With diminishing estrogen, or rather, the roller coaster of its erratic, fluctuating levels during perimenopause, anything can happen, and not just to the targeted female organs. Changing menstrual patterns and flows are expected, but the most common complaints are hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and mood changes, the latter referring to depression (new, reappearance, or […]
THE RIGHT STUFF: Choosing Vaginal Lubricants & Moisturizers
Experiencing hot flashes during the menopause transition is bad enough, but coincidental vaginal dryness removes the spontaneity from sex, predisposes to urinary issues, causes vaginal itching, and, for some, makes it uncomfortable to sit on our fannies. As estrogen diminishes during perimenopause, the vaginal lining thins, and its walls lose their folds. These changes were […]
PUT OUT THE FIRE: Extinguishing Hot Flashes
Have you noticed certain foods seem to be linked to hot flashes? Of course, you have. Round up the usual suspects—red wine, liquor, spicy foods. Do you also wonder if there are foods that might tame those devilish hot flashes instead? There are, but it’s not common knowledge. While you avoid the above hot flash […]
Hearty Italian Fish Chowder
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for December 2024 has a festive feel despite its simple preparation. It is especially good when your fish market sells mix of fish ends or if you’ve found fish lingering in the freezer a bit long. You can substitute canned clams for a red clam chowder instead. According to TCM, […]
HOT FLASHES! What the Hell Can I Do?
When I say hot flashes are my passion, there is no affection, only an ardent desire to help those who are plagued deal with this misery. For many, they are the object of humor, but for those so afflicted, they are hell. During the menopause transition, almost 80% of women experience some mix of hot […]
MASHED TURNIPS
Serves 4 The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for November is Mashed Turnips, a good substitute for mashed potatoes. They can be made ahead of time and refrigerated without a change in flavor like potatoes. Turnips (AKA rutabagas) keep in the back of the fridge for weeks, so I keep them there for when I […]
WILD RICE PILAF
The Hot Flash DietTM recipe for October is an easy-to-prepare side dish that goes well with roast poultry. For a fancy supper, I pair this wild rice dish the pre-cooked duck halves available from Costco that reheat in the oven for under 20 minutes–elegant and simple. According to Chinese Medicine thermal properties, wild rice is […]
MENOPAUSE AWARENESS DAY
Today is Menopause Awareness Day. We all know the word, but what is menopause really? Unlike for puberty, very little information is provided by mothers, doctors, or schools to prepare a woman for “the change” or menopause transition. So, read further for some quick facts and a link to a legitimate internet site for more […]