An early 2017 study published by the US National Library of Medicine reveals that PMDD, an extreme form of PMS, may be linked to a response by certain genes to female sex hormones, reports women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm.

Q: What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is what I would describe as a severe form of PMS. Unlike PMS, PMDD doesn’t respond as well to traditional forms of therapy and may include extreme depression, mood swings, and debilitating anxiety.

Q: What causes it?

Marla Ahlgrimm: We know for sure that PMDD and PMS are both caused by issues surrounding female reproductive hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone. However, according to Dr. Peter Schmidt, a researcher for the National Institute of Mental Health, scientists now have evidence at the cellular level that indicates certain women may have sudden cyclic behavioral changes due to a sensitivity to these sex hormones.

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Nationally acclaimed women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm answers common questions about pregnancy and body image in the following question and answer session.

Q: What kind of physical changes can I expect when I become pregnant?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Aside from an expanding belly, many women tend to break out more often while pregnant. Some women notice their feet get larger and they start to see prominent varicose veins. During pregnancy, swelling of the hands and feet are common and some women even experience nosebleeds and frequent urinary tract infections. No two women are alike and your body will change in ways that are unique to you.

Q: How can I cope with body image issues during pregnancy?

Marla Ahlgrimm: I find it helpful to remember that your body is changing for a very good reason – your growing baby. Talk with friends, especially women who have had children, and don’t hide your concerns or bottle up your emotions. Learn as much as you can about pregnancy so you’ll know what to expect in the coming months.

Q: Will I ever get my body back?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s very likely that your body will never be exactly the same after giving birth. You may find that your formerly toned and tight tummy may look a little softer. If you got stretch marks during your pregnancy, they may not fully go away. However, while your “new” body may be different, it is just as beautiful as the one you enjoyed prior to motherhood.

Q: Can I diet during pregnancy?

Marla Ahlgrimm: While it’s important to eat a healthy variety of foods, most women should actually increase their caloric intake while pregnant. Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned that you’re gaining too much weight. Understand that nutrition is vital to your baby. Some women, unfortunately, develop eating disorders that results in malnutrition while pregnant. This can trigger a number of complications, including low birth weight, delayed fetal growth, intrauterine growth retardation, gestational diabetes, respiratory problems, and, in extreme cases, stillbirth or fetal death.

Acclaimed women’s health and hormone expert Marla Ahlgrimm discusses the many benefits of physical activity for women.

Q: What are the advantages of staying active?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Physical activity has a host of benefits for girls and women of all ages. Staying active increases muscle strength and flexibility as well as helps you maintain your weight and energy levels. Physical activity further helps your body develop and maintain strong bones and protects against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatigue, and insomnia.

Q: Are there certain types of exercises that are best for women?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women should strive for a combination of aerobic and strength training activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most healthy adults should strive for around two hours of moderate physical activity each week, including two to three days of muscle strength training exercises.

Q: Should I talk to my doctor before beginning a new physical fitness program?

Marla Ahlgrimm: No matter your physical condition, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting something new. Your physician may have insight on your chosen exercise routine that could impact how it’s executed. During this conversation, your doctor will address any medical conditions that may inhibit your ability to exercise. Never began a new exercise regimen if you’re pregnant without speaking to your doctor first.

Q: How do I know when I’ve done too much?

Marla Ahlgrimm: As with all good things, moderation is the key where exercise is concerned. This is especially true for women who are not used to intense workouts. If you notice that your muscles are extremely sore or you experience pain in the hours and days following an exercise, that’s a good sign that you should take it easy. Respiratory issues and extreme fatigue as well as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and an irregular heartbeat are a few ways your body expresses that it has had enough.

Adrenal disorders can cause a number of disparaging symptoms, says women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm. When the adrenal glands – glands that control cortisol and aldosterone – fail to produce, essential life functions take a hit.

Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (AI)

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that AI may cause excessive fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and severe joint pain. Untreated, AI may eventually lead to weight loss, insatiable salt cravings, and darkening of the skin.  People with adrenal disorders may feel fine one day and barely have the energy to get out of bed the next.

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Teen pregnancy rates in the US have declined drastically over the last 25 years, says Marla Ahlgrimm, a women’s health expert and author of The HRT Solution. In 2015, the number of live births to high-school age mothers was 249,078, which represents a birth rate of 22 in 1000 in this age group; in 1991, that number was 62 in 1,000.

Marla Ahlgrimm says the exact reasons for the sharp drop in teen pregnancy is not clear, though a cultural shift toward delaying sexual activity and widespread availability of birth control may have contributed.

A racial divide

Teen pregnancy rates vary between ethnicities, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Hispanic girls were the most likely to conceive between the ages of 15 and 19 (41 in 1000) followed by African American girls (39 in 1000). Caucasian females had lower numbers (18 in 1000) with young Asian women experiencing the lowest number of teenage pregnancies (9 in 1000). Socioeconomic factors, including access to education, family stability, and income all play a role in the occurrence of teen pregnancies. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that girls in the foster care system are more than twice as likely to have a baby as their peers in a family environment.

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HIV is a virus that affects the T-cells of the body, which work to fight disease. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women with HIV are more prone to cervical cancer and severe pelvic inflammatory disease.

Transmission

HIV is a virus spread most commonly through unprotected sexual intercourse. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that people who use intravenous drugs may contract the virus if they share a needle with an HIV+ user. In women, HIV is typically contracted during unprotected vaginal sex.
Symptoms

HIV develops in three stages before culminating in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), says Marla Ahlgrimm. Once the virus enters the body it takes approximately two months for symptoms of the primary infection to emerge. These include fever, swollen lymph glands, rash, sore throat, and headache. Beyond the primary infection, swollen lymph nodes are usually the only symptom of the clinical latent infection stage. Marla Ahlgrimm describes the signs of an early symptomatic HIV infection as similar to the primary infection with the inclusion of extreme fatigue, persistent oral yeast infections, shingles, diarrhea, and unintentional weight loss.

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