Marla Ahlgrimm has pioneered advances in women’s health that have been life changing for thousands suffering from the symptoms of menopause. Over the years, Marla Ahlgrimm has seen products come and go, as the promise of easing menopause symptoms has been disproven. Alongside the latest and greatest products come far-flung tales of how certain natural foods and extracts virtually eliminate menopausal symptoms. In this Q&A, Marla Ahlgrimm separates fact from fiction in menopausal treatment options.

Q: What are the major symptoms of menopause?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women frequently suffer from hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness.

Q: What causes these symptoms?

Marla Ahlgrimm: During menopause, women undergo huge shifts in hormone levels in the body. When hormone levels are imbalanced, the body is affected.

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Marla Ahlgrimm, pharmacist and women’s health expert, encourages women to fully understand what is called a “lipid profile.” This routine blood test is most often used to test cholesterol levels, but also contains some important information that women often miss, says Marla Ahlgrimm. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, understanding triglycerides and how levels in the body can affect women’s health is essential. In the following Q&A, Marla Ahlgrimm provides an overview of triglycerides.

Q: What are triglycerides?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. They provide the body with energy and also store fat.

Q: How are triglyceride levels tested?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Triglycerides are tested at the same time a blood test is done for measuring cholesterol levels. To determine cholesterol levels, good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides are all used in the calculation.

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According to Madison, Wisconsin based women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, one of the causes of changes in the breasts as a woman ages is a natural decline of the female reproductive hormone estrogen. This decline of estrogen causes the skin to become to become less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness, shape, size, and fullness, and develop a saggy and stretched appearance. In fact, it is not uncommon for an older woman to have changes in her cup size due to these physical changes, reports Marla Ahlgrimm.

Common changes that occur in the breast due to age include nipple displacement, stretch marks, an elongated, stretched, or flattened appearance, wider space between the breasts, or lumpiness, which may be due to fibrocystic changes in the breast or serious conditions such as breast cancer.

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Since 2012, the Affordable Care Act has expanded access to preventive care for women. Through this legislation, women have been provided wellness checks and preventive screenings at no out-of-pocket cost, reports women’s health expert and pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm.  Women no longer have to forego possible early detection of problems such as cervical cysts or cervical cancer because of high co-payments.

Preventive screenings include pap smears, mammograms, and contraceptives. All of the FDA-approved methods of contraception are paid for and included in a health plan. Coverage also includes screenings for sexually transmitted diseases. Identifying HPV – the most common sexually transmitted infection – early on not only decreases a woman’s risk of developing cervical cancer but also reduces the cost of medical treatment significantly later on.

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There’s no question that exercise is good for our physical and mental health, says pharmacist and women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm. Experts also tell us that exercise is good for treating many conditions, such as obesity and arthritis, to name a few. Now we can add breast cancer to the list.  Scientists have discovered that exercise alters the way estrogen is metabolized. Because estrogen drives most breast cancers, research suggests that routine physical activity may lower the risk of breast cancer.

Here’s how it works. During exercise, more blood gets pumped to the liver where your body detoxifies many things, including excess estrogen. This is an important step because too much estrogen tends to cause breast cells to divide too quickly, says Marla Ahlgrimm. When breast cells are dividing too fast, they make more genetic mistakes which can lead to cancer.

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For many women, a gynecologist is one of their most important personal health connections, says women’s health expert, Marla Ahlgrimm. An annual exam that may include counseling, evaluation, breast exam and cancer screenings is highly recommended for women of all ages.

There are numerous life events that can cause a woman to seek out a new gynecologist. Doctors retire. Insurance carriers change benefits. New jobs present different coverage. Whatever the reason, this research process can be awkward and tricky. How does a woman start the process of finding the right physician?

Most women value the bedside manner of their GYN above all else, shares  pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm. While all doctors should be compassionate and respectful, those important qualities are particularly crucial for professionals working in such a sensitive specialty. Expect a gynecologist to consider your concerns and questions, listen well, explain actions and offer advice clearly and calmly.

Credentials

Finding the right GYN begins with an extensive research process.  The chosen physician must possess strong listening skills while treating patients with the ultimate respect and compassion. Before embarking on this extensive search, Marla Ahlgrimm recommends that women pay close attention to the expertise, experience and education of the doctor.

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