Is There A Link Between Stress And Early Menopause? Marla Ahlgrimm Answers

Marla AhlgrimmIt’s estimated that approximately 1% of women will experience menopause before they turn 40, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Is stress the culprit? Probably not.

Q: Can stress cause premature menopause?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There isn’t evidence to suggest that stress by itself can trigger early menopause. What we do know, however, is that the symptoms of stress and menopause often mimic each other. This can make you mistakenly believe that you are beyond your childbearing years.

Q: What are common symptoms of stress and menopause?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Anxiety, mood swings, waning libido, irritability, forgetfulness, and trouble sleeping are all common in both. However, stress can also cause a woman to miss her menstrual cycle, which is the top reason that women in their 40s who are experiencing extreme stress believe that they’ve begun menopause.

Q: Who is most at risk of early menopause?

Marla AhlgrimmMarla Ahlgrimm: There are several lifestyle factors and health conditions that can cause early menopause. These include smoking, cancer treatment, some autoimmune disorders, and surgeries. Further, women who eat a poor diet, drink often, and engage in other unhealthy lifestyle practices put themselves at risk of experiencing stress/menopause symptoms in their late 30s and 40s.

Q: What are the emotional effects of early menopause?

Marla Ahlgrimm: That depends on the woman. Some welcome “the change” with open arms. However, a woman in her late 30s or early 40s who still wishes to have children may feel as though their self-worth has taken a hit. As women delay having kids, the risk of infertility increases. In addition to not being able to have children, experiencing early menopause can make a woman feel older than she is. As a society, we tend to look at those post-menopausal women as less attractive than their child-bearing-aged counterparts. This can take a significant toll on a woman’s self-esteem as she learns to accept and transition into her “mature” years.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Postmenopausal Vaginal Complaints Linked with Other Pelvic Problems

Marla AhlgrimmIn this brief Q&A session, Marla Ahlgrimm discusses vulvovaginal troubles and touches on the alarming trend of postmenopausal women forgoing care.

Q: What types of vaginal issues are common after menopause?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Dryness and irritation are two of the most reported. However, these seem to go hand in hand with other pelvic issues, including vaginal discharge and odor.

Q: Do symptoms such as these impact women’s lives?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes! A recent research project jointly conducted by Yale, Dartmouth, and the Connecticut Healthcare System found that over three quarters of the study’s sexually active participants acknowledged vaginal issues as having a negative effect on their sex lives. One third mentioned an overall impact on their lifestyle.

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Marla Ahlgrimm Offers Tips & Techniques for Better Breast Health

Marla AhlgrimmAs an experienced women’s health professional, Marla Ahlgrimm has studied breast health and its impact on the lives of women worldwide. According to this leading voice in women’s health, skin changes like dimples, redness, puckers or scales in the breasts may indicate a more significant problem. By offering suggestions about diet and exercise routines, Ahlgrimm hopes to prevent women from receiving a breast cancer diagnosis.

Q: How can women improve their overall health and reduce their odds of a breast cancer diagnosis?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A number of recent medical studies have advised both men and women to reduce their intake of red meat. A diet consisting of meats such as hamburgers and steaks may promote cancer cell growth. Instead, people of all ages should try to incorporate more plant-based foods into their daily routines.

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Author and Pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm Discusses PMS, an Unforgiving Companion

Marla AhlgrimmPremenstrual syndrome, or PMS, affects nearly half of all women of childbearing age, according to pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm. Its symptoms are different for each sufferer and can range from irritability and severe mood swings to migraines and seizures in those women most adversely affected by PMS.

Common symptoms of PMS

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that, although PMS is associated with over 150 symptoms, most women tend to report a combination of two or more of the following:

  • Anxiety
  • Water retention
  • Forgetfulness
  • Bloating
  • Breast tenderness
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Cravings for carbohydrates/sweets (especially chocolate)
  • Back pain
  • Depression/uncontrollable crying
  • Irritability
  • Headache
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Acne

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Marla Ahlgrimm, PMS expert, Explains the Three-Hour Complex Carbohydrate Diet

Marla AhlgrimmWomen with PMS should eat six complex carbohydrate snacks a day to better manage the symptoms of PMS, says Marla Ahlgrimm.

Proper nutrition is vital to a healthy body, says pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm. This is especially true of women who suffer from PMS. According to Ahlgrimm, studies conducted since the 1950s have linked low blood sugar to many symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Low blood glucose levels trigger the body to release adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone. When adrenaline is flowing through the blood, the body cannot metabolize other hormones – like progesterone – properly. Adrenaline, says Marla Ahlgrimm, also perpetuates feelings of aggression, panic, and tension – all outward symptoms of PMS.

Additionally, Marla Ahlgrimm explains that low blood sugar causes the body’s cells to eject any sugar that it may be storing, in order to compensate. Empty cells are flooded with water which can cause bloating, water retention, and weight gain.

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Increased Estrogen May Lower Risk of Parkinson’s Disease In Women, Says Marla Ahlgrimm, RPh

Marla AhlgrimmAccording to Women’s Health America founder and pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm, women who pass through menopause naturally may be up to 50% less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than those who experience unnatural estrogen reduction.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s is a neurologic disorder that affects the way a person moves. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, many people present mild symptoms at onset which may include slight hand tremors or slurred, soft speech. As the disease progresses, total body movement can be affected, including a person’s ability to perform automatic functions. Marla Ahlgrimm defines automatic functions as those the body performs without intention, like blinking. It is believed that Parkinson’s is caused by brain cell degeneration.

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