Menopause causes your body to produce lower levels of estrogen and progesterone. Some women also experience a drop in testosterone levels. Because estrogen acts as an anti-inflammatory, a decreased level of this hormone may cause weight gain in the visceral fat, especially in the abdominal area. An anti-inflammatory diet or supplements may help.  Anti-Inflammatory Foods Eating a diet full of …

If you have a Pap smear annually or on a regular basis, you know that in most cases the results come back clear. If a test shows abnormal results, a common procedure called a colposcopy may be needed.  What is a colposcopy? A colposcopy is a procedure used to give your doctor a close look at your cervix. It is …

Have you ever entertained the idea of weight training but hesitated because you didn’t want to “bulk up”? Weight training has multiple benefits for women, as it does for nearly all adults at any age and fitness level, including you. You don’t have to start with 40-pound weights. A beginner wright training program for women can ease you into strength …

It’s summertime, but the living may not be easy if you’re managing hot flashes due to menopause.  Is Menopause Worse in Summer? While most symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause don’t change seasonally, one of the most common symptoms — hot flashes — may worsen in the summer, according to a study on women’s health published by the National Library …

Many women experience a heavy period at some point. But if you regularly experience menstrual bleeding heavy enough to disrupt normal activities and affect your quality of life, your doctor may recommend endometrial ablation. Here’s what you should know about the procedure: What is endometrial ablation? During this minimally invasive procedure, a thin probe applies some form of ablation (either …

We all know about pregnancy cravings like pickles and ice cream in the middle of the night. But if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, it’s important to have a base knowledge of foods to eat and avoid during pregnancy. Pickles and ice cream are fine – in moderation! “I like to advise my pregnant patients to eat whole …

Feeling like you constantly make mistakes, receive unfavorable feedback or are invisible can easily lead to negative self-talk. This involves saying things to yourself like “I mess up everything,” “I’m so clueless [or fat or ugly],” or “No one will ever love me.”This internal criticism can affect your well-being and mental health, and may lead to conditions like anxiety or …

Knowing how to alleviate loneliness — distress you may experience when you feel separate from others — is important to your overall well-being. What does it mean if I feel lonely? Loneliness means there’s a void in your life. It may surprise you to learn you can feel lonely even if you interact with people daily, live with others, or …

If you’ve ever felt like yoga classes were too complicated or intimidating, these simple yoga poses and their health benefits may persuade you to give the practice a try. For thousands of years, people have embraced yoga, which in its simplest, modern form supports mental and physical health through focused breathing, stretching and moving your muscles into specific positions. Yoga …

What does it mean to be a wine mom? Self-proclaimed wine moms are plentiful online. They usually have at least a few things in common. They’re moms, they enjoy wine — or “mommy juice” as they sometimes call it — and they typically use self-deprecating humor in their social media feeds and blog posts, joking about drinking wine to cope …