Christiane Northrup's Blog

What we believe about sexuality at menopause has a lot to do with our sexual expectations and experience.  While it is a common misconception that sexual desire and activity inevitably decrease at menopause, this does not have to be true for you.  In fact, that “first love” feeling of sexual desire can be experienced at any life-stage.

At midlife, the challenge for most women is to be able to access that in-love feeling in ways other than looking to another person for fulfillment and gratification. In other words, if you think of sexual energy in the largest possible context — as life force, or Source energy — then it is easy to see that the health and vitality of our sexuality is inexorably linked to the health and vitality of our lives.

Listen to Your Body

Many women at midlife are in the process of negotiating how to tap into their source energy, which is why they often notice a decrease in sexual desire. In addition, many other factors can affect sexual desire, including vaginal dryness, dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), vaginismus (painful spasms in the vaginal muscles), loss of clitoral sensation, and touch sensation impairment. 

Determining the cause of sexual problems can be difficult. Sometimes, menopause-related hormone deficiency is to blame. But sexual function is a complex, integrated phenomenon that reflects the physical health of not only the ovaries and hormone balance but also the cardiovascular system, the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves. In addition, there are almost always underlying psychological, sociocultural, interpersonal and biological influences that affect individual sexual function. Interestingly, in one study where 14 percent of women reported having no sexual problems, one-third admitted they had previously had sexual problems, but that the problems had been resolved when they found new sex partners.

It is also important to note that health conditions and medications may also interfere with sexual functioning. Women suffering from gynecological problems, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, chronic pain, alcoholism, drug use (including cigarette smoking), thyroid deficiency, or depression, as well as those who use anti-hypertensive medications, tranquilizers or sedatives, ulcer medications, glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, or antidepressants may suffer some sexual dysfunction.

10 Common Midlife Sexual Function Changes

Many of the following midlife changes in sexual function have been associated with normal perimenopause:

Increased sexual desire
Change in sexual orientation
Decreased sexual activity
Vaginal dryness and loss of vaginal elasticity
Pain or burning with intercourse
Decreased clitoral sensitivity
Increased clitoral sensitivity
Decreased responsiveness
Increased responsiveness
Fewer orgasms, decreased depth of orgasm, increase in orgasms, sexual awakening

As you can see from this list, change itself, and not the nature of the change, is the common theme. It’s important to remember that during the perimenopausal transition, with all of its changes, a woman’s libido may go underground for a while as she reprioritizes her life and the manner in which she uses her energy. This is perfectly normal and can yield great dividends. But it is only temporary. There is no reason for diminished sex drive to become permanent after menopause. And, while some women truly do notice a decline in libido at menopause, others actually experience heightened sexual desire and activity after menopause.

10 Ways to Keep Your Libido High During Menopause

Overcome cultural barriers. Give yourself permission to explore your sexual energy on your own terms.
Update your relationship. Question what is no longer viable in your relationship and work with your partner on rekindling your passion together.
Make time for yourself and your partner. It can be hard to make the transition from caring for everyone else to taking care of yourself. When you make time for yourself and allow some time to connect with your partner, your passion for each other will return.
Get your hormone levels checked. Androgens are the hormones associated with libido; however, declining levels of estradiol (E2) can also affect a woman’s potential for sexual arousal. Having a baseline panel is ideal; it may help you to know what your hormone levels are when your sex drive is normal for you so that if and when you notice a change, you can test your hormones again to see if anything has changed. I recommend the DUTCH test (dried urine test for comprehensive hormones.)
Try progesterone cream. A little progesterone cream is often all you need to restore your libido. As a precursor to estrogen and testosterone, progesterone is important in maintaining sufficiently high levels of the other hormones for optimal sexual pleasure. A normal balance of progesterone also acts as a mood stabilizer and supports normal thyroid function.
Try phytoestrogens. Many women find that their libido gets restored when they increase their intake of the many known phytoestrogens that nature has given us. These include Pueraria Mirifica, maca, black cohosh, and vitex.
There is hardly a menopausal symptom that exercise cannot help, including low libido.
Tell the truth about your sexuality. All humans are sexual by nature. How you choose to express your sexuality depends on many factors including your upbringing, your hormones levels, your general overall health, and your level of satisfaction with your current partner, if you have one.
Read Hot Monogamy, by Dr. Patricia Love. Dr. Love has identified nine factors that can help sustain libido and cultivate a sensual relationship with your partner and yourself.
Choose to feel pleasure. Your brain is the biggest sex organ in your body. It’s easy to allow yourself to feel sad or depressed. Your ability to choose how you think about sex and pleasure of all kinds is your most powerful ally in reinventing yourself sexually at midlife.

Do You Have Vaginal Atrophy?

It is estimated that up to 60% of post-menopausal women suffer from vaginal atrophy. And due to embarrassment, cultural taboos and the fact that many women just don’t feel comfortable speaking to their health care providers about the intimate details of their sex lives, many women suffer in silence.

What is Vaginal Atrophy?

It is estimated that up to 60% of postmenopausal women suffer from vaginal atrophy. And due to embarrassment, cultural taboos, and the fact that many women just don’t feel comfortable speaking to their health care providers about the intimate details of their sex lives, many women suffer in silence.

Vaginal atrophy (also known as atrophic vaginitis) is caused when there is thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. This is often attributed to a decline in estrogen and occurs most often after menopause, but it can start as early as a woman’s late 30s.

Vaginal atrophy is considered to be a chronic and progressive condition that can affect quality of life.  The symptoms can include:

Vaginal dryness
Thinning of the vaginal walls
Pain or burning sensation, especially during intercourse
Decreased lubrication during intercourse
Spotting after intercourse
Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal
Frequent urinary tract infections
Urinary incontinence

Treatment for Vaginal Atrophy

The good news is that vaginal atrophy is a common condition that is easily treated.  The two best ways to treat this condition is to use a vaginal moisturizer and have more sex! In fact, sexual activity increases blood flow to your vagina and helps to keep vaginal tissues healthy.

When it comes to choosing a vaginal moisturizer, there are many options today. 

Try over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. These are nonhormonal products that can be a wonderful first-line defense against vaginal dryness. They are great for women who are concerned about the use of treatments that contain estrogen.
Use a natural moisturizer. Some women can be sensitive to—or even allergic to—ingredients in OTC vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, especially those containing warming agents, dyes, parabens, mineral oil, and perfumes. Try vitamin E gel caps. You need to puncture the gel cap and then squeeze the gel into your vagina. (You also need to wear a panty liner because the gel can stain your clothing.) Aloe vera is another natural option. You can use it as both a moisturizer and lubricant. And it does not upset the pH balance of your vagina. You can also try coconut oil or olive oil, but don’t use these with condoms. Be sure to test any product on the inside of your arm before using internally to be sure that you don’t have a reaction.
Try herbal remedies. Other solutions to vaginal dryness include herbal remedies that can be taken systemically, including Pueraria Mirifica (this can also be used vaginally), black cohosh, wild yam, Dong Quai or chasteberry.
See your doctor. If you experience painful intercourse that is not resolved by using a vaginal moisturizer, you may need a low-dose estrogen preparation, such as estriol vaginal cream.

  Related Audio:    Low Libido At Midlife? What You Can Do To Increase It

 

The post Common Midlife Sexual Function Changes appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

The ability to attract love into your life is as vital to your health as a good diet and exercise.

But one thing many women forget—or simply don’t know—is that the only path that can ever lead to true love with another is the path of self-love and self-acceptance. And you need to start with loving what is, while at the same time, affirming something better. 

The beauty of this path is that it not only changes your heart, it truly transforms your entire life! That’s why with Valentine’s Day approaching, I want to share some ways you can transform your own approach to love.

And you can do this even if you have a Valentine in your life right now!

9 Tips for Becoming Your Own Valentine

Here are some ways you can ramp up your self-love and ability to attract love. 

Create your sanctuary. You don’t need to spend a lot of money creating your personal sanctuary. Try rearranging and decluttering your space, accenting a room with throws and pillows, or adding candles. After my divorce, I created a cozy home for myself complete with the colors, fabrics, and furniture that I loved. This took a while because I had been so focused on what my husband liked that I didn’t even know what my own preferences were!


Get clear about money. Trusting yourself to manage your own money and finances is one of the most liberating things you can do for yourself. When you don’t need to rely on someone else to provide for you, you will feel better about yourself and about your relationships. 


Dress for you. When you start to love yourself, you may find that your style changes. If you look at my picture on the cover of The Wisdom of Menopause and compare it with the picture on the cover of Mother-Daughter Wisdom, you’ll see that my style went from dowdy to more stylish. Also, it’s not uncommon to require support until you “see” the person you are becoming. 


Use Divine Love. Divine Love is the Source energy that loves and adores you. You can use Divine Love petitions to attract more love. You can say something like, “Divine love now burns away everything that is not like itself. Divine love is now working in and through me, in and through all concerned, producing quickly and easily, the perfect outcome. Every day I am becoming more loving and attracting more love.” 


Show gratitude toward others. Many of us who have had challenges in the love department are blind to the love that surrounds us, focusing instead on the energy vampires who can never love us because they don’t love themselves. Instead, try spending time with people who truly love you and show gratitude and appreciation toward them. Feeling and expressing gratitude towards others creates a cycle of positive relationship behavior that will help enforce the type of loving partnership you seek. 


Breathe properly. There are specific breathing patterns associated with emotions. For example, when someone is experiencing grief, they typically have a difficult time inhaling, while the exhale is long and slow, often accompanied by a sigh as they struggle to let go of whatever they are grieving. Emotions such as anger, fear, or excitement have very different patterns. Whenever you feel difficult emotions, try “squaring” your breath as follows: a) Inhale for 4 counts, allowing your belly to rise, b) Hold your breath at the top for 4 counts, c) Exhale for 4 counts, and d) Hold your breath at the bottom for 4 counts. You can imagine as you inhale that you are bringing in loving energy, and as you exhale you are releasing limiting beliefs. You can also visualize your breath transforming your pain into light. 


Be where you are. Don’t put on a brave face and pretend nothing is wrong. Talk about your pain and frustration with a good friend. Or simply talk it out to yourself in the mirror. Remember, emotional pain moves more freely through the body when you allow yourself to breathe fully, cry, and move your body. 


See yourself as the party. Everyone wants to go to parties that are fun. When you start to see yourself as the party, and learn the art of having fun anywhere, anytime, you are well on your way to becoming your own Valentine. 


Tap into your attractor-factor. Female desire is the most potent force for creation in the world. This force can be seen in biology. The egg sends a message to the sperm, which swim wildly toward it. At ovulation, the female body emits a powerful pheromone (an attractor hormone) that makes her irresistible to men. Similarly, a woman who knows what she wants and knows how to turn on her desires becomes magnetic to her highest good.

9 More Ways to Love Yourself Every Day

You can’t truly love someone else until you fully love and appreciate yourself. So, treat yourself as though you’re someone special every day. Here are some ways to love yourself this Valentine’s Day and every day:

Write yourself a love note. This takes all of about ten seconds. Just jot down something you love about yourself. Leave your love note on your bathroom mirror so you see it when you get up in the morning. Or send yourself an email then open it later. You can even scatter love notes around where you will find them throughout the day or week, such as on your grocery list, by the laundry, or in a jacket pocket.


Take a break from social media. Social media causes us to focus on others rather than ourselves. Plus, it takes our attention away from the present moment. When you take a break from social media, you have time to focus on yourself and your own goals.


Engage in healthy rituals. A ritual is a routine with intent behind it. It’s the same as putting mindfulness into practice. Self-care is the most gratifying form of self-love. Try establishing rituals that support your health, such as getting enough sleep, meditating, or dancing. You can also try practicing affirmations or journaling.


Nourish your body. Eating whole foods and drinking pure water are easy ways to show yourself some love, particularly if you suffer from digestive issues, which at mid-life can be related to taking care of everyone but yourself! Nourishing your body with healthy foods can also improve body acceptance and self-esteem.


Get comfortable being alone. Many people today feel anxious being alone. Much of this has to do with our culture’s constant obsession with connection to others through social media. However, spending time alone is good for your health and can be the key to happiness. Set aside time every day to be alone. Use your alone-time to read a good book, take an Epsom salt bath, or try a new activity.


Spend time with real friends. You’ve heard the expression, “Your vibe attracts your tribe.” Be sure to spend time with people who lift you up. The energy of the people you surround yourself with has a direct impact on your own energy.


Establish boundaries. In order to truly love yourself, you are going to have to say “no” to others more often. When you do this, you may find that you have fewer people in your life. Or you may find that certain people try to lure you back in with increased demands on your time and energy. Don’t give in. When you break the cycle of self-sacrifice, you take a huge step toward self-love.


Say affirmations. Start your day with a positive statement about yourself. The statement can be an acknowledgement of something you have accomplished, such as, “I am a great cook. I made delicious, healthy meals yesterday.” Or you can make your statement about a feeling you wish to evoke throughout your day such as, “Today I am joyful and loving.” Practice your affirmations in front of a mirror first thing in the morning.


Cleanse negative emotions. Another way to love yourself and release negative emotions is to take an Epsom salt bath for 20 minutes. As the water drains out of the tub, imagine any anger and hurt you are holding onto washing right down the drain. This is a process, not an event. So repeat this as necessary!

Remember, Valentine’s Day isn’t limited to romantic one-on-one relationships. It’s a revolution of the heart that changes everything in our lives. And the more you tap into the energy of self-love, the better the world becomes for you and for everyone.

How have you become your own Valentine? Please leave your comments below.

Learn More — Additional Resources
“Happiness”

“Divine Love. The Most Powerful Healer”

The post Why Self-Love is Vital to Your Health appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

I have often said that community equals immunity. And it’s true. Humans thrive on real connection, acceptance, and intimacy. Our bodies are profoundly affected by our interactions with those closest to us—our tribes. We are herd creatures, and with few exceptions, we do best physically, emotionally, and spiritually when we are part of a tribe that values us.

There are hundreds of studies that show when people have satisfying relationships they are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.  Some of these studies focus on short-term health benefits, such as fewer colds and flu. Other studies have looked at longevity showing that the quality of your relationships can lead to a longer life. For example, one study found that midlife women who were in highly satisfying relationships (including marriage) had a lower risk for cardiovascular disease compared with those in less satisfying relationships. Even more, studies have found that people who are ill have better survival rates when they have social support. This is why there are so many support groups for people with cancer and other chronic conditions.

Social connections that give you pleasure can influence your long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as other health-supporting habits, such as getting enough quality sleep, eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables, and not eating sugar or drinking alcohol in excess. One reason for this may be, as some research suggests, that feeling valued and supported in your relationships triggers the release of stress-reducing hormones.

What is the Roseto Effect?

The Roseto Effect was discovered during a 50-year longitudinal study of Roseto, Pennsylvania, a town settled by Italian immigrants, which showed that that being part of a community where elders are revered and people are nurtured leads to a significantly lower incidence of heart disease and other and stress-related diseases. 

Despite reported habits of smoking, drinking, eating fried foods, and contact with toxins and other occupational hazards related to mining, when compared to neighboring towns, Rosetans had half the incidence of disease. This was despite being similar in all other ways, including having the same water supply, income level, and occupational and race mixes. What the neighboring towns did not have were valued connections among community members.

This phenomenon became known as the “Roseto Effect.” It is very common today in our society for social ties and commitments to end up pretty far down on our “to do” lists.  This may be because more people are realizing that the Roseto Effect is not apparent in their life. They are part of a tribe that does not support them—whether it’s their biological family, work colleagues, or neighbors—and they simply don’t want to make the time to socialize unless absolutely necessary.  Yet so many people would rather “just go along” with their tribe than cut ties and find themselves without one.

The truth is living without a nurturing social network can have many negative effects on your mental and physical health including:

Increased risk for depression and anxietySleep changes (too much or too little)Weight loss or gainSubstance abuse/addiction 

In fact, the absence of support in social relationships has been shown to have the same negative health effects as drinking more than six alcoholic drinks per day or smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

In other words, loneliness is the new smoking!

The same lack of social connection is also more harmful than not exercising or being obese!

12 Ways to Attract Your Soul Tribe

Being part of a community that you feel doesn’t support you can be harmful to your health. That’s why it’s important to take the steps you need to create your own Roseto Effect by building your own social support network.  We’ve all heard the saying “your vibe attracts your tribe.” It’s true! You simply have to be willing to listen to what your Soul is telling you and let go of the cultural programming that is limiting you.

Here are my 12 tips for attracting your soul tribe and creating the Roseto Effect in your life:

Release your cultural programming.  Mario Martinez has documented the ways in which all tribes wound the members who step beyond the pale. They include betrayal, abandonment, and shaming.Ask yourself if you are able to be all of who you really are within your original tribe. If not, there has never been a time in history that is more conducive to finding your true Soul family.Set your intention. Ask yourself the following questions when seeking new social connections: “What am I interested in? What have I always wanted to know, see or experience?” Let your answers guide you. As you seek out your soul tribe, be sure to avoid the urge to bond solely based on a shared wound, such as incest, the loss of a child, or disease because too often the wound becomes the only reason for the existence of the group. And once you evolve to the point where you want to bring more joy and light into the group, you may find yourself shunned yet again.Open yourself up to new ideas. Start with yourself and do the inner work necessary to create a more supportive tribe. Many people are between two worlds here. They know that their old life doesn’t work, but they haven’t quite established the new one yet. Engage in some activity that helps you identify your needs and manifest your Soul tribe. It may help to meditate, pray, keep a journal or say affirmations. You may also want to create a home altar and fill it with objects that call your tribe to you. As you go through these exercises continue to release any limiting beliefs by writing them on pieces of paper and burning them or tossing them away.Reach out online. The Internet has given us endless ways to meet people. Relationship coach Diana Kirschner, who wrote Love in 90 Days, points out more people are finding love at all ages than ever before because of online dating and social media. The same is true for finding your Soul tribe. Social media is a great place to call your Soul tribe to you. Facebook groups can be a wonderful place to start and maintain relationships. Or start a blog and name the type of members you want to attract.  Remember, when using social media you may also find that you need to “unfriend” some people. Practice stepping out. This takes courage. Almost all of us remember sitting alone in the middle school cafeteria. You can get stuck here if you aren’t willing to try something new on your own. Volunteer in your community, take an art class, or find a spiritual community that feels authentic to you. Just get out and about and you will immediately start to feel more connected. When you meet people you mesh with, invite them to be part of your tribe.Let go of your ego. Sometimes we let our sense of being “different” or “special” get in the way of belonging. The ego is good at protecting us, but don’t let it create a story of separation that distances you from the relationships you crave.  Years ago, when I was reinventing myself after my divorce, I believed that my “real tribe” was somewhere else. The more I released my old tribal programming about what I’m “supposed” to do, say, and think, the more my true tribe has assembled.Be authentic. It sounds like a no-brainer, but being authentic and showing up as your true self is the only way you are going to be happy with the tribe you choose.  The more you show up, the easier it gets and the happier you will be.Identify what type of community you want. If you truly want to find your tribe, you need to determine what type of community you want to be a part of.  For example, do you want to be a part of a community linked by a shared activity, such as marathon running or knitting?  Or is proximity more important so that you can get together in person in your neighborhood?  Or may you want to connect with people who have a common purpose or goal, such as job networking.Believe in yourself. Belief in yourself and what you have to offer and to gain from your community will help you manifest what you want.  You can use meditation and affirmations to help identify what aspects of the community are missing in your life and to start visualizing your path toward finding it.Know when to commit. If something feels right, make an effort to make your new community part of your life for a while – say 30 days or longer.  For example, if you’ve found a club that you really enjoy, try to attend get-togethers on a regular basis. If you joined a gym or are trying a new sport, commit to going a few times per week for a month.  Then, if something is not working you know you gave it your all and you can move on to something else you are more suited for.Remember that which you seek is also seeking you. Finding your Soul family is a process, but it’s so worth it in the end!

How have you created the Roseto Effect in your life and found your Soul tribe?  Please share your stories in the comment section below.

The post 12 Tips for Finding Your Soul Tribe to Achieve Better Health appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

Every year, millions of women cope with pain. Women are more likely to experience chronic pain syndromes, such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, migraines, and other painful conditions, than men. This has a lot to do with your life’s circumstances—and what you believe your life can be like. Layered onto this are real physiological factors that affect the overall health of your body and your ability to heal.

Unlike acute pain, which is usually severe but only present for six months or less due to tissue damage and inflammation that is usually the result of an injury, chronic pain is either the result of persistent tissue injury (present for more than six months) or the ongoing activation of pain receptors. This can lead to changes in your brain that result in increased nerve sensitivity. Over time, this depletes the neurotransmitters in the brain, especially serotonin, which may explain why people with chronic pain are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Similarly, people with chronic depression and anxiety are more likely to develop a pain disorder due to concomitant changes in their brain’s neurotransmitters.

Acute pain isn’t necessarily bad. It is often a message to slow down and wait for your body to heal. Acute pain can also be associated with normal body processes, such as “growing pains” or labor. In this case, acute pain is a sign of a positive change that’s taking place in the body. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is indicative of deeper physical and emotional issues and requires a take-the-bull-by-the-horns approach—something that seems counter-intuitive to many women dealing with chronic pain syndromes, such as Fibromyalgia.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is an often-misunderstood disorder. Yet, fully 5 million Americans (primarily women) suffer from this chronic condition. From a medical perspective, Fibromyalgia is a complex nervous system disorder that is often triggered by a one-time event or a repeated pattern or stimulus. It is a syndrome diagnosis with many different recurring symptoms. People with Fibromyalgia experience widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues in the body. They may also experience severe fatigue and disturbed sleep. Other common symptoms include brain fog, depression, and vague intestinal issues. People with Fibromyalgia are often overly sensitive empaths.

For a long time, Fibromyalgia was not considered a real condition, yet for people with Fibromyalgia the suffering is real. Healing from Fibromyalgia can be a challenge as most people with Fibromyalgia don’t respond to the standard set treatments, which are primarily aimed at reducing pain and typically fall short when it comes to alleviating fatigue, brain fog, and other debilitating symptoms. That is why a holistic approach is necessary.

10 Ways to Relieve the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

When you are in pain and unable to sleep, it can seem like a vicious cycle. Sometimes the first step to healing is to reduce the symptoms. There are some natural ways to help ease the pain that comes with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes.

Take magnesium. Fully 80 percent of the population is magnesium deficient, and a large percentage of women with chronic pain syndromes are also deficient in this important mineral. In addition, stress and pain medication can deplete the body of magnesium. A double blind, placebo-controlled study showed that magnesium malate helped improve the pain and tenderness associated with Fibromyalgia. Magnesium is also essential for maintaining healthy serotonin levels in the brain. Try 500 mg of magnesium twice a day with food. You really can’t “overdose” on magnesium because it’s excreted in the stool, although too much can cause diarrhea. If that happens, just cut back on the dose.
Try accupuncture. In Chinese medicine, where there is pain there is a blockage in the flow of energy, or chi. Acupuncture helps release stuck, stagnated chi. It also helps the body release its own opiates (pain-relieving neurotransmitters similar to those in oxycodone, Percocet) and other addictive narcotics. Producing these substances naturally eliminates pain as well as the chance for overdose, mental dullness, or other adverse side effects from taking opiate drugs.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Inflammation is always present in some form or another in chronic pain syndromes. In “classic” Fibromyalgia, inflammation may not appear to be systemic, but rather is present deep within the nervous system and the microglia of the brain. Removing foods that cause inflammation can significantly reduce pain. Try the Whole 30 way of eating. Simply eat organic, fresh, unprocessed foods, including lots of fruits and vegetables. And, make sure you get enough omega-3 fats. Aim for 1,000 to 2,000 mg EPA and DHA per day. Four ounces of wild Alaskan salmon contains 1,300 mg. Ground flax and hemp seed are also good sources. Eliminate foods that are known to cause inflammation—such as dairy, gluten, sugar, and soy—for a month. Some people may also need to remove grains. If you decide to add these foods back into your diet, do it one at a time and notice how you feel. An anti-inflammatory diet may help you lose weight, and people who lose weight often find that their chronic pain disappears. Finally, intermittent fasting can help ease inflammation and related pain.
Do a gentle detox. Certain supplements can help reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and chronic pain by assisting your body in removing toxins. Due to possible metabolic dysfunction, people with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain may produce more toxins or have a more difficult time clearing them from their bodies. The build-up of these toxins can actually contribute to the pain and fatigue of Fibromyalgia. Try N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) supplements. Glutathione is another supplement that can help with gentle detox. In addition, studies show that glutathione levels in the brains of Fibromyalgia patients are low. You can also do try skin brushing daily as a gently way to remove toxins. Saunas can also help, although you’ll want to start slowly and see how you feel.
Obtain optimal Vitamin D levels. An overwhelming number of studies show that at least half of all people (my guess is it’s closer to three quarters) with unexplained chronic pain, including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and other musculoskeletal pain, have low vitamin D levels (less than 20 ng/ml). You want your vitamin D levels to be 52 ng/ml or higher (but not higher than 100 ng/ml). This may require taking 5,000 IUs of vitamin D per day for a few months. After that 2,000–3,000 IUs per day is usually enough to maintain the optimal level of 52 ng/ml for people with chronic pain.
Take supplements. It’s always a good idea to support your body as you are recovering from an illness or transitioning to a more active lifestyle. Start by taking a pharmaceutical grade multi-vitamin/mineral supplement. Some studies show that lactate, a bi-product of anaerobic metabolism that causes pain, fatigue, and other symptoms, is high in people with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This suggests that energy metabolism in people with Fibromyalgia is impaired. Martin Pall, Ph.D.’s NO/OONO protocol uses supplements that address oxidative stress and high lactate levels, including glutathione, magnesium malate, mixed tocopherols, Buffered C, flavonoids, CoQ10, folic acid, zinc, and others.
Move your body. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when you’re in pain. However, it is very important to move your body if you have pain. For one thing, exercise, and movement in general, increases endorphins, which make you feel better both physically and emotionally. However, too much exercise can worsen pain syndromes, so you’ll need to experiment with different forms of exercise and how much makes you feel better. Your goal is to increase blood flow to your tissues, bringing them oxygen and nutrients essential to the healing process, and to keep your joints and spine as fluid as possible while keeping tissue inflammation to a minimum. Ultimately, this will help get rid of your pain and help you stay pain-free. Start slowly with simple stretches and gentle movement exercises such as walking and yoga. Build your way up to movements that require more exertion but don’t leave you feeling pain or fatigue. You may want to enlist the help of a physical therapist, neuromuscular therapist, or professional trainer.
Relax. Being a couch potato will not make chronic pain disappear. However, relaxation is an important element to your recovery because it can help reduce stress and lessen muscle tension and pain. Try meditation, guided imagery, an Epsom salt bath, or simply set aside quiet time every day. Daily relaxation can be the most effective health ritual you’ll ever employ and has been known to reduce symptoms of depression, pain, stress, and anxiety. Plus, it can help you achieve better, deeper sleep and enhance your quality of life.
Get physical therapy. Physical therapy can be a great way to begin moving through and easing your pain. Find a physical therapist who deals with chronic pain. They can also teach you self-care techniques for easing symptoms at home, as well as lifestyle changes to help shift your focus toward regaining control of your life without focusing on chronic pain and limitation.
Enjoy a massage. Massage and other forms of body work are good medicine. Working with a massage therapist or neuromuscular therapist can help ease your pain and get you moving again. Be sure to work with someone who is knowledgeable about chronic pain conditions and stay away from deep tissue work until you are feeling better.



Resolve Unhealthy Emotions to Heal Fibromyalgia

The physical pain of Fibromyalgia can become all-consuming, keeping you from addressing your deeper emotional pain. As long as a woman believes that her degree of pain is related only to an unhealed back or neck or other body part, she is not likely to feel relief. In addition, when someone lives on disability benefits and no longer has a vocation or avocation, the chances for pain improvement are very slim.

Emotions play a huge role in the chronic pain cycle. And research has shown that emotional pain, such as the pain of rejection, registers in the same place in the brain as physical pain. This explains why emotional pain can intensify physical pain, and vice versa. Where pain shows up in your body can be a clue to what is causing your emotional pain. For example, pain in the muscles represents resistance to change – it literally restricts your ability to move or act! Similarly, sleep disorders can be related to trust issues. You must learn to trust that it is okay and safe for you to relax.

Most women with Fibromyalgia are driven and lead stressful lives. Some women with Fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes are empaths who are so busy dealing with their perceived obligations to others that they leave little time for themselves. These women often have difficulty establishing boundaries and lack the ability to balance activity with rest, while others may be intolerant or impatient of people or circumstances beyond their control. In my experience having seen many women with Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, there is always a deep emotional wound that has not been addressed, whether it’s a relationship, a job, or other life situation. And, they often long for something that they believe is out of their reach, whether or not their belief is true.

That’s why the first step toward finding true relief from chronic pain is to identify and change the thought patterns and emotions that are underlying and contributing to it. This can literally change your biochemistry and your life circumstances.

Here are 7 ways you can change thought patterns that contribute to pain:

Start Tapping. Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), is a technique that everyone can use. Tapping does not “treat” Fibromyalgia or chronic pain in the way western medicine or even Traditional Chinese Medicine does. Instead, it addresses your unique pattern of energetic constriction that is showing up as pain, as well as the underlying negative feelings, beliefs, and self-talk. Learn more about Tapping (EFT).
Change your environment. The theory of epigenetics states that our environment (which shapes and includes our emotions) affects our DNA. Support your body and cells with lots of natural light and nutritious food. Get out in nature and watch a sunrise or pick some flowers. You can also wear Chakra colors to support emotional healing. For example, wear blue, the color of the Fifth Chakra, to help support your ability to speak your truth.
Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of talk therapy that can help you identify and release negative beliefs and emotions and deal with trauma. CBT can be especially beneficial for people dealing with chronic pain from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A specific form of CBT called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is aimed at helping people with chronic pain make positive behavior changes rather than focusing on symptoms reduction.
Resolve feelings of shame. Girls and women tend to turn shame inward. Shame gets internalized as a lack of self-worth. Shame can be at the core of many illnesses, including depression and chronic pain. Releasing shame and re-establishing self-worth begins with self-love. Learn my “6 Easy Steps for Releasing Shame.”
Express your anger. In our culture, women are taught from a young age not to express their anger. Unexpressed anger when held for a long period of time puts you at risk for a number of health problems, including depression, anxiety, heart attack, and stroke. There are many techniques you can use to release anger, including simply using your intention and saying, “I choose to release this anger from my body.” Learn more.
Do an energy clearing. An energy clearing wipes the slate clean so you can start over. You can perform an energy clearing yourself or work with an energy healer. When doing an energy clearing, it’s important to clear any ancestral energy and past life energy that may be the root cause of your negative emotions and pain. You do this simply by choosing the emotion you want to release, then asking your Spirit to go through time—through your ancestry, your soul’s lineage, and your soul contracts—to identify and clear all of the causes and situations that have contributed to that emotion.
Use a Divine Love petition. Divine Love is the greatest healer of all. You can use a Divine Love petition to clear your symptoms and the underlying causes. Be sure not to use a diagnosis, but rather address the symptom you are seeking to relieve. For example, you can say “widespread pain” as your symptom. To learn how to use a Divine Love petition, go to the World Service Institute.

Recovery from chronic pain is possible for anyone willing to change their perception of the sensations in their body. The brain can be trained to turn down the volume on pain perception. But you must engage your will in order to get better. The very act of deciding to move forward in your life engages your will. This releases natural, pain-relieving opiates and moves chi. On the other hand, looking for evidence of disability increases the pain response in your body.

Here’s what I want you to know: Regardless of what has happened in your life, you have the ability to engage your will and move forward. When you do this, you will begin the process that reprograms your mind and body toward health, resilience, and a pain-free life.

Try a Nitric Oxide Supplement for Pain Relief

Nitric oxide is involved in just about every physiological process in your body. While the role of nitric oxide in inflammation and pain perception is complex, it seems to have an important role in pain relief from different pain syndromes.

For example, nitric oxide increases blood flow to your muscles, which helps flush out metabolites that cause soreness, which may help improve exercise tolerance and recovery in people suffering from pain syndromes. Nitric oxide also reduces neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with some pain syndromes by increasing arterial flow to your nerves and venous drainage away from nerves to counter pain from inflammation. In addition, nitric oxide seems to mediate the analgesic effect of certain medications, such as opioids and other substances. And higher nitric oxide levels may be associated with better postoperative pain relief in some patients, can help control neuropathic pain in chemotherapy patients, and may play a role in reducing chronic systemic inflammation often seen in chronic pain syndromes such as rheumatoid arthritis.

It’s easy to boost your body’s own nitric oxide production naturally by engaging in pleasurable activities, thinking happy thoughts, or taking a nitric oxide–boosting supplement.

Could Leaky Gut Be Causing Your Pain?

Intestinal permeability—also known as leaky gut or dysbiosis—can cause many symptoms, including chronic pain. This is because when your gut is leaky, undigested food particles as well as toxins and microbes escape into your bloodstream. Once these materials are in circulation they can be deposited in other areas of the body, including your joints, tendons, ligaments, and even your muscles. This is known as the gut-joint axis.  

If you have autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other forms of musculoskeletal pain, and if you suffer from a wide range of other symptoms including digestive issues (gas, bloating, and diarrhea), allergies, mood changes, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, skin conditions (acne, rosacea, eczema), hormonal imbalances and more, treating your gut may be one of the best things you can do.

The main causes of leaky gut are poor diet, toxin overload, stress, and infections such as intestinal parasites, Candida overgrowth, or bacterial overgrowth. Overuse of certain medications such as steroids, NSAIDS, antibiotics, and antacids can also contribute to a leaky gut.

If you think you have a leaky gut, be sure to eliminate inflammatory foods. You may also want to try a parasite cleanse. Taking digestive enzymes, probiotics, and a good source of collagen that is rich in amino acids can help to restore your gut health.  

Do you have chronic pain? What are you really aching for? What are you doing to heal? Please leave your comments below.

 

The post Breaking the Cycle of Chronic Pain appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

I often hear people say, “I’m too old for that.” While I believe that you are never too old to do the things you truly love, I do believe we outgrow certain things as we get older. Many of the things we outgrow are the things that don’t serve us, such as making excuses or keeping quiet for fear that people won’t like what we have to say.

As you know, letting go of the things that don’t serve you can be a huge step toward increased health and vitality. And, if you have read my book Goddesses Never Age, you know that the key to becoming ageless is not related to the number of years you have lived on this planet—rather it’s about your own wisdom. Wisdom is affected by your own experiences, preferences, and thoughts. You can be wise at any age.

Things I am Too Wise For in 2025

By eliminating the things I am too wise for, I have increased my value and my competence. You can too!

Here is my list of things I am too wise for this year:

Telling my age. I believe that aging is optional. And There is nothing I am too old for. In fact, I feel younger now than ever!  One of the reasons I feel younger is because I have stepped out of the cage of age altogether. I have simply become too wise for ageism. As part of this wisdom, I no longer state my age. In fact, I don’t even think about my age. And I don’t celebrate “milestone” birthdays! I don’t use my age as an excuse for anything. Instead, I think about taking up space. I feel so strongly that my best years are all ahead.Withholding my beliefs about my spirituality.I have been known to hold ceremonies and officiate in the way that feels best to me. I call in the Archangels and the 4 Directions. I smudge everyone. I use Divine Love petitions for myself and others. I dance around the fire. And every year I take the time to meditate on the year ahead using the 13 Holy nights that begins tonight. It’s such a beautiful way to put the old year to bed and welcome in the new at this precious time that is full of joy and full of pain— all at the same time. I don’t hold back or worry about what others think. The process is about being myself and acting on my true beliefs.Being hesitant about my creativity. Everyone is born creative. We all have individual styles, and we express them in a way that no one else can possibly imitate. I have expanded my creativity in many ways over the years—from dancing the tango to “process painting” and more. I found it exhilarating to be in the creative process and allow my inner self to shine through.Being a fashionista. Carrie Bradshaw put designer shoes on the map for many women. But even before that, for many years, I felt a little embarrassed wearing my L.L. Bean boots to New York City in the winter. Not anymore! While high-heeled or pointy-toed shoes may look sexy, they throw your body out of alignment. Over time, they contribute to bunions, hammer toes, and foot pain. The truth is, I go barefoot whenever I can. I also wear minimal shoes so that walking is like being barefoot. As a result, I have better arches, stronger feet, and more flexibility than ever.Spending time with people who don’t inspire or uplift me. I’m done with putting up with negative people—you know, those people who complain about their spouses, their jobs, their kids, their health, or their families without being able to tap into their power to improve their situations. I am wise enough to love my own company. I no longer need to be with people just so that I won’t be alone. In fact, nothing is lonelier than being with people who drain my energy and have nothing to offer. I love my own company so much that loneliness is a thing of the past. It’s so liberating.Being “appropriate.” I remember that a friend once called me to tell me her daughters told her that they didn’t want to see her dance like she did at a wedding. They were shutting her down by telling her that her exuberant dancing was “inappropriate.”  My friend was far from inappropriate. She was just enjoying herself on the dance floor. Like my friend, I choose to express myself. I am no longer dignified and shut down. And, I have the home videos to prove it.  Finishing a book I don’t like. If I read 30 pages and I don’t like it, I just stop and give the book away. It doesn’t matter if the book is considered a great classic. If I don’t like it, it doesn’t warrant my attention. I feel the same way about television shows and movies. If I don’t like them within the first 15 minutes, they are not going to get better. Every single time I’ve stuck it out thinking that the movie simply had to get better, I’ve been disappointed. And it feels like a couple hours of life have been robbed from me.Speaking to telemarketers.When the phone rings and I hear that delay on the other end, I simply hang up—If I answer it at all. Yes, I know that there is a human being on the other end doing his or her job. I bless them first. Then I hang up.Watching mainstream news. It’s very clear who own the mainstream media and what the agenda is. They want to keep us angry, afraid, and unsure. And I’m so happy many more people are waking up to this fact. I give my attention to the people, places, and things that are making a positive difference on the planet—not tearing it down.Believing I need to save others. As a physician, I was trained to rescue others. And believe me, when someone is bleeding or in pain, the tools of medicine are wonderful and amazing. But I have learned that I can sometimes go too far with my rescuer mind-set and that it can even disempower the very people I try to help. So, I simply acknowledge that I am not anyone else’s Higher Power. They have their own. Now I am able to offer information and allow people to find their own answers without thinking that I know what’s best for them.Caring what others think. When one of my daughters was about 7 years old, she asked me if I was a doctor. I said, “Yes, I’m a doctor.” She said, “Well, you’re not what you’d expect.” She was right! I’ve been an outlier most of my life—in medicine, in college, in my town, in life in general—and certainly for the past 5 years! I’ve never been what people expect. I don’t fit into any one group. Though I can merge into almost all of them, I no longer try to be someone I am not.Holding on to guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are feelings associated with self-sacrifice and martyrdom, which are tools of darkness and enslavement. They dim your light and perpetuate the myth that you are flawed. When you love yourself first, you stand as the light. I choose to humbly acknowledge my greatness with humility and shine my light. 5 Tips for Creating Your New Year, Wise You List

With the new year in full swing, you may have already made your list for what you want to bring into your life. If you haven’t written anything down, I suggest you try it. Writing down your goals forces you to clarify what you want. By the same token, writing down the things you no longer will tolerate in your life—the things you are too wise for—will motivate you to overcome resistance and act toward achieving your goals. Both are necessary.

Since most of us are filled with motivation at the beginning of a new year, now is a great time to make your “Things I Am Too Wise For” list.

Here is how to get started: 

Write it down. When you write down the things you have already let go, you are creating a reminder of how far you have come.Add to your list. Once you have reminded yourself of how far you have come, write down the things that you know you are too wise for but haven’t quite put into action yet. Let the action of writing it down move you toward letting go.Don’t judge your list. Let your list be as long or a short as you want. No pressure. This is not a one-time to-do list.Make it visible. Place your list somewhere you can easily see it. The point is to use it for inspiration.Continue to add to your list as you become wiser. This can be both empowering and fun!

What are you too wise for?  Please share your wisdom with me in the comments section below.

The post Things I Am Too Wise for This Year appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

Hot flashes are the most common menopausal symptom. Anywhere from 50 to 85 percent of women experience hot flashes and night sweats at some point during perimenopause. For some women hot flashes lead to loss of productivity and a decreased quality of life. 

Mainstream medicine considers hot flashes to be a result of declining estrogen levels. But while hot flashes are seen in women with low estrogen, women with high estrogen levels or fluctuating estrogen levels also experience hot flashes. It is not uncommon for women to experience hot flashes during pregnancy, and also premenstrually.

What are Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes, or vasomotor flushes, are sudden rushes of heat that affect the face, neck and chest. Many women flush, sweat and then become chilled afterward.

Depending on the intensity of a hot flash, some women may experience accompanying headaches or feel dizzy, tired, weak, or lose sleep. Others experience heart palpitations or erratic heartbeats.

Hot flashes often occur just before or during the menstrual period in perimenopausal women. While hot flashes tend to go away a year or two after menopause, many women experience hot flashes post-menopausally.

Night sweats are on a continuum with hot flashes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine 3:00–4:00 A.M. is the most common time for night sweats, which may cause you to awaken drenched with sweat. Solutions are the same as for hot flashes.

What Causes Hot Flashes?

Hot flashes occur when blood vessels in the skin open more widely than usual. This causes more blood to shift into the area creating heat and redness. Researchers believe that this vascular shift is due to changes in neurotransmitter activity that are not fully understood but occur in response to erratic hormone levels.

Women with low progesterone but normal estrogen levels may experience hot flashes and night sweats. Other hormones may also play a role in causing hot flashes. Hot flashes also occur with low testosterone levels (even in men!), high follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), surges of luteinizing hormone (LH), increased cortisol, increased stress hormones and low beta–endorphin levels. Even low levels of antioxidants in the body can contribute to hot flashes, which is another reason why a hormone-balancing diet rich in nutrients and low in refined carbohydrates is important to support the body during menopause.

Certain illnesses, such as anorexia nervosa can cause hot flashes. Over-the-counter sinus and allergy medications can have an adrenaline-like effect that can trigger hot flashes. Prior to menopause, I experienced hot flashes while taking GnRH to shrink my fibroid before having it surgically removed.

It’s Not Always Your Hormones.

Hot flashes are most common in Western cultures. Women from non-western cultures, such as Japan, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Mexico report fewer menopausal symptoms, including fewer hot flashes. While a diet high in soy foods may be part of the equation in some non-western cultures, this is only part of the picture.

In our culture 70 to 85 percent of women suffer from hot flashes, sometimes severely. I believe that this is, in part, because we have been led to believe that issues that arise premenstrually and perimenopausally are just hormonal, or that they exist in a universe that is completely separate from the rest of our lives. 

 This is simply not true. By reducing our bodies’ signals to physical symptoms, we are “buying in” to the belief system that pervades Western medicine. While I am not discounting the direct physical effect of changing hormones, it is important to understand that uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, will be magnified and prolonged if a woman is carrying heavy emotional baggage. In general, women with a history of anxiety, panic attacks or depression are more troubled by hot flashes than women without these experiences.

10 Common Hot Flash Triggers to Avoid

Every woman can learn to stay cool by paying attention to her own individual triggers. In fact, learning your triggers may be all you need to control your hot flashes.

Here are 10 common hot flash triggers that you may want to avoid:

1. Spicy food. Many women find that spicy food aggravates or even triggers hot flashes. However, some researchers now believe that hot peppers can be great for combating hot flashes, as women in South American and Mexico rarely experience them.

2. Hot drinks. Warm beverages can heat you up just enough to trigger a hot flash. If this is true for you, stick with cold or room-temperature drinks.

3. Caffeine. Eliminate all caffeine (even decaffeinated drinks) for one week to see if caffeine is a trigger for you.

4. Alcohol. Alcohol is a refined carbohydrate that acts like sugar in the body. It can cause an epinephrine release, which can trigger a hot flash. Red wine is particularly potent.

5. Sugar. Sugar has also caused heart palpitations in some of my patients.

6. Stress. Stress causes a hormonal chain reaction in the body that has been linked to increased number and severity of hot flashes. See Solutions for ways to combat stress.

7. Hot weather. You can’t control the weather, but you can set your thermostat at a comfortable level; 70 degrees during the day and 65 at night may help keep you cool.

8. Hot tubs and saunas. Hot tubs and saunas can cause your body temperature to rise and trigger a hot flash. It’s best to avoid these if you’re sensitive.

9. Tobacco. Studies show that smoking is associated with increased frequency risk of hot flashes. This may be due to altered hormone levels in smokers. While quitting smoking may lessen the risk of hot flashes, there are plenty of other reasons not to smoke.

10. Unexpressed anger. Keeping feelings of anger and shame bottled up can lead to a whole host of health problems. Identify the root of your anger and express it openly. You may want to keep a journal to help you uncover patterns.

7 More Hot Flash Solutions

If you are keeping track of your triggers and are still hot and bothered by hot flashes, here are 7 more ways you can control the severity and frequency of your hot flashes.

1. Try estrogen replacement. Estrogen replacement is highly effective in cooling hot flashes and is considered the “gold standard.” I recommend only bioidentical estrogen at individualized doses. You may want to have your hormone levels tested before you begin using estrogen.

2. Try natural progesterone cream. 2 percent bioidentical progesterone cream has been shown to decrease hot flashes in many women at a dose of 1/4 teaspoon per day on skin. I recommend 1/4 teaspoon once or twice per day, at least 3 weeks per month, or daily if periods have stopped. Remember, bioidentical progesterone is entirely different from the synthetic progesterone found in most conventional hormone replacement regimens and in birth control pills. It has far fewer side effects compared to the synthetic varieties.

3. Learn stress reduction techniques. Dr. Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response and founder of The Mind/Body Medical Institute (now The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine) successfully taught women relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioral skills to help them ease the transition to menopause. His studies show that relaxation-based techniques help cool hot flashes in 90 percent of women without any hormonal therapy at all.

4. Improve your diet. Many women also find relief when they improve their diets. The Menopause Food Plan that I lay out in The Wisdom of Menopause is a great place to start!

5. Try herbal therapies. There are a wide variety of herbs that can help ease hot flashes, including Angelica (Dong Quoi), burdock, chasteberry, motherwort, and licorice. Pueraria mirifica found in my Amata Life products can also help immensely.

6. Check your emotional baggage. Determine what your hot flashes mean to you. Tapping into your body’s wisdom can help ease your symptoms significantly. Many women experience hot flashes when they are angry, especially if they don’t let their anger out. Author Vicki Noble suggests that hot flashes are the body’s way of naturally cleansing what it no longer needs. If you have any doubts about your emotions, one of the best ways to figure out just how you feel about things is through keeping a journal.

7. Establish a peer support network. Studies show that women benefit both mentally and physically from mutual support. Talking with other women about your experience can help alleviate some of the anxiety often associated with menopausal symptoms.

Do you suffer from hot flashes? What have you done to alleviate this symptom?

The post Quell Hot Flashes During Perimenopause appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

I am not a fan of screening your breasts to look for disease. But most women have been conditioned to look for what can go wrong with their health, and particularly their breasts after a certain age. If getting regular breast screenings helps to alleviate stress and fear, then these tests may be right for you.

That said, if you are going to engage in the practice of screening for disease, I would be sure to do everything in your power to create breast health and use the least invasive and least harmful tests available. I also encourage you to get familiar with your breasts, so you know what’s normal for you. And use your intuition to determine what any symptoms you may experience mean, and the underlying cause.

It’s also important to understand the limitation of mammograms and other screening tests and the risks they pose. For example, screening tests have led to a great deal of over diagnosis and over treatment—a view supported by breast cancer surgeon Dr. Laura Esserman.

The Trouble with Mammograms

Mammograms carry health risks both to body and mind, which may outweigh the benefits for many women.  And increasingly due to high resolution mammograms, DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) is being picked up on breast cancer screening tests.

In an article published in October, 2015 in JAMA Oncology, Dr. Esserman says that DCIS accounts for approximately 20-25% of screen-detected breast cancers. Yet, long-term epidemiology studies have demonstrated that the removal of 50,000 to 60,000 DCIS lesions annually has not been accompanied by a reduction in the incidence of invasive breast cancers.

The rate of DCIS detection in 1973 was 3.8%. In the United States alone, the increased rate of DCIS detection between 1983-1993 was 314%.  And, among women ages 40-49 that rate was 339%, thanks mostly to widespread use of mammography.

To make matters worse, a large study of over 51,000 women found that the number of women who decided to have both breasts removed (double mastectomy) after being diagnosed with DCIS in one breast more than tripled between 1998 and 2005. In 1998, 4.1% of the women had prophylactic mastectomy in the non-DCIS breast. In 2005, 13.5% had prophylactic mastectomy.  

I have friends who have had bilateral mastectomies for DCIS. This absolutely breaks my heart because DCIS is NOT cancer, though many doctors consider it to be “Stage 0 cancer.”  And, depending upon what advice a woman is then given, she may well be advised to get treatment, which she rarely needs. This is a shame because 99.9% of the time DCIS is something a woman will die with but not die from!   

The problem is that women have been trained to be so afraid of breast cancer that they’ll often willingly sacrifice their breasts just to relieve their anxiety—or what a doctor friend of mine calls “surveillance fatigue.”  Plus, most doctors are trained to do something when they have a diagnosis. And, given the number of them who have been sued for “failure to diagnose,” it’s not surprising that so many women agree to sacrifice their breasts rather than live with what they are told is a huge risk, even when it isn’t.

For these reasons, it’s not surprising that the number of women having prophylactic mastectomies “just in case” has soared. The rates of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy more than tripled from 2002 to 2012 even though studies have shown that removing healthy breasts doesn’t improve survival. The celebrity trend of having double mastectomies preventively probably contributed to this rate as well.

As a caring physician, I’m certainly not going to be a Monday morning quarterback and ask a woman why she didn’t do more research about DCIS before having drastic and often unnecessary surgery. That would be pouring salt into her wound. On the other hand, this all too common situation makes me more determined than ever to help educate women about breast health, including the fact that far too many women are being over diagnosed and over treated for so called breast cancers that are not cancers. (By the way, the same thing happens with thyroid and prostate conditions!) 

5 Reasons Not to Have a Mammogram

One of the goals of Breast Cancer Awareness Month when it was started in 1985 was to promote mammography. Of course, many of the sponsors of Breast Cancer Awareness Month stood to profit from the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer (and still do). I have been warning women of this for over 20 years.

In November 2009, the United States Preventative Services Task Force said it recommended that women begin regular mammograms at 50 instead of 40, and that mammograms are needed only every 2 years instead of annually between the ages of 50 and 74. The Task Force concluded that the risk of additional and unnecessary testing far outweighed the benefits of annual mammograms—and I couldn’t agree more.

Even before the U.S. Preventative Task Force changed their recommendations, Danish researchers Ole Olsen and Peter Gotzsche concluded, after analyzing data from 7 studies, that mammograms often led to needless treatments and were linked to a 20% increase in mastectomies, many of which were unnecessary.

But as of today, most doctors still believe that mammograms are the best tests for detecting breast cancer early. This is simply not the case!   

Here are 5 reasons why I avoid mammography: Leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. A systematic review reveals that mammography screening leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment at a rate of 48.3 percent.  This is particularly true for women under 40, and possibly for all premenopausal women for whom mammograms are not very accurate due to denser breast tissue. In late 2012, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that 1.3 million US women have been over diagnosed and over treated over the past 30 years. I’m certain that number has increased since the article was written.Does not reduce mortality rate. Studies show that for every 2,000 women screened over 10 years, only one will avoid dying of breast cancer! And, 10 healthy women, who would not have been diagnosed if they had not been screened, will be treated unnecessarily.Exposes you to high levels of radiation. Radiation from a mammogram can be up to 1,000 times greater than a chest X-ray. In addition, some experts believe that ionizing radiation used in mammograms mutates breast cells. Plus, tight compression of the breasts can facilitate the spreading of already malignant cells (as can a biopsy). Premenopausal and pregnant women have breast tissue that is more sensitive to radiation. And it’s possible that these high levels of radiation could potentially cause an epidemic of radiation-induced breast cancers.Can cause increased anxiety. Your beliefs about your health can determine how healthy or sick you become. In our culture, we are led to believe that cancer cells are abnormal. This is not true, and it can cause many women to feel undue stress about their breasts. The truth is most of us have cancerous cells in our body that our immune systems are able to keep in check. But thinking you have breast cancer when you really don’t, can create a cascade of fear and anger, which has a chemical effect in your body. In fact, studies have shown the connection between stress, anxiety and cancer progression.  And one study shows that false positive screenings can have negative, long-term psycho-social effects for up to 3 years after a false positive finding.Mammograms are not prevention. Our culture uses mammograms as a fix but doesn’t encourage women to change their diets, exercise, stop smoking, and learn how to be in relationships that nurture them. These are the preventive changes that favor healthy breasts. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a revised recommendation in 2009 stating that women in their 40s should NOT necessarily have yearly mammograms and need to carefully weigh the risks considering their personal situation.A Better Screening Alternative to Mammography

There are other methods used for breast cancer screening including ultrasound and clinical breast examination. Additional modalities exist, but can be too expensive (MRIs), too invasive (biopsy), or not quite there yet, such as diffuse optical tomography (DOT), which shows promise and is still being studied. 

A better screening test and one that I recommend is thermography. Studies show that thermography identifies precancerous or cancerous cells earlier, produces unambiguous results (which cuts down on additional testing), and doesn’t hurt the body. I am saddened and surprised that thermography hasn’t become more popular.

Thermography uses digital infrared thermal imaging to map heat emissions and patterns in the breasts (or other areas of the body) that are specific to the individual. Heat is an indication that inflammation exists. Typically inflammation is present in precancerous and cancerous cells. When differences in temperature and heat patterns are noticed, thermograms can help detect cancer more accurately.

(Note: Inflammation is also present in torn muscles and ligaments as well as arthritic joints, which thermography can also detect)! 

My colleague, Philip Getson, D.O. has been a medical thermographer since 1982.

Dr. Getson explains how thermography works this way:

It is widely acknowledged that cancers, even in their earliest stages, need nutrients to maintain or accelerate their growth. In order to facilitate this process, blood vessels are caused to remain open, inactive blood vessels are activated, and new ones are formed through a process known as neoangiogenesis. This vascular process causes an increase in surface temperature in the affected regions, which can be viewed with infrared imaging cameras. Additionally, the newly formed or activated blood vessels have a distinct appearance, which thermography can detect.

Earlier Detection and Better Accuracy

The most promising aspect of thermography is its ability to spot anomalies years before mammography ever could. A 10-year study showed that thermal imaging can detect changes at the cellular level (before a tumor forms) 8-10 years before any other test.

Tumors typically grow for about 7 years before they can be detected by physical examination or mammography. This means that with thermography as your regular screening tool, it’s likely that you would have the opportunity to adjust your diet, beliefs, and lifestyle to transform your cells before they became cancerous. Talk about true prevention!

It’s also likely you could avoid an unnecessary biopsy—a 50% likelihood for women who have regular mammograms for 10 years or more—or being scared by a false positive result on a mammogram. 

Thermography’s accuracy and reliability is remarkable too. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, a great deal of research was conducted on thermography. In 1981, Michel Gautherie, Ph.D. and his colleagues reported that an abnormal thermogram was 10 times more significant as a future risk indicator for breast cancer than having a history of breast cancer in your family.

10 Reasons Why I Recommend Breast Thermography

As I have discussed, thermography allows malignancies to be detected early—before signs even become evident.

In addition to early detection and accurate test results, here are some other reasons I like thermography:

It’s a simple test. Thermography is as simple as taking a picture.Better for dense breasts. Women with dense breast tissue (such as younger women in their 20s and 30s), women with fibrocystic cystic breast tissue, and pregnant and breastfeeding females can use thermography. Thermography doesn’t identify fibrocystic tissue, breast implants, or scars as needing further investigation.Detects cell changes in armpit. The armpit is an area that mammography isn’t always good at screening.It’s painless. The pressure of a mammogram machine is equivalent to putting a 50-pound weight on your breast, which can be quite painful for most women. Women of all shapes and sizes can be screened without pain or discomfort using thermography.There is no radiation.  It’s well known that excessive doses of radiation can increase your risk of cancer. It’s ironic that the test women are using for prevention may be causing the very problem they’re trying to avoid in the first place! And this doesn’t even touch on the harm done to the body from unnecessary biopsies, lumpectomies, mastectomies, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and so forth. It’s safe for all women.  As I mentioned, thermography does not use radiation. There is nothing injected into the body. And there is no compression of sensitive breast tissue. So there is a low risk of damaging fragile cellular structures. It’s merely an image of the heat of your body. So, it can be effectively used by women of all ages, from pre-adolescence to postmenopausal women. Thermography is even safe for pregnant and nursing women! Can help with decision-making. Thermography can be used as an additional test to help women, and their care teams, make more informed treatment decisions.It’s cost-effective. Compared with other techniques for diagnostic imaging, thermography is relatively inexpensive. Plus, it is an effective diagnostic tool for men, women, and children.It’s fast. Thermography is a quick procedure ad provides real-time assessment and detection.It’s unique to you! The best part about thermography is that the results are unique to you. So, your imaging tests are being compared to your own previous tests.Choosing a Thermography Center

Dr. Getson says there are some things you need to know when choosing a thermography center.  For one, it’s important to note that not all thermographic equipment is the same. Be sure to ask what the “drift factor” is for their machines. Anything over 0.2 degrees centigrade leads to poor reproducibility. Also, the room in which the study is performed should be free of outside light and the temperature should always be at 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit with a proper cooling system in place.

Be sure that your thermography center of choice is backed by qualified, board-certified physicians who are specifically trained to interpret of these images. And be sure that the physician is available to explain and discuss all findings. Finally, make sure the images are “stat”-ed—or marked up—for future comparison.

One More Reason to Avoid Mammography

On Mar. 9, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  issued an update requiring all mammography facilities to comply with their rule that all women undergoing mammography screening for breast cancer be informed on the density of their breasts. I want you to understand what this means and not let it scare you.

The term “breast density” is a radiologic term. It does not indicate disease. Most women over the age of 40 have dense breasts. This is because they have more connective tissue. Less dense breasts typically have more fat. As I have stated above, mammography is not great at distinguishing between cancer and other breast tissues such as fibrocystic tissue or scars, which appear white on a mammogram, as does cancer. (Fat appears black).

This is why mammography is not a great test for women with dense breast tissue And a 2022 study showed that women with dense breasts have a higher chance of false positives with mammograms, which can cause undue stress and potentially unnecessary and harmful treatments.

The Best Breast Test for You

As with anything, I suggest you let your inner guidance help you in all decisions about your health. If you feel it’s best to get a bi-annual or annual mammogram, then by all means continue with them. Just be aware of the drawbacks and risks associated with the test.

And don’t be intimidated or feel guilty if you prefer to forgo mammography completely. A thermogram can tell you how healthy your breasts are rather than just screening them for cancer. When done properly, it also has the potential to truly detect breast cell anomalies long before mammography can detect cancer. This allows you to implement lifestyle changes that can improve the health of your breasts proactively.

 

The post Best Breast Cancer Screening Test appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

Many women approach menopause with the desire to take only “natural” hormones to help alleviate their symptoms. This causes quite a bit of confusion and miscommunication between doctors and their patients. That’s because all hormones can be marketed as “natural” or “plant-based,” and many pharmaceutical companies are capitalizing on women’s quest for “natural” hormone replacement therapy by marketing proprietary hormone products in this manner.

The problem is, while many of these hormonal molecules may have been derived from plant sources, most are not even close to being anything like human female hormones, nor do they perform as such in the body. Many proprietary HRT options marketed as “plant-based” and “natural” as well as purely yam-based creams fall into this category. Moreover, they are often not effectively converted or used in the body and sometimes have actions that are more deleterious than the symptoms they purport to quell or stave off.

What’s the Difference Between Natural and Bioidentical Hormones?

All hormones are “natural.” But what most women mean when they say they want natural hormones is that they are interested in using bioidentical hormones. The distinction is that bioidentical hormones are identical in their molecular shape, makeup, and structure to hormones made in the human body. This is what makes bioidentical hormones the perfect “keys” to unlock the body’s receptor sites. In other words, it’s the shape of the molecule not the source.

Today most women know that the “hormone” Premarin, which is marketed as Prempro when combined with the synthetic progestin Provera, is not bioidentical. My colleague, the late Dr. Joel Hargrove, used to say, “Premarin is a natural hormone if your native food is hay!” That’s because it’s made from conjugated mare urine. Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) does not occur naturally in nature. It is used as a substitute for bioidentical progesterone. Pharmaceutical companies do this because they cannot patent a naturally occurring hormone!

If you are in doubt as to whether a particular product offered to you by prescription is bioidentical, check the label. If it lists “esterified estrogens,” “progestins,” or “progestogens,” the product is not bioidentical. You can also do a search on Drugs.com to learn more about any pharmaceutical you are considering.

Why Bioidentical Hormones Work Better

Our hormones are comprised of a solid steroid base (cholesterol), decorated with “arms,” “legs,” and “tails” pinned on here and there. These attachments are what turn hormones into specialized molecules, allowing them to plug into receptor molecules throughout the body, turning on and off much of the cellular behavior that makes us tick.

When we take HRT that doesn’t fit the original design that our cells have evolved to recognize, the end result simply may not feel or act quite right. Hence, all those side effects, ranging from annoying and uncomfortable to downright dangerous, can occur.

Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, duplicate the structure of our hormones exactly as they are found in our bodies. This is why they work better in our bodies.

Which Bioidentical Hormones Should You Take?

The molecules naturally produced in the human female body for which we most often seek replacement include:

Estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3)
Progesterone
Testosterone
DHEA, an adrenal precursor to testosterone.

These truly “natural” hormones are available by prescription. Estradiol is available as Estrace pills, Estrace vaginal cream, or transdermals as the Vivelle Dot, and the Climera patch. Pharmaceutical companies have been able to patent the delivery system on these hormones, though the hormone itself is still bioidentical.  Estriol is available only through formulary pharmacies. Most women do fine with just estradiol plus or minus some progesterone. And sometimes a bit of testosterone, which is available by prescription as AndroGel.

What is the Best Natural Progesterone Cream?

Many women are confused about the use of progesterone creams, particularly regarding the efficacy of yam-based or other plant-based creams. Unlike soy and flax, which contain plant-based adaptogenic estrogens (phytoestrogens) that convert into usable forms in the body, wild yam (Dioscorea barbasco) cannot be converted into progesterone in the body.

The conversion can occur in a laboratory setting, however; therefore, wild yam is sometimes used to synthesize the progesterone found in progesterone creams. Some progesterone creams are yam-based, but the active ingredient is not the wild yam itself but the USP progesterone that has been added.

For this reason, while the body may absorb wild yam extract through the skin, which may then confer mild effects on menopausal symptoms, results of research on oral and topical applications of wild yam extract have not detected a significant change in progesterone levels in the blood.

If you want the beneficial effects of bioidentical progesterone, make sure the ingredients on the label include United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) progesterone. USP progesterone is available in over-the-counter 2% creams as well as by prescription. Choices for prescription-based bioidentical progesterone include Crinone Vaginal Gel in 4% or 8% concentration or in an oral micronized form such as Prometrium capsules.

How to Talk to Your Doctor

I have receive letters and comments from many women who have taken the initiative to offer their health care providers information on bioidentical hormones. If you want to use bioidentical hormones as hormone replacement therapy, here are the salient points to know and share with your doctor about bioidentical hormones:

They have been prescribed by doctors for many years.
They are readily available through formulary pharmacies.
They are easily titrated to suit a woman’s individual needs.
They are readily absorbed and utilized.
They are safe and effective.

Many formulary pharmacists work in partnership with physicians to provide individualized hormone-replacement solutions. You may want to call a local formulary pharmacy to consult with a knowledgeable pharmacist to develop your customized plan.

Additional Resources on Bioidentical Hormones

For information about compounded hormones or to locate a pharmacy that provides individualized prescriptions, visit the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding.

American Hormones, Inc., founded by Erika T. Schwartz, M.D., renowned expert in the field of natural hormones, offers concierge medical services, including high-quality pharmaceutical-grade hormones shipped nationwide and internationally. The website has extensive information on bioidentical hormones.

There are also many books that you can consult. My books, The Wisdom of Menopause and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom provide in-depth information.

I also recommend reading The 30-Day Natural Hormone Plan, by Erika Schwartz, M.D.; New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way: Alternative Approaches for Women 30–90, by Susun S. Weed; and TCM: A Woman’s Guide to a Trouble-Free Menopause, by Nan Lu, O.M.D., L.Ac., with Ellen Schaplowsky.

Why Bioidentical Hormones Could Be Banned in the Near Future

If you are reading this blog, you are most likely interested in natural hormones and other therapies as a way of maintaining your health. Perhaps you have used some or all of the bioidentical hormones I mention above. And maybe you even prefer these proven therapies over prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications to treat illnesses.

If so, here is something you need to know: On July 9, 2020, the FDA announced that bioidentical hormones are a “public health concern” and that a “ban is likely.” This statement could not be more false. All estrogens—bioidentical included—that bind to the alpha estrogen receptor (and testosterone too when converted) can act as growth promoters in estrogen-sensitive tissue, including breast and uterine tissue. This is why some women prefer herbal approaches instead. However, bioidentical hormones have long been found to be safer and more effective than their pharmaceutical counterparts. In fact, a review of the studies found that compounded bioidentical hormone therapy (cBHT) is associated with lower risks of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease and is more effective than synthetic or animal-derived hormones. And there are many women who have comfortably stayed on low doses of bioidentical hormones for years with great results.

So, why would the FDA issue this statement? The FDA statement came one day after the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) published a review of the “clinical utility” for cBHT. And, it may not surprise you to learn that the NASEM study titled “Clinical Utility of Treating Patients with Compounded ‘Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy’”—was sponsored by none other than the FDA itself.

In its review, the NASEM committee acknowledged that many women expressed a distinct preference for compounded bioidentical hormones. Yet, the committee recommended only allowing cBHT to be prescribed under very specific circumstances, such as a documented allergy to an FDA-approved BHT product. In addition, the committee said that just because a patient prefers to use bioidentical hormones, that alone is not enough to justify their use. In other words, the only way you will be able to get cBHT is if there is no other FDA-approved drug option. And, in the slim chance you are approved for cBHT, the dosage cannot exceed FDA-approved product dosages, even though dosing of compounded hormones is very different than the one-size-fits-all dosages of drugs.

The committee also recommended that the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) review select hormones for addition to the “Difficult to Compound” list, including estradiol, estrone, progesterone, estriol, testosterone, and the pellet dosage form of these. When an item is placed on the “Difficult to Compound” list, it can no longer be made at compounding pharmacies. 

Finally, the committee recommends increased oversight of “traditional” pharmacies by the federal government and the State Boards of Pharmacy to ensure quality standards for every cBHT preparation dispensed.

Why Are These Restrictions Happening Now?

The FDA has always had the authority to regulate the substances used in making compounded drugs. However, until now, the agency has chosen to leave oversight to the states. But in 2020, the FDA decided to regulate substances used in compounding. By doing this the FDA is, in effect, regulating the practices of medicine and pharmacy rather than regulating the drugs being prescribed and sold. In my opinion, this is a huge overreach of power, and it waves a big red flag for me during this time of increasing government control over our bodies and our lives.

Further, the committee’s calling for the “education” of health care providers and pharmacists who currently prescribe, compound, and dispense cBHT is nothing more than a thinly veiled threat against these practitioners, who will be forced to practice medicine the way Big Government and Big Pharma dictate or they risk losing their licenses and practices.

And as of September 5, 2020 it appears that the FDA is on a mission to ban other compounded natural therapies as well, including homeopathic remedies and natural substances, such as curcumin, that have been proven safe and effective for decades! 

When the government or its appointed “authorities” limit your abilty to obtain and use natural substances that are proven safe, it is nothing less than a full-fledged attack on your health and your health freedom. But it doesn’t stop there. These same agencies at both the federal and state levels are restricting medical practitioners from even discussing natural therapies with their patients and the public, including therapies that may reduce the severity and length of COVID-19 symptoms. Yet every time you go to the pharmacy, they try to give you a flu vaccine. In fact, for years legislators have been trying to pass new “informed consent” laws allowing children as young as 11 years old to decide for themselves whether to receive non-mandatory vaccines without parental consent or knowledge. This includes flu, HPV and the COVID-19 shots. We should all be outraged by this!

What You Can Do to Protect Your Health Freedom

Frankly, I trust Mother Nature’s millions of years of wisdom much more than I trust 50 years of biochemical wizardry from Big Pharma. If you feel the same way and want to be able to preserve your freedom of choice when it comes to your body and your health and stop the powers that be from banning bioidentical hormones and other safe, natural therapies (and restricting your doctor from even giving you advice about them), one of the best things you can do is contact your senator and state representatives. Another thing you can do is join Millions Against Medical Mandates, an organization fighting for your rights to medical freedom and bodily autonomy. The Children’s Health Defense is another wonderful organization founded and run by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Have you tried bioidentical hormones? What was your experience? Do you think the FDA is wrong in banning bioidentical hormones? Leave your comments below.

The post Why You May Need Bioidentical Hormones appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

For over 50 years, birth control pills have been pushed on women as the optimal method of contraception.  The reliability of other methods of birth control has been downplayed and women have even been told that our periods are “bad” or “dangerous.” They are also told that going on The Pill as early as their teenage years, and staying on it except to have children, will prevent long term health problems.

In addition, birth control pills are widely prescribed as a convenient way to put the perimenopausal body and it’s symptoms on autopilot until it’s time to move on to conventional hormone therapy (HRT).

Like most OB/GYNs, I’ve prescribed my share of birth control pills, even though I’ve long argued that there are safer alternatives that are just as effective when used conscientiously. As long as you don’t mind putting your ovaries on “automatic pilot” and ignoring your fertility, there’s nothing that comes close to the pill for sheer convenience.

When To Use Birth Control Pills

I prefer to keep my hormones tuned into the cycle of the moon and the planets rather than the energy of the pharmaceutical companies. However, birth control pills can have positive benefits for some women and may even be indicated as the best options in certain cases.

Here are a few reasons why women choose to use birth control pills during perimenopause:

Regulating heavy periods. Birth control pills can help regulate heavy, irregular periods that are common during perimenopause. This can be a Godsend for women in the 40s and 50s who have busy schedules or who simply do not want to deal with the inconvenience.

Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy. Many women, including women during perimenopause, don’t have conscious dominion over their fertility. Birth control pills can be a good option women for these women who are unwilling or unable to use more natural means to prevent pregnancy. 

Ease Fibroid Pain: All pelvic conditions tend to quiet down when the natural hormonal cycles are put to sleep by the steady flow of synthetic hormones. Birth control pills are a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin. Birth control pills help smooth out estrogen dominance that can cause fibroids to grow or become otherwise symptomatic. It can also help with symptoms related to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). But because birth control pills are synthetic, I only recommend them in these instances after natural approaches such as dietary changes or acupuncture have failed.

Alleviate Hormonal Imbalance. Taking low-dose birth control pills has been shown to alleviate some of the common symptoms women experience during perimenopause including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating and more.

Clear Up Midlife Acne. Birth control pills have long been used to help with teen acne. And oral contraceptives are also used to help with midlife acne during perimenopause when hormonal imbalance is the cause. Women with excess androgen (i.e. testosterone or DHEA levels that are too high) should choose a pill that has antiandrogenic effects. But note that the more antiandrogenic pills can have a negative effect on libido. 

Birth Control Pills and Your Sex Life

As I have always advised, there are inherent risks with all drugs. And birth control pills are no different. All birth control pills consist of synthetic hormones that mask our natural hormonal rhythms along with the messages about our health that they convey. And like most magic bullets, The Pill definitely has its downsides.

Ironically, one very significant downside is the fact that the pill can lower your sex drive! And since perimenopause can also cause unwanted changes in sexual function—including decreased sexual activity and problems with orgasm—birth control pills can make matters worse.

Birth control pills are comprised of potent synthetic estrogens and progestins that diminish the levels of the pituitary hormones known as follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). This results in the metabolic suppression of ovarian function, including both the suppression of ovulation and testosterone production!

In addition, birth control pills cause a marked increase in the production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the liver. The higher the SHBG levels, the more hormones are “bound” and thus unavailable for biologic effects on tissues. Studies have shown SHBG levels to be 4 times higher in Pill users than in those who had never used The Pill. This means that although a woman taking birth control pills produces testosterone in her body, it’s unavailable for normal use such as stimulating her sex drive.

Even more worrisome is that SHBG levels can remain elevated in women for at least 6 months after they stop taking the pill. But no one knows exactly how long this effect lasts. Many researchers are concerned that prolonged exposure to synthetic hormones induces gene-imprinted and increased gene expression of SHBG in the liver in some women who have used The Pill.

Other Side Effects of Oral Contraceptives at Midlife

For women who use birth control pills to alleviate the symptoms they experience during perimenopause it can be difficult to know if and when they actually transition to menopause. This is because the sugar pill week causes withdrawal bleeding (similar to a period), and this can continue even after a woman has transitioned to menopause.

For these women it makes sense to get an FSH test or other menopause test when they are on a break from taking The Pill, and to work closely with a knowledgeable health care provider.

Of course there are other potentially serious “side effects” as well, including headaches, PMS, blood clots, breast cancer, heart attacks, and stroke.

My Advice for Women Using Birth Control Pills

For women who choose to take birth control pills during perimenopause or at any other time in their lives, I highly recommend taking measures to support your body and it’s natural processes.

Here are some of the ways all women can mitigate some of the negative effects of birth control pills:

Take the lowest dose. Birth control pills have come a long way in the last 40-plus years. There are many different options at much lower doses than previous generations of oral contraceptive. Start with the lowest dose of the birth control and only use it for as long as necessary.Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Nutritional supplements can be a great way to support your body. While there is no magic bullet, I women take a high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin and mineral combination rich in B vitamins. The hormones in the pill change a large number of metabolic functions in your body, including putting increased pressure on the liver to metabolize those synthetic hormones. When you take a good multivitamin/mineral regularly, you provide your body with the materials it needs to do its job well. Do your research and choose one that resonates with you. Try it for a month or so. You many need to add additional supplements or change it up from time to time.Limit sugar. Healthy habits go a long way toward achieving healthy hormone balance and less severe symptoms during perimenopause. I have had many women tell me that they know when they eat chocolate or drink a glass of red wine they experience hot flashes. I recommend limiting sugar in all forms, including white foods and alcohol.Eat a low glycemic diet. A nutrient-dense, low glycemic diet with adequate protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates will support your body’s ability to produce sex hormones and has helped many women stave off weight gain from birth control pills as well as natural hormonal fluctuations that occur during perimenopause. Try to eat organic foods or the highest quality food you are able to afford, and drink filtered water. Avoid packaged foods with known toxins. Toxins are everywhere, including in our food and water supply. Taking birth control pills places additional stress on your liver and other detoxification pathways. In my book The Wisdom of Menopause I lay out my Menopause Food Plan in detail.Exercise regularly. Get some form of cardiovascular exercise, as well as weight bearing and stress reduction exercises such as deep breathing. Plan for pleasure. Your body is hard wired for pleasure. Whether or not The Pill decreases your libido, it is still possible to enjoy sex. You just need to plan for it! Many people operate under the erroneous belief that sex is supposed to be spontaneous, and that there is something wrong with your sex life if you plan for it. Nothing could be farther from the truth! If you want to have a good sex life, you have to pay attention to it. What we pay attention to expands. That means making time for arousal and sex, even if it means jotting it in your Day Timer! (By the way, that includes making time for self-pleasuring, too!)Try herbs to wean off The Pill. When you feel ready to try something more natural, herbs can be a great way to transition and avoid withdrawal symptoms. I’m a huge fan of Pueraria mirifica and my Amata products have helped many women. There are also many other menopause herbs you can try. You can start taking herbs while you are still taking birth control pills, and then after a month stop taking The Pill. Your body may take a little time to even out, and you may need to adjust your herbs as you go. This is normal. Be patient and work with a knowledgeable herbalist or health care practitioner.

Remember, each of us is unique. What works for one woman won’t work for another. And that includes birth control pills. What is your experience?

 

The post Should You Use Birth Control Pills During Perimenopause? appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..

I have often said that vibrant health is possible for everyone. And it’s not just about preventing disease, though that is a big part of it. Truly vibrant health stems from balance, for which our bodies innately strive. It’s important to eat right, exercise, avoid toxins, be in touch with your emotions, have a strong connection to others, and have faith in something greater than yourself.

Of course, every now and then we all need a bit of help. Whether we catch a cold, strain a muscle, or experience a more serious illness or stressful situation, self-care is important for day-to-day well-being. There are many ways to help your body achieve balance so that you can thrive. Some of my favorite supportive measures are ones that you use in your own life to achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 

12 Remedies for Well-BeingEat real food. Good nutrition is the cornerstone to good physical health. And, what you eat—and when—affects your emotions and spirit as well. The right food choices occur in both mind and body.  Whether you choose a specific diet plan, eat gluten-free, are a vegetarian, or don’t subscribe to any particular way of eating, you can benefit from cutting out foods that make up the standard American diet (SAD) and eat foods that reduce inflammation, heal symptoms, and improve your health. Some of my favorite “medicinal foods” include ginger, turmeric, garlic, herbs, dark chocolate, Manuka honey, coconut oil, olive oil, fresh and frozen fruit, and more. Food is truly good medicine. And you can eat to flourish every day! Exercise. Many women have had negative experiences regarding exercise at some point in their lives due to sports programs in school or our culture in general. The important thing to know is that to be physically fit does not require that you are good at a sport! There are many types of exercise that can help you achieve fitness and optimal health. Finding one or two forms of exercise that you like will help you stick with it. I love doing Pilates. I also make sure I get regular aerobic exercise. Strength training and stretching are also important for keeping everything moving freely. Finally, make sure you breathe! If you are unable to exercise, you can practice diaphragmatic breathing. This helps move lymph and stimulates your parasympathetic (rest and restore) nervous system. Sleep. Sleep problems are becoming more and more common, especially for women at midlife and beyond. And when you don’t get sufficient sleep, you not only become tired and irritable, but you can become more accident-prone and exhibit decreased concentration, efficiency, and work motivation. Plus, you make more errors in judgment when sleep-deprived, and your stress hormones rise, which over time can disrupt your hormonal balance and depress your immune system. There are many things you can do to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep, including avoiding caffeine and alcohol, getting regular exercise, ensuring that your room is completely dark, and turning off all electronics and your home Wi-Fi at least one hour before bed. Learn more ways you can get a better night’s sleep here. Supplement your diet. Taking high-quality nutritional supplements can contribute greatly to your health when you use them properly and for the right reasons. My supplement use has evolved over time and will continue to evolve as my specific needs change. For a long time, I have taken a pharmaceutical-grade vitamin and mineral supplement. Some other staples I like include magnesium and Vitamin D.  I have also used Chinese herbs formulated specifically for me, a joint supplement formula with curcumin. I even used coffee enemas for a while. In recent years I have added zinc, quercetin, and a nitric oxide-boosting supplement. Try flower essences. Flowers have been used for centuries for their therapeutic properties. They work by the principle of resonance in the subtle body where imbalance starts, so the action of flower essences is energetic, not biochemical. Each plant has a unique vibrational energy pattern, and the flower is the pinnacle of this energy. Sometimes flower essences work immediately; other times you may feel the effects unfold over days or weeks, layer by layer. Flower essences are safe, and there are many ways to use them to heal.  Learn more about flower essences. Use homeopathy. Having a homeopathic kit (or two) is a convenient way to nip symptoms in the bud, including flu-like symptoms, pain, and digestive troubles that always seem to occur at the most inconvenient times. To get familiar with how to use the therapies in a homeopathic kit, it’s good to have a book on hand. But you can always look up symptoms online. I recommend keeping a 30c and a 200c kit.  Homeopathy can be used for both chronic and acute symptoms without side effects. But you can also buy individual remedies instead of a full kit or to supplement a smaller kit. Take care of your fascia. Taking care of your muscles and fascia so important to how you feel. And there are a number of things you can do at home to keep everything moving. One of the easiest ways to massage your own muscles and fascia is with a good old-fashioned tennis ball. Really, any small to medium-size ball will do, depending on the area you want to roll out. You can also use a foam roller for larger muscles. Just Google “fascia self-release methods” to find techniques for keeping your fascia moving freely. Try Tapping. Tapping is like acupuncture without the needles, and you can do it yourself to help heal just about everything. When you tap on acupressure points using your fingertips, you’re tapping the energy points that are linked to a specific organ or system.  You’re literally putting energy directly into that meridian. Learn more about how Tapping works and how to perform it on yourself here. Put rituals to work. Rituals are habits with intention behind them. In other words, it’s all about mindfulness. So, whether you like to meditate, say affirmations, do mirror work, or simply make an afternoon cup of tea and relax every day at the same time, these rituals can be health-enhancing on many levels, including improving your memory, helping you sleep, lowering your blood pressure, and even helping to improve your immunity – and more. Learn about my 5 favorite rituals to include in your daily life here. Use Divine Love petitions. Divine Love is the most practical, concrete way to help ourselves heal. Divine Love is a powerful energy of unconditional caring that emanates throughout the universe from our Creator. Each of us is capable of sending and receiving Divine Love. Using the Divine Love petitions created by former engineer Robert G. Fritchie, you simply direct your energy toward your healing by bringing the Creator’s Love to you. It works for everyone because we are all made of energy that is influenced by our experiences and our thoughts. So just as our energy can manifest as disease, including addiction, it can be influenced to heal. Divine Love petitions give you the power to readjust your energy to maximize your health. Learn more. Reduce EMF Exposure.Harmful radiation is everywhere—from microwave ovens, smart meters, WiFi routers, and laptops to smart TVs, underground electric wires, wireless speakers, even hairdryers. And if you look out your window you can probably see 5G towers and even 5G antennae on top of nearby buildings. You can measure EMF levels in your home or office with an EMF reader in you want. But for most people eliminating devices that cause high levels of harmful EMFs may not be easy. So I suggest using grounded cords for all of your devices. And try to keep a safe distance from major sources of radiation (at least 2-3 feet). Be sure to turn off your WiFi at night and leave your cell phone in another room (not on your bedside table). One of my new favorite EMF blockers is Shungite, a powerful mineral that has many protective and healing qualities. Detox and Protect. Even if you chose not to get the COVID shots, it’s likely you’ve been exposed to the jab ingredients through shedding. Since no one really knows what is in the shots, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to use supplements that are proven to remove toxins and support your organs of detoxification.

Here are some supplements I recommend:

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)—500 milligrams per day.Vitamin C—5,000 mg per day.Vitamin D—5,000-10,000 IUs per day.Selenium—200 micrograms per day.Zinc—20-50 milligrams with food 2X per day.Zeolite or a similar product that binds to heavy metals.Nitric oxide boosting supplement.

In addition, you may want to try a parasite cleanse. Supplements that have antiparasitic properties include black walnut, oregano oil, artemisinin (wormwood), and probiotics. You can also use antiparasitic medications such as ivermectin and fenbendazole, which are now available online without a prescription. 

Share your go-to ways to stay healthy and thrive in the Comments section below.

The post 12 Strategies to Protect Your Health Every Day appeared first on Christiane Northrup, M.D..