Healthy Monday

The Impact of Estrogen on the Brain According to the Alzheimer’s Association, women comprise two-thirds of the population suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. It is important to note that women live longer, and age is the single biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers think hormonal changes play a big role in this gender disparity.  The big question is, what does the main female hormone, estrogen, have to do with brain function??? It turns out a lot!...

In my mid-40s I was talking to a group of mom friends and the topic of vaginal rejuvenation surgery came up. None of us knew exactly what it was, but we all agreed on one thing: the name was really funny. First off, I love how the word “rejuvenation” is sandwiched between “vaginal” and “surgery”. Only a marketing professional could think of that. Plus, “rejuvenation” is an amusingly transparent attempt to cancel out images of a surgical knife or laser tools hovering near or in one’s crotch. Most women, however, are too savvy to be marketing-manipulated about the most private parts of their bodies. So the title just ends up making us laugh. That said, if you’re committed to positively marketing vagina-based surgery, “rejuvenation” is a fine choice. It makes the vaginal procedure sound like an all-around enhancement for any woman who’s feeling a little depleted and run down, crotch-wise or otherwise. (Italicized)--> Just hop into the office--walk-ins welcome--for a bit o’ vaggie surgery and you’ll feel like yourself again in no time! Several years after that mom’s night, I met with my gynecologist. We discussed perimenopausal symptoms and the upcoming Big M. She told me that after menopause the vagina starts “shrinking” and gets “harder.”...