Just schpritz it on and the hot flashes are gone – Evamist is natural estradiol spray for the forearm that’s the new “low” in “use the lowest dose to get symptom relief.”  And it has all the advantages of transdermal application – more natural distribution, fewer risks of clot – without the residue of a patch.  Moderate to severe hot flashes just say buh-bye!  Ask your doctor.

Talk about multitasking!  Make your book club a walking book club!  Instead of loading up on treats, you’ll be stimulating your social and mental sides while getting some exercise.  Of course, outdoors would be best, but walking and talking in the mall on nasty days would work too.  With this economy, you won’t be fighting any crowds.  This might also cut down on the person who talks too much – speed up to talk to the two ladies in front and leave her in the dust.  Periodic stops at benches could catch everyone up if the group has splintered.

So listen carefully!  Watch for Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort; vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion; frequency or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection; unexplained weight gain or weight loss; pelvic or abdominal swelling, bloating or feeling of fullness; ongoing unusual fatigue; or unexplained changes in bowel habits. Ok, I know these are the kind of crappy things we feel all the time, but if you check off 5 of 8 symptoms, inquire at your annual gyn or doctor visit.  If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask your doctor for a combination pelvic / rectal exam, CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.  A Pap Test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer.

A large study sponsored by the French government found that women taking oral estrogens (like Premarin or Prempro) were four times more likely to have a blood clot than women using estrogen in a transdermal gel or patch delivery.  In fact, the women using estradiol gel or patches had no more blood clots than women using no hormones at all (placebo group).  Used successfully by 70% of postmenopausal women in Europe for 30 years, American women now have (more…)

Before you get in line for the Prius, buy a good-mileage used car – the carbon debt is already paid, and you have to drive the Prius for 46,000 miles before you get back to zero on that “carbon cost of creation” for any new car.  Today’s cars are designed to last until well over 100,000 miles, so get that voice of your parents – “A used car is someone else’s problem” – out of your head.  It’s just not true!  You’re ahead by upwards of $8 thou if you buy a used car (more…)