The dangers of smoking are widely known, and the long-term effects of vaping are still being learned. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says that it’s crucial to understand the risks that these bad habits pose to women’s health specifically. Today, the retired author and women’s health expert shares the consequences of these nicotine-infused products on women’s health beyond respiratory distress.

What is the most significant way that smoking affects a woman’s health?

Marla Ahlgrimm: When we’re referring specifically to women, smoking drastically affects a woman’s reproductive system. Smoking has been consistently linked to a higher risk of infertility as it can damage the ovaries, deplete egg reserves, and disrupt hormone production.

Can women who smoke conceive?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Yes, of course. Unfortunately, they are at a higher risk of ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths, and premature births. Studies have shown that babies born to women who smoke may be at a higher risk of lower birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome.

How is smoking related to cervical cancer?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Some studies have shown a correlation between smoking and an increased risk of cervical cancer. This is most likely due to the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke that interfere with the body’s ability to clear HPV, a virus that can cause cervical cancer.

[Read more…]

Sex—it’s something we all do and need to maintain a healthy romantic relationship. However, sometime around menopause, many women find that their sex lives are significantly impacted in a negative way. But why? Today, retired HRT compounding pharmacist and women’s health and hormone expert Marla Ahlgrimm uncovers a few answers to common questions about life under the sheets during menopause.

Q: I have always had an active and enjoyable sex life. But lately, I don’t feel the drive as often. What gives?

Marla Ahlgrimm: If you’re over 40, you may be experiencing an estrogen decrease brought on by your changing hormones. Unfortunately, lower levels of this vital female sex hormone can lower your libido and even result in vaginal dryness, which makes it that much harder to want to engage sexually.

Q: Is it normal to have less intense orgasms as I get older?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It is absolutely normal. It’s also normal for it to take longer to become aroused. Physical and hormonal changes can affect how sensitive you are “down there.”

Q: I don’t feel as attractive as I get older, and I don’t think that my partner is as attracted to me. How can I regain my confidence?

Marla Ahlgrimm: First, you have to understand that our looks change and what we consider traditional beauty may fade. That does not mean that you are not beautiful, and that does not mean that you are not desirable. In all honesty, your partner probably finds you just as (or more) attractive now as they ever have. Remember, the changes that you’re going through are all a natural part of life. And while you may not have the body, skin, or hair you had in your 20s, you have experience and are more in tune with your body than you ever could have been at the beginning of your reproductive years.

Q: How do my emotions affect my sexual satisfaction and desire?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women going through menopause have many emotional changes. You may experience anxiety, depression, or general stress more than you ever have. Each of these can reduce your sexual desire and satisfaction levels.

Q: Is it possible to overcome menopause-induced sexual dysfunction?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Just because you have a lower libido does not mean that you have sexual dysfunction. But, yes, it’s possible to get over many of the hurdles that cause sexual complications in our later years. Estrogen therapy is one option. A vaginal cream or tablet may help alleviate vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy can also help improve your libido, and pelvic floor therapy may improve blood flow to help restore some sensation. Lifestyle changes, such as watching your stress levels and exercising, can also help you feel better about yourself.

Q: How can I talk to my partner about how I’m feeling?

Marla Ahlgrimm: This is one area where honesty really is the best policy. Let them know that you don’t feel as attractive or desirable. Help them understand ways they can make you feel more comfortable when it’s time to get intimate with them. Think about ways that you can become closer to one another outside of the bedroom so that your desire begins to build up long before the lights go out.

Are you struggling with sexual desire during menopause? Marla Ahlgrimm says you are not alone. Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor or primary health care provider and don’t give up on having a happy and healthy sex life after menopause.

Collagen is more than just a trendy buzzword. It’s a legitimate supplement that has become increasingly popular, especially among women. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, drinking collagen may have some benefits to women’s health.

Skin Health

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that collagen plays a major role in skin elasticity and hydration. Supplementing your body’s natural stores of collagen may help reduce wrinkles and improve skin moisture and texture. Some studies have also shown that collagen peptides are beneficial in these areas and more.

Joint Health

Collagen is present throughout our bodies, including in the cartilage between our bones. As our joints become worn with age, our collagen stores deplete. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that taking collagen supplements may work to relieve joint pain and improve joint function. Improving cartilage may be particularly beneficial for women with osteoarthritis.

Bone Health

While arthritis tends to affect the joints, the bones also take a hit in women who are “of a certain age.” Marla Ahlgrimm says that taking a collagen supplement, whether it is a drink or other form, can also help contribute to bone strength. There is supporting research to suggest that collagen may increase bone mineral density. Women going through menopause, and those at risk of osteoporosis, may wish to consider drinking a collagen supplement to help reduce bone loss.

Hair and Nails

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that collagen can also be used as a beauty enhancement. By improving hair thickness and nail strength, some women may improve their self-esteem and reduce their reliance on sprays, polishes, and other beauty products.

Other Potential Benefits

Although more research is needed, Marla Ahlgrimm asserts that collagen may also be a useful supplement in improving muscle mass, gut health, and heart health. It is important to note, however, that these potential benefits must be discussed with your primary healthcare provider and weighed against any potential side effects.

Important Considerations

While collagen is readily available, Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that you can’t just hop online and order the first product you see. She explains that it’s important to know the differences in the types of collagen available. Type I, for example, tends to have the most benefits to nails, hair, and skin. Type II works best when your goal is to support bone or joint health.

Marla Ahlgrimm also explained that you have to choose a high-quality supplement from a reputable brand. While collagen is typically considered safe, it’s prudent to know where your products come from and whether or not they’ve been tested and manufactured under strict quality and health conditions.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that adding a collagen supplement to your diet is typically considered safe for most healthy adult women. However, she stresses that the quality of the product you choose is crucial. If you are thinking about adding any type of supplement to your diet, Marla Ahlgrimm further recommends reaching out to your primary healthcare provider for guidance.

Pain is a universal human experience but the perception of pain varies significantly between individuals, particularly between men and women. Women’s health expert and author Marla Ahlgrimm explains that this difference impacts how women are treated by their healthcare providers.

Research suggests that women experience pain differently than men, and their bodies process both pain and pain medication uniquely. While Marla Ahlgrimm believes more research is needed, she emphasizes the importance of treating women differently than their male counterparts regarding pain management.

As a retired pharmacist and women’s health advocate, Marla Ahlgrimm stresses recognizing gender-based differences in all areas of women’s health. Women are not simply small men, she states. Their fluctuating hormones, body composition, and even social experiences influence how they experience pain, and how their minds and bodies respond to pain medication.

Several factors contribute to how pain medication affects women differently, including hormonal influence, body composition, metabolic differences, pain sensitivity, and social and psychological factors.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that women’s fluctuating hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone, play a significant role in pain perception and sensitivity. These and other hormones influence how the body processes pain signals and responds to pain medication.

Body composition is another key factor. Women generally have a higher percentage of body fat than men of the same age and comparable size. This fat distribution can lead to higher concentrations of pain medication in the bloodstream. Furthermore, a woman’s metabolic rate (how her body processes and eliminates pain medication) influences the duration and intensity of a medication’s effect.

Studies suggest that women have a lower pain threshold and a higher pain tolerance compared to men, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This means women may perceive pain more intensely but can endure it for longer periods. This might explain why women can handle the pain of childbirth, while men often struggle with even simulated childbirth pain.

Marla Ahlgrimm also points to social and psychological influences that may affect how a woman’s body perceives pain. Women tend to be more susceptible to conditions like migraines and fibromyalgia, and may develop coping mechanisms for pain more readily than men.

Marla Ahlgrimm acknowledges that pain is ultimately subjective. There is no definitive test to prove that women and men experience pain differently. However, evidence, even anecdotal, suggests that women’s hormones and body composition can and do play a role in pain perception.

Marla Ahlgrimm advises those concerned about chronic pain or pain management to consult their primary healthcare physician. With proper treatment and a supervised pain regimen, women can often find relief.

Each year, millions of Americans make resolutions to change bad behaviors come the new year. Unfortunately, many of these have been long since forgotten by Valentine’s Day. Today, Marla Ahlgrimm offers a few quick tips on how to set goals you’ll actually want to achieve.

It Starts With Reflection

Marla Ahlgrimm says that the first step in creating a set of goals that you’ll accomplish is to reflect on the past year. Did you face any specific challenges? Did you learn any lessons? Were there any unresolved issues that you don’t want to carry around with you in 2025?

Identify Your Values

Next up is identifying what’s important to you. Do you want to create goals that center around your family? Work? Your appearance? Or the way you present yourself? Make a list of your top five priorities. Marla Ahlgrimm says you can then set goals based on these.

Be Specific

Marla Ahlgrimm says the only way to actually set a goal is to be specific in what you would like to accomplish. Don’t say that you want to lose weight. Instead, say that you would like to drop 5 pounds by X date and then list out how you plan to do so. This might be eliminating excess sugar from your diet or working out more often.

Make It Measurable

Measurability is the best way to determine whether you’re on the right track to achieving any goal you set. Using the weight loss goal above, it’s easy to see how measuring pounds lost is a great way to see how far into achieving your goal you are. You can also apply measurability to other goals, says Marla Ahlgrimm. For example, if you wish to read more, list out the books you’d like to complete and mark off your progress on each.

Assess Achievability

Now it’s time to look back on your goals and make sure that they are achievable in the timeframe you set forth. You might not, for example, achieve the goal of losing 50 pounds by February without putting your health at risk. Marla Ahlgrimm says that this is a great example of a time to work with a healthcare professional to determine a plan that works for you and your unique body composition.

Get To Planning

Your goals are sets, and you know that they are achievable. Now it’s time to plan out exactly how you’ll accomplish all of the things you wish to do in the coming year. You do not have to map out every single moment of your time, but you should have a general guide that helps you stay on track and overcome obstacles.

Celebrate Success

Marla Ahlgrimm says one of the best ways to stay motivated is to celebrate your successes.This does not have to be the achievement of a goal, but you can reward yourself for making progress. Something small, such as a quick trip to the spa or an afternoon off work to do nothing are great ways to mark your milestones and increase your motivation.

New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be lost. Marla Ahlgrimm says that the tips above can help you set and achieve your goals, no matter what part of your life is affected.

Sometimes in late adolescence, most of us go through puberty. However, Marla Ahlgrimm says that there are some young women who fail to physically mature.

The term “absent puberty” refers to a condition where the physical changes associated with puberty, including breast development, menstruation, and pubic hair formation, don’t begin naturally. Marla Ahlgrimm says there are many reasons this might happen. This includes hormonal imbalances, genetic disorders, chronic illnesses, and certain medications.

What Happens If a Woman Does Not Go Through Puberty?

If a woman does not go through puberty, Marla Ahlgrimm says it has several significant physical and psychological consequences.

Physically, without puberty, a woman won’t experience typical changes, such as breast development or widening of the hips. She likely also won’t grow underarm or pubic hair. Marla Ahlgrimm also notes that absent puberty also means a lack of menstruation, which is a key reproductive function. This, sadly, can lead to infertility. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women who don’t go through puberty will be unable to conceive naturally.

Marla Ahlgrimm also notes that puberty is crucial for bone growth and development. Without physical maturity, a woman may have a shorter stature and weaker bones.

From a psychological standpoint, the lack of physical changes associated with puberty can lead to body image issues. Marla Ahlgrimm says that smaller breasts and a less feminine physique can also lead women to feeling inadequate physically when compared to their same-age peers. Social difficulties and emotional distress are also common in women who don’t go through puberty. Marla Ahlgrimm says not fitting the physical development mold of other girls can lead to social isolation and difficulty forming meaningful relationships.

What Causes Absent Puberty?

As previously mentioned, there are several reasons that a woman may not achieve puberty. Marla Ahlgrimm says the first is a hormonal imbalance. Issues with the hypothalamus, ovaries, or pituitary gland can interfere with the signals that trigger puberty. There are also a few, albeit rare, genetic disorders that can delay or halt puberty. These include Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and Kallmann syndrome.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that medications for chemotherapy and also malnutrition can disrupt hormone balance and delay puberty.

If you or someone you know is experiencing delayed or absent puberty, Marla Ahlgrimm says that it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. In many cases, Marla Ahlgrimm says that early diagnosis and intervention treatments can help and ensure normal physical and emotional development.