That proverbial desert of midlife and beyond can now be treated with a lower dose of Vagifem, 10 mcg of bioidentical estradiol versus the previous dose of 25 mcg.  The loss of estrogen associated with menopause causes shrinking, thinning, and decreased lubrication of the vaginal walls.  This lower dose of Vagifem alleviates the dryness, pain with urination, and painful intercourse in most women as well as the higher dose by delivering a small amount of estrogen directly to the vagina via a small tablet inserted with an applicator.  Premarin Cream is NOT the same product, it is made with “conjugated estrogens” that are NOT identical to your natural estrogens.

Blueberries have a profound effect on your brain, whether in an all-natural, no-additive juice or a half-to-full cup of whole blueberries each day.  Test subjects showed improved memory function, reduced depressive symptoms, and better blood sugar control.

Frozen blueberries have the highest nutrition and so do frozen fish!  Your best catch is frozen wild Alaska Salmon, which can be moved in more carbon-friendly ways than fresh fish, which must be air-freighted.  Responsible fish farming, though, is the wave of the future, since wild fish of all stripes are getting into the “over-fishing” category. I always have trouble fitting in that second serving of fish each week, but recently discovered frozen Ocean Beauty Salmon Burgers.  Throw it on a whole wheat bun and get those omegas!  Preferred prep is messy pan frying, grilling may leave a fishy smell, but bake in your oven or toaster oven on a foil-covered pan and you’ve got no muss, no fuss moist fish!

Yes, you can get it “down there,” and women are three times as likely as men to die of it.  Melanoma doesn’t require sun exposure to grow; it can grow anywhere the skin has pigment, including where the sun don’t shine.  Have any bumps, pigmented lesions, itching, or sores that don’t heal checked out.   Get tested for HPV along with your Pap smear, since that common virus makes you more vulnerable, as does a previous melanoma anywhere or atypical moles.  Your doc is supposed to check while you’re in the stirrups at your annual, but it couldn’t hurt to ask “You check for vulvar cancer, right?”

Your friends may be going to the beach or on trips this summer, but you’ve been taking care of Mom and Dad – supervising meals, shopping, home repair, and doctor visits; handling bank accounts, taxes, complicated benefits, and medical bills; researching living arrangements, selling real estate, or cleaning out the homestead or storage space.  Maybe your siblings are sitting on their butts, maybe your seniors are making hurtful comments, saying crazy things or accusing you of stealing.  Bottom line – this sucks and (more…)