As a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in hormonal health, many of the women that I work with come to me about sleep problems during menopause – d largely menopause and sleeplessness. It makes sense, as it’s one of the more common symptoms of the transition and, as you might imagine, one of the most bothersome. Life can be really tough when you’re tired all of the time. Sleep problems during menopause can vary. You can have problems falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or waking up way too early. Sleep apnea may also be a factor as well. The two questions women as ..read more

Fine lines and wrinkles aren’t the only changes that show up as you age. If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, you may notice that your skin is drier, flakier, more irritated, or itchier from head to toe. Here’s why these changes are happening, what exacerbates this problem, and what you can do about it. Skin Issues Are Common in Menopause Menopause and dry, itchy skin often go hand-in-hand. One 2018 study found that 72% of women who have reached menopause said that menopause impacted their skin1: 70% experienced a loss of skin elasticity 58% experienced skin dryness 46% experienced more f ..read more

If you’re experiencing hot flashes during menopause, you’re not alone. Most women — between 60 to 80% — experience hot flashes while going through the menopause transition.1 They usually last anywhere from six months to two years, although they can go on longer. That’s the bad news. The good news? Lifestyle choices can help to decrease or even eliminate hot flashes; a specific area to focus on, in terms of how to reduce hot flashes, is your diet. So, what specific types of food or beverages may cause hot flashes during menopause? Let’s dive right in. And if y ..read more

If you have experienced a hot flash during menopause, you’ve probably realized it’s unmistakable and quite remarkable. The sudden burst of warmth experienced specifically in the upper neck, chest and face, the increased heart rate, the flushed skin: hot flashes can range in intensity and happen out of nowhere. Whether you’re approaching menopause or in your postmenopausal years, know that you’re not alone: 60-80% of women experience hot flashes at some point during their transition.1 Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hot flashes, including what causes hot flashes, what m ..read more

Women strive for healthy skin throughout their lives, but maintaining the dewy, glowing look of youth can be difficult to achieve when menopause begins. What was once plump, smooth, and evenly toned skin, can turn dry and itchy with dark marks as aging takes its toll.  So, what’s really going on with your skin as you age, particularly leading up to and during menopause? As with most changes in menopause, changing hormone levels are often to blame, which affects skin thickness, moisture retention, and elasticity.1 Let’s look at some common issues that may crop up as we age and examine ..read more

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common gastrointestinal disorder that presents more often in women than in men and occurs in up to 15% of the U.S. population. This condition is usually diagnosed in people under 40 and typically is accompanied by abdominal discomfort, coinciding with changes in bowel movements.1 While menopause is not classified as a direct cause of this disorder, the hormonal fluctuations commonly associated with menstruation, perimenopause, and the menopausal transition may worsen IBS symptoms in some women. In this article we’ll talk about the connection between flu ..read more

If the recent trend of menopause vacations is any indication, it’s clear women don't want to let this transitional period hold them back from the things they love and enjoy doing the most, including travel.1 However, the changes that occur in your body during menopause, and the subsequent symptoms you may experience, could mean that your travel looks a little different during the time after your period stops. Here we include a few useful tips for women who travel during menopause to consider, that could help you better manage your symptoms and enable you to make the most of your time ..read more

It seems unexpected pregnancy is not just an issue for teens. In fact, women transitioning towards menopause must consider the possibility of pregnancy, as well. Did you know a British woman was reported to conceive naturally at 58 years old and deliver a healthy baby at the impressive age of 59! While this is surely not common, it is a wake-up call.   First, let’s address the facts. By strict definition, menopause means twelve consecutive months of no menses, without another explanation. Menopause is a hindsight diagnosis. As such, contraception of some sort is recommended for those who ..read more

It’s no secret that the menopausal transition can affect sleep — with sleep disorders impacting 39% to 47% of perimenopausal women and 35% to 60% of postmenopausal women, according to the National Sleep Foundation.1 But what’s less commonly known is that menopause sleep problems can also exacerbate other menopause symptoms. Brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, decreased libido, headaches - all of these are symptoms a woman may experience during menopause that could be made worse by a lack of quality sleep. Understanding the effects poor sleep can have on menopause symptoms and why ..read more

One of the unsettling symptoms that can happen leading up to, during, and following menopause, is changes to the hair and skin due to shifts and declines in the hormone estrogen. Changes like dry skin, wrinkles, thinning hair, and hair loss are particularly distressing, and it can feel overwhelming trying to find solutions that work. While there are plenty of products out there on the market that claim to support better hair and skin during menopause, one of the most popular supplements is biotin. What is Biotin? "Biotin is one of the B vitamins, specifically vitamin B7, bu ..read more