinlogy and is the author of "Lights Out" and "Sex, Lies & Menopause." The Wiley Protocol Biomimetic Hormone Restoration Therapy (BHRT), also known as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, is for any doctor or woman seeking cutting edge therapies for menopause and anti-aging. The multi-phasic rhythmic variable dosing schedule of the Wiley Protocol is the only Biomimetic HRT on the market. Visit www.thewileyprotocol.com

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The Healthiest Woman in the Neigborhood

Author: Ms. Michael C. Redmond, PhDc

Woman have many issues that men will never experience. They range from yeast infections, vaginities,vaginal irritation,seman allergies, menstruation, menapause, pregnancy and others.

In some cultures woman are taught to be very private and do not discuss such matters with a Doctor. In other cultures and in certain age groups woman rely on the advice of their friends.

Knowledge is power. Maureen Salmon wrote some easy deffinitions on about.com

Vaginitis can result from sexual intercourse or any other factor that disrupts the normal balance of the vagina, which contains bacteria that help cleanse the vagina and keep it naturally moist.

Intercourse-related factors that can cause vaginal irritation, itching and burning may include the use of cream and jelly spermicides or other vaginally inserted contraceptives, including the sponge. Also, menopausal women, whose lower estrogen levels sometimes cause vaginal thinning and drying, may find sex especially irritating to the vagina. OTC vaginal creams that increase lubrication during sex may help.

Women can sometimes be allergic to semen, a situation that can vary from partner to partner depending on the particular proteins contained in the seminal fluid of each. Condoms can help.

Latex condems can also casue burning and itching. Non latex condems are available.

Having a regular menstrual cycle is usually a sign of good health. When you have a late or missed period could be a sign that something is up. There are many different reasons for late periods but if the problem continues for more than one menstrual cycle, make an appointment with your doctor or alterntive health care provider to discuss the issue.

Having a coach or therapitst to when experiencing medical issues can be a great emotional comfort. It is critical to become even more happy when things sometimes don't go the way a womam is hoping for. When medical issues arrive its ok to talk about them with a professional who undersands.

About the Author:

Michael is a Board Certified Psychoneurologist. She is a PhDc in Integrative Healthing and Psychoneurology. Her website is www.solutionfocusedcoaching.com and www.msmichael.com

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