Hormones are tiny chemical messengers that tell your body what to do. But, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, your hormones can hit roadblocks. One of these is when you do not get enough sleep. Not getting enough (or getting too much) can change the way your body produces hormones. This can affect everything.

Q: What do hormones control?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Your hormones play a major role in the vast majority of your bodily functions. They regulate your circadian rhythm, blood pressure, and heart rate. Hormones also drive your sexual function and even your appetite.

Q: What hormones does sleep deprivation affect?

Marla Ahlgrimm: When you sleep, your body regulates many hormones. If you do not get at least seven hours each night, you may experience issues with cortisol, progesterone, ghrelin, thyroid and growth hormones, and melatonin. Virtually every hormone in your body is signaled by your circadian rhythm.

Q: What are the potential side-effects of hormone deficiency caused by sleep deprivation?

Marla Ahlgrimm: People who do not get enough sleep may experience weight gain and frequent infections. They are also at a higher risk of illnesses and may consume more calories than necessary at one sitting.

Q: How can I make up for my sleep deficit?

Marla Ahlgrimm: If you’re getting at least six hours each night during the week, you may be able to give yourself up to 10 additional hours on the weekend. However, if you’re only sleeping four hours each night, the chances of being able to “make it up” are little to none. Your best bet is to go to bed on time each night so that you wake refreshed and ready to tackle the day every day. Your hormones will thank you for it.

It’s not always easy being a woman, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The changes that affect our body as we age can throw us into a physical and emotional tizzy. But, if you know what to expect, you can take steps to mitigate changes that might make life uncomfortable in your 30s, 40s, and beyond. Keep reading for a few bits of insight into what might be coming down the road (when you’re still in your 20s).

Weight gain

It is not uncommon for women – and men, too – to experience weight gain starting sometime around their mid-30s. Fortunately, this tends to taper off around the age of 55. Women tend to gain the most weight around their stomach and thighs, but there are ways to offset unnecessary pounds. Marla Ahlgrimm says that eating a healthy diet, which includes fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, and exercising can all help women watch their weight, no matter their age.

The heart

Estrogen is thought to increase arterial wall flexibility. Marla Ahlgrimm says that healthy estrogen levels during the woman’s childbearing years may also reduce bad cholesterol. However, at around the age of menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen, and that can put their hearts at risk. She says that women should keep a close watch on their family history and consult with their healthcare provider if things don’t feel “right.”

Breasts

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, breasts change throughout a woman’s lifetime, from the moment they appear until well after menopause. Women in their 40s and 50s can expect some volume loss, but, more importantly, the chances of developing breast cancer increase with each year. Marla Ahlgrimm says that you cannot always prevent breast cancer, but smoking reduces your risk by 80% or more.

Skin

Our skin changes at around the age of 50. Marla Ahlgrimm says that hormones are to blame here, and reduction in female sex hormones can lead to thinner and less elastic skin. She explains that retinol creams and staying out of the sun can help skin stay healthy for as long as possible.

In July 2021, TikTok user Dave Ramirez started a new trend. What was it? Eating frozen honey. However, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, while Ramirez said the sweet treat was refreshing, others have experienced something much different.

Q:  What are the side-effects of eating frozen honey?

Marla Ahlgrimm: In a very small quantity, less than 4 tablespoons, most people will experience zero side-effects from eating frozen honey. But, much over that, the sugar content in the honey can cause a sugar spike. This can quickly result in a crash, which can leave you feeling weak, hungry, and with heart palpitations.

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We have all experienced acne at some point in our lives, says women’s health expert, author, and hormone Specialist Marla Ahlgrimm. However, while a break out every now and then typically doesn’t do more than inconvenience date night, some women experience acne to the point where it affects their mental health. Read more below.

Q: What causes acne?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are many different reasons why a person may experience an acne outbreak. Typically, hair follicles become clogged and a rise in certain hormones, such as androgen, are the main causes. Pores can become filled with dead skin, oil, and even dirt, which can cause the face, neck, chest, arms, and back to be covered in red, swollen acne.

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Every year, it’s the same. Some of us get attacked by mosquitoes nonstop while our friends and family remain blissfully unaffected. But, the question remains: how do mosquitoes choose who to make a snack on? Is it women? Men? Marla Ahlgrimm answers below.

Q: Are mosquitoes more attracted to men or women?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Typically, mosquitoes are attracted to men and women equally. However, women who are pregnant are actually at an increased risk of being bitten by the tiny bloodsuckers. Science has yet to come up with a definitive reason for this, but it’s likely that it has something to do with elevated carbon dioxide levels output by women carrying a child.

Q: Why do mosquitoes target larger people versus smaller people?

Marla Ahlgrimm: This comes back to carbon dioxide, too. Larger people, such as men, output more carbon dioxide than their smaller female counterparts. A similarly-sized pair of opposite sex people, however, may find that the woman is bitten more often. This is because she likely shaves her legs and has less body hair, meaning there is more exposed skin for the mosquito to land on.

Q: Which mosquitoes bite?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Mosquitoes don’t actually bite. What they do is insert a small needlelike extension into the skin of their target prey. Female mosquitoes are the only ones that do this. Females are typically bigger than their male mates, and they live longer as well.

Q: How can I avoid mosquito bites?

Marla Ahlgrimm: You may not be able to completely avoid mosquito bites altogether. However, it’s possible to reduce the number of times you get fed upon by wearing long sleeve shirts and pants. You can also keep mosquitoes out of your yard by contacting your local pest control service and getting rid of any stagnant water that you have laying around.

Men and women are pretty evenly matched in many ways, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Intelligence is one of these. However, our brains are not necessarily alike, and they are designed to do different things.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, the male brain is approximately 10% larger than the typical females. However, size doesn’t mean that men are smarter. One area where size does play a role in a specific ability is the inferior-parietal lobule, which is larger in men. This is associated with greater mathematical and speed judgment processing abilities.

Women, on the other hand, have more gray matter when compared to men of the same age. This holds cells that help the body process sensory perception and muscle control. Interestingly, Marla Ahlgrimm says that women’s gray matter decreases during gestation. This is a scientific explanation for what all pregnant and formerly pregnant women know as “pregnancy brain.”

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