The severity of menopause symptoms are associated with the season in which you are born.

Sounds pretty far-fetched right?

Evidently, it’s not.

A few years ago, Italian researchers conducted a study of 2,541 women who were undergoing menopause and not taking HRT. Information was collected on physical, vasomotor (i.e. hot flashes, night sweats) and psychological symptoms (e.g. anxiety, depression), which were then rated by severity and grouped by the season of birth. The researchers also controlled for factors that could potentially interfere with the study results, including age, number of years in menopause, body mass index, education, occupation and smoking habits.

The findings, which were published in the Menopause journal in 2006, demonstrated a relationship between season of birth and menopause symptoms. For example, women born in Autumn had the least severe symptoms while women born in Spring had the most. This same association held true for anxiety and depression and physical symptoms.

This got me thinking. If season of birth affected how severe menopause symptoms were, could it also affect when menopause started.? So, I delved a bit deeper.

Turns out that a study published in the journal Maturitas in 2006 shows that menopause onset is also seasonally-regulated.  Among 2,436 women studied, the onset of menopause was significantly more frequent in Winter (32.5%) than in Spring (20.8%), Autumn (20.3%) and Summer (26.2%).

I’m taking an informal poll on menopause onset and its relationship to seasons. I’d love your feedback and participation so please, spread the word!

[Image:  Underwood, Philly Shadow, quilted silk]

Time for a bit of Wednesday inspiration.

On tap is a post that I am dedicating to author Patti Digh, whose wonderful ’soul-help’ book ‘Life is a Verb‘ has been inspiring and challenging me for about a month now. If you’ve not heard of Patti or her book, I encourage you to take a look; her writing is fresh and the book is something you’ll revisit over and over again.

I hope to interview Patti for an in-depth exploration of her vision, as there are a few chapters that seem to be to be directed to mid-life. In the interim, here’s perfect little taste, an amuse bouche if you will.

“Today - not tomorrow - is the day to jump,” writes Patti Digh.

How often do we stall in a comfort or discomfort zone because we do not trust ourselves and our instincts?

We stay in an unhappy relationship rather than facing the truths underlying that unhappiness. We remain in uninspiring careers, live in a place we’d prefer not to live, continue to forge new relationships that are unhealthy or put x off ‘until tomorrow’ because, as Patti writes, “we need more data…about how and where and with whom we will land.”

How often have you found yourself looking for the “more” before cashing in your chips?

I believe that fear of the unknown can and should be turned into excitement about what’s just around the corner. This may sound odd coming from me; those who know me best will attest to the fact that I don’t “do” change well and never have.

And yet, I started my own business when many were encouraging me to stick with the old and seek another job in a field that I found very stagnant and stale. I left my home - NYC - after 20 years and moved to Maryland (even though I was terrified and tearful and completely sure that I was out of my mind). I finally took the carrot that my Ex had been dangling in front of me for months and ended an unhealthy and unhappy relationship.

At times, the road has been hard and painful and heart wrenching.  But every single time that I’ve trusted my deep instincts, my gut feelings, and finally said “enough,” I’ve landed on my feet, happier, more fulfilled, and hopeful.

There is no better time like right this second to place fears about the unknown into a small box and close the lid. Remind yourself that the fabric of life is interwoven with all that is good and bad, that the small challenges are what forge growth, and that it is very possible that you are, as Patti writes, “casting your own shadows.”

So today, I am challenging you to take a leap of faith, and ‘jump out of your own shadow.’ Do something outside your normal comfort zone. Visit a new place that has been on your list of “must sees.” Volunteer at a non-profit organization whose activities stoke your creative fires. Join an alumni group and start networking for new career opportunities. Say hello to the cute guy at the gym who smiles at you everyday. Or better yet, try a social media community such as Twitter or Linkedin and take inspiration from what the rest of the world is challenging themselves to do. Take a class, set some limits… trust yourself.

Patti Digh says to remember that you are never more than three minutes from the ground.

Jump.

Bet you’ll be glad that you did.

Cool Sets that is!

I was contacted by a consultant with Cool Sets to “test drive” some of their wicking clothing (lounge and sleepwear). You may recall that wicking fabric draws moisture away from the body and promotes absorption so you can stay cool and dry. Great for hot flashes and night sweats.

Cool Sets uses a proprietary CoolBalance moisture wicking fabric that is designed to wick away the moisture and regulate your temperature.

Okay, sounds very promising, right?

I perused the online catalog and picked out a few items. Not quite my style but a lot cuter than what I’ve seen when searching the web for wicking clothing lines. I’m also not a silk kind of girl when it comes to loungewear, even when it comes to sexy lingerie. So, admittedly, I was a bit skeptical.

Well, skeptic no more! This has got to be some of the most comfortable fabric I’ve ever worn! It’s silk like in texture but comfortable like cotton. Not cold, not hot, not scratchy, not slippery. Just right. Goldlilocks would have had a field day!

I had a rather warm evening over the weekend and the Cool Sets cami and shorts kept me dry and comfortable.

Okay, I’m starting to sound like an advert, right? But I do recommend that you take a test drive like I did.

I do have a few complaints though…

• The sizes seem a bit “big,” so a small is well, more of a medium if you ask me.
• The shorts, while cute, have a drawstring, which I’m not too crazy about.
• I wish that the clothing was geared towards the fashionista in me.
• The cami is truly adorable, but I’d lose the flower embroidery - too matronly.

Despite these minor distractions, I am thoroughly impressed. I’ve not had to wash them yet but the company recommends that you either machine or handwash. They can be laid out to dry or placed in the dryer. A note of caution however; the use of fabric softeners or dryer sheets can interfere with the fabric’s ability to absorb moisture.

Thanks Cool Sets for the test drive! Now, if somebody could only design some nice stylish clothing that looks like cotton but acts like a wicking fabric. Dare to dream!

Think that menopause and declining estrogen is poisoning your heart?

Italian Researchers say “nay” to this long-standing myth, and report that aging, not menopause, is the cause of increased risk of heart disease in women after menopause.

In a new study published in the Journal of Hypertension, researchers evaluated a number of heart disease risk factors in 9,364 adults who were followed for almost 19 years. At the start of the study, these factors, which included blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar, blood fats and organ damage were found to be simillar between menopausal women and men, but different between post- and pre-menopausal women.  However, when they made adjustments for age, this difference disappeared.

In other words, the difference in heart disease risk between pre- and postmenopausal women with similar risk factor profiles only existed when age, and not estrogen status, was accounted for.

Additionally, over the long-term, postmenopausal women had greater rates of high blood pressure and illness and death from heart disease compared to their pre-menopausal peers.

This may explain why estrogen has not been shown to prevent heart disease.

Now we just need to find ways to prevent heart disease in older women. Here’s a good start!

Of course, regular exercise and heart-healthy diet wouldn’t hurt either!

[Inspiration. William-Adolphe Boughereau, 1898.]

As you beautiful readers know, Wednesday posts are devoted to debunking myths about menopause symptoms or treatments, or about providing a bit of inspiration to get you through the mid-week hump.

Today, I’m directing you to a guest post that I wrote for the ever-inspiring blog, Fresh Focus. Fresh Focus is dedicated to personal development and strategies for getting things done at work and in life. I am honored that Kris asked me to post there.

Life at Flashfree is about change so I decided to share an important lesson that I recently learned about “youthful experience.”

Not only do I encourage you to take a look but also, to poke around the archives; you might find some equally useful tidbits that resonate.

Enjoy! And Happy Wednesday!

Did you know that women can actually discern symptoms of menopause from the natural symptoms of aging?!

Evidently, study results released at the North American Menopause Society’s annual meeting this week suggest that 91% of women can correctly define menopause and that 99% and 96% of women, respectively, know that menopause causes night sweats and mood swings.

Any of you who’ve experienced one or both of these symptoms won’t find these results surprising. I certainly didn’t.

Sarcasm aside, there are some overlaps you should be aware of. In the survey, 84%, 72%, and 77% of respondents associated vaginal dryness, urinary stress incontinence and weight gain, respectively, strictly with menopause, even though they can also be caused by aging as well.

So, why should you care?

Knowing the reasons behind the symptoms can help drive informed health decisions about the best strategies and steps you can take to combat them. What’s more, because it can be difficult to tease apart the effects of aging and the effects of menopause, NAMS can use these survey results as a call to action for more funding and research.

All in all, a good thing, right?

[Raphael, The Three Graces, 1501-1505]

Midsection weight gain is a hard pill to swallow, especially when you’re doing all the things that experts keep telling you to do, like watching your diet, exercising and limiting indulgences. In fact, it’s been reported that women in their midlife years gain as much as 1.1 pounds yearly over a five-year period, which places the odds of gaining weight about twice the average rate.  So what gives?

Last week, I wrote a post on the importance of moving your body. Several experts chimed in and added that regular weight training and a change in how and what you eat might help to stave off those pounds. In the particular report cited above, researchers wrote that the one pound a year weight gain equated with only an extra 10 calories a day and suggested that small, sustained changes in daily physical activity and diet can prevent further weight gain. Okay, that sounds reasonable, right?

Another study, published last year in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, showed that weight gain and changes in waist circumference in midlife are associated with both regular aging and  changes in ovarian function.  The good news in this study was that while waist circumference increased over a 6-year period, the rate of increase slowed one year after the final menstrual period.

BTW, the reason for the buildup of fatty of tissue has to do with balance. That is, as estrogen production declines, the body starts to rely on secondary production sites, such as body fat and skin. So, fatty tissue starts function like an endocrine organ instead of simply a passive vessel for energy storage. The body also struggles to hold onto bone mass and may compensate for its loss by holding on to extra body fat longer.

The news isn’t all bad however.

That ‘Old Black Magic’ has struck again!

Results of an animal study in the journal Maturitas show that black cohosh extract attenuates body weight gain and accumulation of intrabdominal fat and also lowers glucose levels to the same extent as estrogen. The effect on blood fats in this study was a bit more complex; black cohosh extract was associated with higher LDL-cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride levels and estrogen, the exact opposite. The researchers remain uncertain how these effects ultimately influence weight gain as well as associated health risks, such as the metabolic syndrome.

These study results undoubtedly need to be replicated in humans. But they do suggest a potentially viable strategy to battle weight gain: black cohosh.

So, perhaps the trifecta in overcoming menopausal weight gain is diet, exercise and black cohosh. Only time will tell.

Flaxseed evidently has the potential to reduce the frequency and potential of hot flashes associated with menopause.

Last Summer, researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN reported results of a small trial enrolling 29 postmenopausal women who were experiencing at least 14 hot flashes weekly for a month. None of the study participants were taking estrogen or herbal preparations for their symptoms, but for six weeks, ingested 40 grams (~2.8 tbs) daily of crushed flaxseed.

Not only did the frequency of hot flashes decline by 50%, but overall severity of hot flashes decreased by 57%. Study participants also reported improvements in their mood, joint or muscle pain, chills and sweating, all of which significantly improved their quality of life.

The researchers concluded that flaxseed is potentially an effective treatment for hot flashes and imparts overall health and psychological benefits.

The downside? 50% of women experienced mild or moderate bloating and 29%, mild diarrhea.

Flaxseed is a plant-based estrogen source (photoestrogen)  that contains antioxidants with weak estrogen properties (lignans) and omega-3 fatty acids. It is also an excellent source of fiber. Various studies have not only touted its benefits for heart disease prevention but also suggest that it might boost the effects of conventional breast cancer therapies.

Most health experts recommend ground flaxseed over whole because it is more easily digestible in this form. It should be taken with ample amounts of water to avoid any gastrointestinal blockage. Flaxseed can also inhibit the ability of the blood to clot after injury so if you’re taking any heart medications or planning surgery, you might want to speak to your doctor before trying it. Additionally, it may exacerbate the effects of herbs that interfere with clotting such as:

• Danshen
• Devil’s Claw
• Eeuthero
• Garlic
• Ginger (in large amounts)
• Ginkgo
• Horse Chestnut
• Panax Ginseng
• Papain
• Red Clover
• Saw Palmetto

Personally, I don’t care for the taste of flaxseed.  However, it can be baked or added to other foods. In fact, some of these recipes look pretty tasty.

Do you take flaxseed? How has it helped your menopausal symptoms? Any recipes you’d like to share?

Cleaner water means longer life….and more hot flashes.

Seriously though, did you now that the World Health Organization estimates that unsafe water and inadequate sanitation kills some two million people annually, mostly children under the age of five? What’s more, over a billion people worldwide don’t have access to safe drinking water?

Chlorination of drinking water here in the U.S. is one of the most significant public health advances, says the Centers for Disease Control. Not only has it virtually wiped out waterborne diseases but it’s also extended Americans’ life expectancy from 47 years of age in 1900, to 78 years of age in 2006.

In honor of the American Chemistry Association’s 100th Anniversary celebration of chlorination, let’s raise a clean glass and say cheers! And then maybe give ‘em a few jeers; afterall, an increase in life expectancy means we’re all living longer (and longer through those menopausal years)!

Seriously though, we’re pretty lucky to have clean drinking water. Even when we’re sweating and swinging.

Baylor University researchers report that hypnosis might represent an effective intervention for hot flashes in women with breast cancer.

Makes one wonder if mind-body treatments might represent a viable alternative for all menopausal women?

In the study, which appears in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, 60 breast cancer survivors with hot flashes received 5 weekly hypnosis sessions or no treatment.

The women who received hypnosis reported a 68% decline in hot flash scores. Significant improvements were also observed in anxiety levels, depression, the degree to which hot flashes interrupted daily activities and sleep.

One topic which I’ve not yet addressed on Flashfree is the association between breast cancer treatments and menopause. Indeed, adjuvant therapy, which is a term used to characterize chemotherapy and/or hormonal treatments after breast cancer surgery, often launches as many as 10 to 50 percent of women younger than 40 and in 50 to 94 percent of women over 40 into early menopause. In fact, treatments for breast cancer can cause women to go into menopause in a matter of days.

The reason is that chemotherapy can damage the ovaries and affect their ability to produce normal levels of estrogen. Depending on the type of agent used and a woman’s age, it is possible for regular ovarian function to return. But for some women, early menopause may be permanent. Importantly, hormone replacement is not an option in breast cancer survivors due to an increased risk of recurrence. This makes alternatives even more important.

The results of this specific study resulted in a $2.6 million grant to Baylor from the National Institutes of Health to fund a broader study. According to Baylor, this is the largest grant ever awarded by NIH for this particular type of research.

The larger trial will enroll 180 women who entered menopause naturally and who are experiencing hot flashes. It will compare hypnotic relaxation therapy plus self-hypnosis techniques to another type of mind-body treatment.