Pregnancy After 45 – When Do You Hang Up The Baby Booties?

By Dr. Jennifer Landa

With the recent miscarriage suffered by TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” star, Michelle Duggar, the risks of pregnancy after age 45 have stepped into the limelight. These days, many celebrities are having children at older ages and making it seem easy and the norm, but such a feat is not without significant risks.

The risk of miscarriage in general is high – one in seven pregnancies end in miscarriage, and with the ability to detect pregnancies at very early stages with at-home pregnancy tests, the true union of sperm and egg often ends in a miscarriage 60 to 70 percent of the time. After the age of 40, this risk increases to one in three pregnancies and by age 45 – one in two pregnancies will end in a miscarriage.

A number of factors contribute to this high-risk – the first being lower levels of progesterone. As a woman ages her hormone levels naturally decline.  Low progesterone makes the pregnancy at extreme risk for miscarriage because this hormone is responsible for supporting the embryo and growing fetus. Without adequate levels, that support to the fetus is non-existent and the pregnancy fails.

Genetic abnormalities, due to the eggs of an older female being…well, older – also contribute to the riskiness of the pregnancy. In an older egg, the risk of mistakes when the DNA is replicated skyrockets, putting the pregnancy or, ultimately, the baby at-risk. In this case, pregnancies that do make it term have a greater risk of producing a child with special needs.  This is something women should take into serious consideration when planning pregnancy after the age of 40.

Not only is pregnancy after age 45 risky for the baby, it can be a challenging situation for the mother-to-be as well. Gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia are significant disease risks.  Both threaten the health and future health of the mother and the fetus. Pre-eclampsia is the number two cause of maternal death in the United States, primarily affecting pregnant women under 20 or over 40 years of age.

In the case of Michelle Duggar, her age was not her only risk factor – women who have had several children are at an even greater risk of premature delivery and postpartum bleeding.  After multiple deliveries, the uterus loses its muscle tone.  These muscles are essential to slowing and stopping bleeding after delivery – excessive bleeding following delivery can also lead to emergency surgery, hysterectomy or even – death.

Pregnancy is always a blessing and many women might argue that it is worth every risk to bear their own child, however, if you carefully examine the risks – it is not just the health of the mother that is affected – the baby’s entire life could be altered.  If you are planning to or do become pregnant at an older age, generally after age 35, talk to your doctor to minimize risks associated with your pregnancy.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Sexy Feelings Heading South After 40?

by Dr. Jennifer Landa

It’s 10 p.m. and you’ve had a very busyl work day. You’ve finally had a chance to shower off that hectic mess of a day and pour yourself a small glass of red wine to sip while watching the early evening news. All of sudden, he walks in with his suggestive grin and you begin to cringe at the thought of  having to perform ANYTHING…especially sex!

His grin used to be all you ever needed to get in the mood.  But now, something’s different. The two of you have been so busy that you haven’t even seen or talked to each other all day, you’re feeling so tired that you can barely hold your wine glass up and (quite frankly) sex is the last thing on your mind for tonight…or any other night this month for that matter.

It seems that after years of having passionate sex, many women lose that “sexy feeling” once they get into their 40s. Is this just something we have to accept as a usual change in our bodies and lives? Will we ever have that same desire for sex we once had in our 20s and 30s?

Here’s the deal. In our younger years, sex drive has a lot to do with biology and our physical “urge to merge.” Our bodies have a need to procreate and make babies! As we enter our 40s, our hormone levels start to fluctuate because our bodies no longer feel that need. However, just because our reproductive years are ending doesn’t mean our sex life has to end also!

If you’re finding it harder and harder to get into the mood, that’s okay – it’s a natural stage in a woman’s life. That just means it’s probably time to reboot your libido because sex is definitely a very important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle.

I’ve recently written a book to help women everywhere reignite their sex lives and continue to live a healthy lifestyle. I talk about a passion for passion in my book titled Libido Reboot, (due out later this year) and I explain the many things women can do to help them suffering from a low sex drive.

However, I didn’t always have a passion for passion. I was only 28 years-old when I started losing my sex drive…only 28! Between working a very stressful 100 hours per week as an OB/GYN resident and being on the birth control pill (which drastically changed my hormones) I could have cared less about sex. Since then, I’ve obviously found some methods that got my libido going again.

Rejuvenating your libido is a multidimensional process. Be prepared to invest time, attention, and energy into this journey. Be prepared for a change in diet, a shift in physical activity patterns, and a new awareness of where your time and energy are best spent.

The most important thing to remember is that there’s no one definition of a healthy libido – it’s different for every woman.                                        

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,” there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system and a dream.  All things are possible”.  Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Menopause In Your 30′s

by Dr. Jennifer Landa BodyLogicMD

 

I’m too young for menopause right? It’s funny. Women are always talking about how they can’t wait to be done with their periods forever!  But, when it finally does come,  they find that they’re not quite ready for menopause – especially if it comes earlier than expected.

Recently, a study was done involving 5,000 women in which 7% of those women went through “the change” before their 40^th birthday. It was previously believed that only 1-2% of women went through menopause before their 40^th birthday. So what happened? It used to be that we could expect to go through menopause around the same age our mother did – which would be well into our late 40s or 50s. But now, things have changed. 

I can tell you that the risk of autoimmune disease is much higher today than it ever used to be. Autoimmune diseases can seriously affect your body’s major systems. These diseases are usually caused from your bodily systems working overtime to respond to unwanted and unhealthy substances you consume.  The same thing applies with early menopause.  Consistently poisoning your body with things it doesn’t need will make your body work that much harder, which can then cause you to go through menopause earlier than you planned.

Some of the different things that you could be poisoning yourself with that contribute to earlier menopause include:

• Environmental toxins: many women are consuming an increased level of environmental toxins like xenoestrogens, BPA and parabens – all of which are hormone disruptors that can increase your risk of estrogen dominance, aka hormone imbalance between estrogen and progesterone.   There are many other toxins that we are exposed to – others may come in the form of pesticides so try to go organic and wash fruits and vegetables well before you eat them.
• Diet: if you know you have a food sensitivity or intolerance, there’s a reason why you shouldn’t be eating those foods (and it’s not just to punish you). You may not even know you have a food sensitivity. A good way to find out if you do is to try an elimination diet. Once you know what foods affect you negatively, stay away from them as they can greatly increase your risk of autoimmune disease and lead to earlier menopause.
• Stress: your own internal toxins are yet another obstacle your body has to process. And not only is it another toxin your body is dealing with, stress also wreaks havoc on our hormone levels, which (if permanent damage is done) can also increase the risk of early menopause.

Obviously, early menopause can also be caused by different surgical procedures such as a hysterectomy, chemotherapy or the removal of your ovaries.

Although it’s usually a rite of passage for women later in their lives, if you continue to poison yourself with environmental toxins, bad food and stress you might just go through “the change” earlier than you had planned, which has negative health consequences for you including increased risks of osteoporosis, premature heart disease, premature dementia and loss of sex drive and decreased overall quality of life. 

So clean up your lifestyle now.  Take steps to prevent early menopause starting today.

 

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality.  Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Sexual Dysfunction and Diabetes

By Dr. Jennifer Landa

Sexual dysfunction in female diabetics has only received attention within the last decade.. Nearly 40 percent of diabetic women experience some type of sexual dysfunction affecting both their desire and performance.

Unlike a man with diabetes, sexual dysfunction in diabetic females is most commonly linked to body image, depression and anxiety. In some cases, it may be attributed to more serious complications of the disease such as vascular damage, neuropathy or infections. Diabetic women who have experienced, or are also experiencing menopause, may be dealing with a dual challenge when it comes to overcoming sexual dysfunction.

Mind over Mattress

Studies have observed that women affected by diabetes have a low self-esteem and poor body image in comparison to women not affected by diabetes. This may be linked to depression and anxiety – which affects 60 percent of diabetic patients – and can literally tank your libido. Women who must wear a pump or check their blood sugar before sex may become self-conscious, reducing the likelihood that they will initiate or engage in sex. Traditional stressors that affect any woman in the bedroom – such as weight management – pile onto the reasons diabetic women experience sexual dysfunction.

The root cause of female sexual dysfunction in these cases can often be addressed with lifestyle changes and a trusted partner. A balanced diet and routine exercise are proven methods for controlling weight and improving mood.  Don’t be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about your sexual distress – some cases may be more severe and require a change in medication or additional counseling.  Don’t forget that communicating with your sexual partner can be a very effective way to alleviate the fears hindering your sexual function.

The Prescription

The most effective way to avoid sexual dysfunction related to diabetes is to properly manage the disease. Making an effort to live a healthy lifestyle and carefully monitoring your blood glucose levels will decrease your risk of neuropathy, infections and circulatory issues. You will also be among the fortunate women affected by diabetes that enjoy higher energy levels and less anxiety because they practice good diabetes management. In some cases, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may be useful – adequate amounts of progesterone, testosterone and growth hormone play a role in the delicate regulation of blood glucose levels.

Women who experience vaginal dryness as part of their diabetes-related sexual dysfunction may be dealing with a hormonal imbalance. Low estrogen levels can occur in diabetic women and is a likely culprit in women who are also experiencing menopause. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a solution that may be explored to correct this issue. If the dryness is related exclusively to diabetes, over-the-counter lubrications are also an effective choice.

There are answers, so do your research and find a doctor you trust.  Together you will find ways to rekindle the sparks of passion.

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

Hormone Replacement Is Essential For Our Brains

by Linda Franklin –  The Real Cougar Woman

Hormone Replacement Therapy is a subject fraught with high levels of controversy.  Some doctors recommend it to their patients, while others are advising women to steer clear.  This cross current of information is confusing and leaves women wondering what to do.  And, now that women are entering menopause earlier, some as early as 35, it's often misdiagnosed. (Read this article By Dr. Jennifer Landa).

When women start to lose estrogen their bodies are more susceptible to many health risks. There is no shortage of articles on the perils of Hormone Replacement but we rarely see research that points out the benefits of replacing our estrogen supply.

Menopause Before Forty

by Dr. Jennifer Landa BodyLogicMD

I’m too young for menopause right? It’s funny. Women are always talking about how they can’t wait to be done with their periods forever!  But, when it finally does come, many women find that they’re not quite ready for menopause – especially if it comes earlier than expected.

Recently, a study was done involving 5,000 women in which 7% of those women went through “the change” before their 40^th birthday. It was previously believed that only 1-2% of women went through menopause before their 40^th birthday. So what happened? It used to be that we could expect to go through menopause around the same age our mother did – which would be well into our late 40s or 50s. But now, things have changed.

Gluten Free – Fad Diet Or Healthy Choice?

By Dr. Jennifer Landa

  I was at my local Whole Foods store the other day and noticed a women stocking up on anything and everything that contained the words “gluten free” on the package. I knew immediately that she was sold on what she thought was the best diet since cabbage soup.

I really wanted to ask her if she had a medical reason for staying away from gluten, or if she was just jumping on the gluten free bandwagon because it’s become so popular. I decided not to intrude and just finished my own shopping.

Is this gluten free craze a fad diet or a legitimate way to live a healthier life? Well…actually it’s both.

Gluten is found in things like wheat, barley and rye, so getting rid of gluten-filled breads and pastas from your diet can really help with weight loss. However, eliminating gluten from your diet only to add gluten-free, processed snacks like cookies and crackers really isn’t going to help your waistline at all. In fact, those processed foods can hurt your waistline. Not to mention, all those gluten free cookies and crackers are just a new, expensive junk food! 

If you really want to see how taking gluten out of your diet will affect your weight, you’re better off eating naturally gluten free foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and even rice and quinoa – eating both rice and quinoa in moderation. Remember, rice is still a carb and if you eat too much of it, you won’t lose any weight.

Now, if you’ve taken a food allergy test and found that you really have a gluten sensitivity or have been diagnosed with celiac disease (a digestive condition triggered by gluten), it is definitely necessary to get that gluten out of your diet. It can even be necessary to avoid gluten if a food allergy test came back negative, as most people may have some kind of sensitivity to gluten. And once you do eliminate gluten from your diet, you may notice that your waistline will shrink a little because one of the main symptoms of gluten intolerance is inflammation, which leads to weight gain. Other symptoms can include everything from depression, fatigue and moodiness to all sorts of autoimmune diseases and allergies like thyroiditis, arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

More recently, it was found that estrogen levels are generally lower in women with celiac disease and that women who go untreated (they keep eating foods with gluten in them) may go through menopause earlier than women without the disease.

I know it seems like it’s just another fad diet that we have to endure, but it’s much more than that. In fact, 99% of people who have a problem with eating gluten don’t even know it!

My advice: make an appointment to take a food allergy/sensitivity test or simply do an elimination diet. Eliminate gluten for 4 weeks and then add it back into your diet for two days. When added back to your diet, eat foods with gluten 2-3 times per day and watch for GI issues, joint pain, headaches, skin issues, energy disturbance and weight gain.

Below is a list of foods that contain gluten. You may be surprised at some of the foods gluten can be hiding:

• Breads, bagels
• Pasta, couscous
• Crackers, croutons
• Doughnuts, cookies, cakes
• Pudding
• Boxed soups
• Cold-cut meats, hot dogs, sausages
• Pickles
• Soy sauce
• Salad dressings
• Beer

The Real Cougar Woman is a 5-carat diamond who knows the importance of taking care of her health, beauty, relationships, finances and spirituality. Linda Franklin says,”there is no stopping a woman who has a strong belief system, passion and a dream. All things are possible”. Linda’s book, Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am helps women of all ages tap into their power and live life to the fullest.

 

 

Sex Drive Ramps Up With Healthy Food

Do you have fond memories of your 20s? Eating anything you wanted, not  needing to exercise to stay slim and always being up for sex whenever the occasion called for it?

Well most 20-something year olds could. However, as I mentioned in my previous blog, I lost my libido when I was only 28-years old. I thought it was only my stressful work life and being on birth control. But now I know that there were many other things that contributed to my lack of libido.

Everything you do affects your libido.

Military Makeovers – Fleet Week In New York City

The Real Cougar Woman  Military Makeover for  Fleet Week was an absolute love fest. The Patrick Melville Salon, our partner for this event, was charged with an electrifying energy everyone could feel.

From the moment they arrived, our ten combat cougars were given the royal treatment. They got haircuts, hair color, manicures, makeup and that was just the beginning. 

Stress And Sex Don’t Mix – Wondering What Happened To Your Spark?

While at the gym a few weeks ago, I was catching up with one of my fellow gym-cougars on the treadmill. She was telling me how she had just received a promotion, how her son made his high school basketball team and how her daughter was excited about getting into her first choice university…Duke! Life was really great.

Over the next few weeks, I noticed that her “life is great” smile was continually fading. She then confided in me that she and her husband were really great friends…but that was about it. They hadn’t been doing anything but sleeping in their bedroom for over 4 months now.