It’s that time of year again. Trees are blooming, grass is sprouting from the ground, and allergies are making their return after the long, cold winter. Keep reading as Marla Ahlgrimm talks about seasonal and other allergies.

Q: Why do some people have allergic reactions to different stimuli?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The quick answer is that your body is trying to fight off what it considers a foreign invader. Once the substance, which could be anything from pollen to mold or pet dander, enters a sensitive person’s body, chemicals called histamines are triggered. Histamines can cause cold-like symptoms, or they can affect the skin with hives or eczema. [Read more…]

Diabetes is unfortunately common among men and women alike. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that diabetes-related complications are more prevalent among women.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women with diabetes experience urinary tract infections more often than those without. Those with especially high blood sugar are at an even greater risk of UTIs. She says that keeping your blood sugar within target range (your healthcare provider can help you determine this) is the best way to reduce urinary tract infections. This, coupled with wearing cotton underwear and eliminating your bladder when you need to, will go a long way toward helping you enjoy urinary comfort.

Women with diabetes can also have heavier periods. Diabetes can even make PMS harder to deal with, and those cravings you experience right before your cycle begins may be exacerbated when you have diabetes. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women who use insulin may wish to speak with their doctors about upping their dose in the days before bleeding begins.

Another unfortunate side-effect of diabetes for women is a lack of desire to engage in sexual activity, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This is because diabetes can reduce vaginal moisture, which can make sex uncomfortable. This is another area that your physician can help with, and they may suggest over-the-counter lubricants or exercises that can enhance and elevate the sexual response.

Marla Ahlgrimm further explains that diabetes can get in the way of a healthy pregnancy. Women with diabetes need to plan ahead and maintain close contact with their OB/GYN throughout gestation. Women with diabetes are prone to high blood pressure and the need for cesarean section. Further, an excess of sugar in the blood can result in birth defects, including breathing problems and excess body weight. Some women experience gestational diabetes, which can morph into type II diabetes if left unchecked.

Women tend to report more allergies than men, especially each year as spring approaches. Marla Ahlgrimm says that there might be a reason for this, and that reason might be hormones.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it’s currently theorized that the female hormone estrogen might play a role in anaphylaxis-level allergies. Although studies have not been performed on humans, those done on mice found that anaphylactic reactions were more common in female mice. This hormonal interaction might explain why more women than men are hospitalized for allergies each year.

The idea that hormones are to blame is underscored by the fact that women tend to report more allergic reactions during certain times of their menstrual cycle. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that women who are pregnant and going through puberty during adolescence also report more contact and airborne allergies.

Another possible reason for the higher rates of women being treated for allergies is that we simply report them more often. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women tend to be less skittish about talking to their doctors about nuisances than men, who may feel as though they look weak or emasculated by admitting something as simple as an allergy is bothering them.

Marla Ahlgrimm also acknowledges that sudden severe food allergies are increasing, and that adults over the age of 40 may be at a greater risk. Approximately 26 million Americans have severe food allergies, and many of these did not develop until mid-adulthood.

If you suffer from any type of allergy, Marla Ahlgrimm says that having a good relationship with your healthcare provider and pharmacy staff is crucial. These professionals can help you steer clear of major consequences of a severe contact or ingestion allergy. While no single treatment is right for everyone, your team can put together a plan to keep you safe, no matter the season.

As we get older, changing hormones can affect the way we look. Many women choose to take on a new skin care routine to offset some of the effects of age. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, retinol is one addition to your skincare arsenal that might be worth a second look.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, retinol is an over-the-counter version of prescription retinoids. Although they are not as powerful, they do have many potential skincare uses. Retinol is made from vitamin A and can penetrate the outer layers of the skin to boost collagen production. Once collagen begins to form, your face may look a bit more plump, which can reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Sometimes, retinol is used to treat acne in pubescent teenagers.

While retinol is considered safe, Marla Ahlgrimm says there are some side effects to be on the lookout for. Women who use retinol, especially for the first time, may experience excessively dry skin, redness, and itching. To offset these, you can use a moisturizer or gentle exfoliation cream. Your skin can build up a tolerance to the drying effect of retinol by starting your retinol routine once each week and eventually working your way up to adding it to your nightly regimen.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that sun exposure can exacerbate the drying effect of retinol creams and serums. She suggests that anybody using retinol pay careful attention to their time in the sun and always use SPF 15 or better when going outside. Without sun protection, you are putting yourself at risk of wrinkles, age spots, and skin discoloration, all issues you may be using retinol for in the first place.

Anytime you plan to use a new skin care product, test it first. You can get retinol from your local pharmacy or beauty shop, but your dermatologist may also recommend prescription retinoids and other beauty enhancements, such as hyaluronic acid or dermabrasion.

Just a few years ago, most people thought that CBD was just a passing fad. But, as the use of this cannabis-derived compound has become legal in all 50 states, healthcare advocates, researchers, and providers believe it’s here to stay. Keep reading as women’s healthcare author and hormone compounding pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm (retired), shares a few facts about CBD.

Q: What is CBD?

Marla Ahlgrimm: CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBVD does not induce intoxication.

Q: How do CBD and THC affect the body differently?

Marla Ahlgrimm: THC binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD stimulates them. The difference is quite important as binding produces the “high” many people report when smoking or consuming THC-rich products. Stimulation of these nerve receptors may have a positive effect on some individuals. For example, some studies have found that activating/stimulating CB2 receptors can help the brain purge certain types of protein that forms plaque on the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Q: Is CBD safe?

Marla Ahlgrimm: CBD is largely considered safe, and the World Health Organization explains that it is tolerable by the vast majority of humans. Further, the FDA has approved CBD for use in certain clinical treatments as part of the therapeutic regimen for seizure disorders. Of course, anyone considering adding CBD as a supplement to their daily routine should contact their healthcare provider for personalized insight.

Q: How does CBD help with seizures?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It all comes back to the same nerve receptors that CBD activates. Just as importantly, John Hopkins University explains that some people who take CBD may be able to better tolerate their seizure medication. A study by the University also found that some individuals who took CBD while taking seizure disorder medication also had lower instances of depression and anxiety.

If you’re coming up on your 50th birthday and have started to feel fatigued, there’s a chance that you might be experiencing an early effect of menopause. According to women’s care expert and self-help author Marla Ahlgrimm, menopause can bring on a persistent feeling of exhaustion. Fortunately, she says it’s manageable.

Q: Why does menopause trigger fatigue?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are many different reasons that women experiencing menopause may feel more tired than usual. The first is a change of hormones. Progesterone, estrogen, adrenal hormones, and thyroid hormones all change during menopause. Further, sleep disruptions, which might be caused by night sweats and hot flashes, make it harder for a woman to sleep through the night.

Q: How does exercise offset fatigue?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Physical activity gives your body a boost of energy. Even if you are extremely fatigued, an hours’ worth of mild to moderate exercise will inject hormones into your brain, which can make you feel more energetic and revitalized. Perhaps more importantly, regular exercise can combat the mood swings associated with menopause and might offset weight gain triggered by an increased appetite.

Q: Can hormone replacement therapy help?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It can, yes. When combined with behavioral and lifestyle changes, HRT can help you manage exhaustion and other symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

Q: Can I stop menopause from happening?

Marla Ahlgrimm: No. Menopause is a natural occurrence in every woman’s life. It is when our bodies decide naturally that they are no longer capable of healthy reproduction. You can’t stop the process, but you can limit the impact of its symptoms while you’re going through it.