All Entries in the "Menopause & Andropause" Category

Defy Maturity ~ Live Life to its Fullest!

Maturity can be a good thing, especially when it comes to fine wine, cheese or ripe, delicious fruit. But as a state of mind, maturity can feel a bit lifeless and boring. We may envision an older “mature woman” who lives a bland, insipid lifestyle clinging to her beloved dog and superficial television shows. Of course there’s nothing wrong with that chosen reality, as it may bring much joy to that type of person who finds peace and security in self-contained mediocrity.

On the other hand, immaturity may be regarded as being silly, reckless, foolish – laughing at flatulence, dancing on bubble wrap, or staying up past midnight. “Why can’t you just act your age?” says the uptight ol’ sourpuss who never smiles. Act my age? Why would I want to act my age after just spending $60 on hair coloring to cover my grays? I just barely figured out what I want to BE when I grow up – HAPPY! That’s it. Happiness is the key to staying young at heart and steering clear of becoming a grumpy old curmudgeon.

Herbal Remedies for Better Health & Hormone Balance

Newsflash: Conventional medicine is responsible for 255,000 deaths per year in the United States, and almost half of those are from adverse reactions to prescription drugs. Just because a pharmaceutical drug has been studied in a laboratory, regulated by the FDA and prescribed by a doctor, it does not necessarily mean that it is safe – especially mixing with other Rx drugs.

Of course modern medicine can be safe, effective and has certainly saved millions of lives. However there are so many ways to heal our bodies naturally and with fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals. Since the beginning of humankind, cultures around the world have utilized herbal remedies for various therapeutic purpose. Now known as Phytotherapy, medicinal plants are used to heal and restore balance and wellness within the body — an ancient art that is slowly gaining more respect and interest in the West. Some plants have truly amazing healing properties and certain botanical extracts and blends can help increase energy, improve your mood, reduce anxiety, help you sleep better, and naturally balance hormones to name a few benefits.

Secret Pleasures of Menopause

I’d like to share an amazing resource with you from one of my favorite authors, Dr. Christiane Northrup, an internationally known expert on women’s health and wellness. Dr. Northrup explains the “7 Secret Keys That Open the Door to Wonderful Sexuality and Sensuality around Menopause”. Here is her advice, excerpted from the book, The Secret Pleasures of Menopause.

Become an Ardent Explorer of Your Own Pleasure

Maybe you’d like a romantic evening out with your partner on a regular basis. (Who wouldn’t?) Ask for it! And be very specific about what would please you. You’ll be surprised how willing your partner will be to help make it happen once you request it. (If you don’t believe me, just try it. What do you have to lose?) Even if the two of you just go for a drive together to look at the stars, you’ll be cultivating more joy.

Could He Be Going Through MANopause?

Women may not be the only ones who experience a “life change” in their bodies and emotions as they become older. Some doctors claim that many of their male patients report similar symptoms that women endure in perimenopause and menopause. Some men experience decreased energy and muscle tone, disinterest in sex, impotence, depression, and fatigue. They also report weight gain, hair loss, memory loss, irritability, hot flashes, night sweats and trouble sleeping. Andropause, also known as male menopause or MANopause, is the result of a gradual drop in testosterone which is an androgen, giving the condition its name. After men reach their sexual prime in their early 20’s, they begin losing testosterone at a rate of one to two percent a year, and noticeable effects can usually be felt by age 35.

Weekend Forecast; Wet or Dry?

A woman’s body can be just as unpredictable as the weather. When it comes to preparing for sexual activity, sometimes women can become naturally lubricated fairly easy – other times it can be quite difficult. It is important to engage in plenty of foreplay to encourage emotional connection and physical arousal. However, there may be times when a woman remains uncomfortably dry despite the best efforts of her partner to stimulate the receptive area. It can be embarrassing, inconvenient, and even painful if you don’t have a ‘back-up’ personal lubricant handy. Using a lubrication product can be fun and stimulating, especially when you introduce it into your foreplay. You’ll enjoy applying it on one another, adding a slippery pleasurable prelude to intercourse.

What causes a woman to produce natural lubrication at certain times and not others? We women know that during our ‘younger’ years, vaginal dryness is generally not a problem. When we become sexually aroused, our natural lubrication increases significantly in preparation for easy penetration. Located just inside the vaginal opening are numerous glands within the labia minora, or inner lips, which secrete these lubricating fluids. This is a very sensitive area with high concentrations of blood vessels and nerve endings. Deeper inside the vaginal canal are the microscopic Bartholin’s glands which also release lubricating fluids. Approximately two weeks after menstruation, production of these fluids normally increases with a noticeable discharge from the cervix. This produces a mucous during ovulation to support potential conception.

Women Get Better With Age – and So Does the Sex!

Just like fine wine, women get better with age – and so does the sex. During our younger years, social time is spent either in excessive party-mode or completely focused on academic and personal development. Curiosity about sex is generally fulfilled by amateur experimentation, books, films, and/or random hearsay from others. Our first intimate relationships mainly consist of trying to figure out what we’re doing and becoming comfortable with sharing our bodies with another person. Most young women feel extremely insecure about how they look, as they tend to compare themselves to all the other girls – even airbrushed supermodels in magazines and on TV. Lacking self-confidence and experience, teenage girls and women in their early 20’s are generally not as knowledgeable or skillful in the bedroom, unable to fully enjoy the passion and potential of intimacy.

Earlier in life, sex is mostly hormone driven, but as a person ages it becomes much more about sensuality. Traditionally, couples begin their families in their 20’s and spend the next 15-20 years consumed with domestic duties, at soccer practice and other kid-focused activities. The men are focused on building their careers with the added stress of providing for their families. Women may also try to juggle their careers and motherhood. Couples struggle to stay in balance with playing house, being good parents, and basic daily survival rather than nourishing their relationship. A hot steamy sex life tends to be pushed to the side because of family dynamics.

Herbs to Boost Energy, Vitality & Libido

For thousands of years, Cordyceps Sinensis (mushroom) has been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine. Found in the Himalayan regions of Tibet and Nepal, sprouted from caterpillar carcasses, this potent fungus is used to treat numerous health conditions while boosting sexual vigor and overall vitality. As legend would have it, cordyceps was discovered by Himalayan shepherds who observed a drastic increase in liveliness and mating activity among their herds after eating this particular mushroom. Soon emperors were sending for it to boost their own libidos, stamina and energy. Tibetan monks also used cordyceps for mindful meditation, to strengthen their immunity, and fortify their lungs, heart and kidneys, as well as to promote longevity.

Coryceps is regarded as a lung tonic and has been widely used in Chinese hospitals to treat asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory conditions. It is also used by athletes to increase stamina, strength and endurance. Cordyceps attracted attention among athletes around the world in 1993 at the World Track and Field Championships in Stutgartt, Germany after nine Chinese runners, who regularly took cordyceps, broke six world records. For optimum stamina levels, many athletes have since utilized cordyceps to naturally enhance their performance. For greater lung capacity and for better breathing, cordyceps is said to keep the lungs healthy and can help prevent illnesses.

Struggle with Sexual Satisfaction?

Why is it that some women struggle with attaining sexual satisfaction? Why do some women have difficulty achieving orgasm? It has been reported that over 50% of women have some concerns about their sexuality and are not completely satisfied in this area. Most women have a sexual ‘problem’ at some point or other in their lives. Some issues are short-term, and some may be long-term concerns. As women get older, or have been in a relationship for a long time, some women may feel a lack of interest in sex. Perhaps they have less sexual desire and fewer fantasies, or maybe feel reluctant to engage in sexual activity because of certain insecurities or hang-ups about physical intimacy. Most of these issues generally boil down to issues in personal relationships and emotional components which, in turn, dictate how comfortable you are with your own sexuality.

A sexual ‘problem’ could be anything distressing for you and/or your relationship with a partner. However, if you perceive a symptom that doesn’t necessarily trouble you or your partner and puts no strain on your relationship, then it is not considered a sexual ‘problem.’ A lack of interest in sexual intercourse is not necessarily a cause for alarm, as there are many other ways to enjoy intimacy and connection. But if your partner desires sex much more often than you and you are simply uninterested and fake your way though for appeasement purposes, it will affect your relationship on many levels. It is important to be true to yourself and have a mutually enjoyable sex life.

Embracing Menopause

Menopause is certainly not a time to pause from men. In fact, we need to look to our male counterparts for support through this difficult physical and emotional process. It’s important for them to at least try and understand what some women go through during this transitional time in their life. Most women experience the typical irregular menstrual periods and hot flashes, which is more of a personal inconvenience. However some of the symptoms do affect our personal relationships such as sleep disturbances, mood swings, low libido (sex drive) and/or vaginal dryness, as well as numerous other discomforts. We need to educate ourselves how to naturally deal with this inevitable process, as well as help our partner and family know the best ways to be there for us through this trying time.