After menopause, when your periods have stopped, your body doesnt produce as much estrogen. For many women, the absence of estrogen brings on a host of unpleasant symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and painful sex to name a few.

Menopause is a natural phase, and symptoms eventually subside for most women. But for some, symptoms are severe enough that they need hormonal intervention.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most effective ways to relieve severe menopause symptoms. HRT may even offer protection against heart disease and bone loss from osteoporosis.

But that doesnt mean HRT is completely risk-free. Whether its right for you depends on your age, when you entered menopause, and other risk factors.

Heres a look at the risks and rewards to help you decide whether HRT is a good option for you.

Hormone replacement therapy involves taking a medication when your hormone levels drop. It contains:

HRT has a controversial history. Popularized in the 1960s as a way to stay youthful after menopause, HRT use peaked in the 1990s.

Then, in 2002, a study undertaken by the Womens Health Initiative linked HRT to cancer and cardiovascular disease. After the WHIs report was published, HRT use in the United States, the UK, and Canada dropped dramatically.

The WHI report has since been called into question. Newer studies have shown that HRT has lower risks and more benefits for women who start treatment before age 60 and within 10 years of menopause.

But many people are still hesitant to use HRT because of concerns about the risks it could pose.

Although theres still confusion about HRT, many researchers say the benefits outweigh the risks. Lets look at some of the best-researched benefits of HRT.

The experience of menopause is different for everyone. Some people have symptoms that are so mild no medical treatment is needed.

For others, the symptoms can be so severe that it interferes with their ability to go about their daily life. In this situation, its usually a good idea to talk with a doctor about hormone replacement.

HRT may help ease menopause symptoms in the following ways:

Numerous studies have confirmed that when HRT is started early, within 10 years of menopause, it can help protect your heart and vascular system from disease.

Before starting HRT, its important to undergo a physical exam to be sure you dont already have signs of cardiovascular disease. Your doctor will likely want you to have a check-up every year while youre on HRT to be sure youre maintaining good heart health.

During the transition into menopause, which can last several years, many women experience some depression.

Estrogen delivered through a skin patch has been proven effective in easing symptoms of depression. There isnt any evidence so far that estrogen can relieve depression after menopause.

Menopause increases the risk of bone loss, osteoporosis, and fractures.

Research shows that 1 to 2 years of estrogen-based HRT in the form of a skin patch may help improve bone density and protect the structure of your bones as you get older.

As you age, you tend to lose muscle mass. You need muscle mass for mobility, strength, and balance.

HRT can help prevent the loss of muscle. When combined with exercise, HRT may help increase muscle mass and strengthen your muscles.

According to a 2020 meta-analysis, estrogen-based HRT may have a protective effect against some neurological conditions.

In particular, it may play a role in decreasing the risk of Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease.

Women under the age of 60, or who entered menopause in the last 10 years, stand to benefit most from hormone therapy.

For older women, or women who started menopause more than 10 years ago, the risks could outweigh the benefits.

When the Womens Health Initiative published its report in 2002, doctors and patients began avoiding HRT out of concern that it could do more harm than good.

Although newer research has allayed some of those fears, there are still some risks to consider when deciding if HRT is right for you.

A 2020 study found that past use of HRT was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. This elevated risk was associated with both estrogen-only and combined therapies.

There is some debate about the risk of ovarian cancer. Some studies suggest that both estrogen-only and combined therapies raise your risk of ovarian cancer. Other researchers say ovarian cancer is only a risk with estrogen-only therapy, but not with combination therapies.

Estrogen-only HRT may also increase the risk of endometrial cancer (also known as uterine cancer). A 2016 review of 28 studies concluded that the following HRT regimens may all increase the risk of endometrial cancer:

Because of the risk, these therapies are generally recommended for women who no longer have a uterus.

Studies have shown that HRT (in pill and patch forms) may raise your risk of blood clots and stroke. This risk may be highest for people over 60 or who started menopause over a decade ago. The longer you take HRT, the greater the increase in your risk.

Because of this risk, health experts recommend the lowest possible HRT dose for the shortest period of time for people over 60 or who are 10 years past the onset of menopause.

Since estrogen builds up the concentration of cholesterol in the gall bladder, using HRT increases the likelihood of gallstones.

The risk is highest for women who use HRT longer than 5 years.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several categories of HRT. They include:

These hormone medications come in several different forms, such as:

Creams and rings supply hormones to a localized area, which help to limit the amount in your system.

According to the FDA, you may want to avoid taking HRT if youve had:

Talk with your doctor about whether estrogen is right for you, if you have:

If you dont want to use HRT to treat the symptoms of menopause, you might have some success with a non-hormonal treatment.

Some options that may help reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes include:

Talking about menopause symptoms can be uncomfortable, especially when the symptoms feel personal.

It may help to make a list of your concerns in advance, so you can refer to the list if you forget.

Tell your doctor about:

While menopause is a natural change, it does involve a drop in your estrogen levels. This can trigger various symptoms which, in some cases, can be severe.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help ease many symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It may also lower your risk of heart problems, protect your bones and muscles, and reduce depression.

HRT, however, is not without its risks, especially for women over 60 or who started menopause more than 10 years ago.

Talk with a healthcare professional about whether HRT is right for you and whether the benefits outweigh any potential risks.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy for Menopause - Healthline

HRT doesn't offer quick solutions and is a gradual process of changes, explains the experts fromPremier Health and Wellness. Plus, the experiences vary from person to person, depending on the circumstances and overall response to the treatment. So while some people may start seeing changes in just a few days, others may have to wait months to see any noticeable differences. According to the NHS, it can typically range from a just few weeks to about three months until you start feeling changes.

In case you still don't see differences after three months, it's likely that you need a different kind of route with this therapy and the doctor might offer other possible alternatives. The doctor may also adjust the doses to see if that helps with the HRT effects (viaBodyLogicMD). Overall, they advise HRT patients to maintain a holistic lifestyle alongside the treatment. This means that if you follow a healthy routine, such as exercising regularly, maintaining a well-balanced diet, going for follow-ups, and keeping your stress levels at a minimum, you may have a better chance to see positive results of HRTat a quicker pace.

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This Is How Long It Takes For Hormone Replacement Therapy To Start Working - Health Digest

Westford, USA, Sept. 12, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Growth of global hormone replacement therapy market is on the rise, as women seek to treat symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and decreased fertility. While HRT has been around for decades, the recent increase in popularity can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the increasing awareness of hormone-related health conditions and the increasing availability of treatments like testosterone therapy.

HRT can be helpful in treating many conditions related to women's hormones, such as hot flashes, menopause symptoms, and low estrogen levels. As per recent data from National Health Interview Survey, 18% of American women over 40 use HRT. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, HRT use has increased among postmenopausal women by 66% since 2001.

There are a variety of medications currently available in global hormone replacement therapy market. These include natural hormones like estradiol and progesterone, synthetic hormones like Climacteric HRT (testosterone), pre-mixed formulations like Prempro (etoposide, etomidate, and propranolol), the transdermal patch Igel, and the injectable Depo-Provera. Some patients choose to self-administer hormones by administering topical creams or gels or by taking oral tablets.

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The demand for HRT is growing due to the aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as Alzheimers and heart disease. SkyQuest study has shown that HRT can reduce the risk of developing these diseases by up to 50%. Additionally, HRT has been shown to improve overall sexual function and quality of life in women.

SkyQuest report on global hormone replacement therapy market provides insights on demand and supply gap, current products available in the market, top players and their market share, revenue, production capacity, and key catering regions, market dynamics, trends, opportunities, revenue pockets, pricing analysis, and consumer behavior.

Over 60 million Women are Taking HRT and the number is expanding at a CAGR of 4.3%

The total number of people opting for hormone replacement therapy has been on the rise for the last few decades. This trend has only been exacerbated by the increasing awareness of the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this increase in the growth of hormone replacement therapy market, including an increased understanding of the role hormones play in our health, as well as an increased availability of treatments.

In 2016, approximately 44 million women globally were using hormone replacement therapy. This number has continued to grow; with an estimated more than 60 million women were using hormone replacement therapy in 2021. As of August 2022, the total number of HRT prescription in the UK has almost doubled in the last few years and reached 500,00 a month.

Among those women who are using hormone replacement therapy, most are taking estrogen and progesterone together. This combination is often prescribed to help ease associated symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, anxiety, and decreased sex drive.

SkyQuest has done a thorough research and prepared a report on global hormone replacement therapy market. The report provides valuable insights on consumer base, consumer behavior, preference, end-use, demography analysis, and consumers by country and region, among others.

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Looming Shortage of HRT

Global hormone replacement therapy market is witnessing a strong shortage of products, as manufacturers of the medication struggle to keep up with the increasing demand. The shortage could last for months or years, depending on how long it takes manufacturers to restart production.

The hormone replacement therapy products are used to treat conditions such as menopause, obesity, and post-menopausal symptoms. These conditions can cause a decrease in the body's estrogen and testosterone levels, which can lead to a host of problems including heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and memory problems.

It has also been observed that the shortage of these products in the global hormone replacement therapy market may be that manufacturers are not able to produce them profitably. If profit margins are too low, companies may not be willing to invest in new production lines or to buy existing supplies of these drugs. This could lead to shortages and higher prices for these medications. This would provide women a temporary access to HRT products.

In early 2022, the UK faced immense shortage of HRT products. In fact, some of the pharmacist said that they were left with only 10 products, whereas it was 70 products before the shortage started observing. As a result, the health ministry in the UK allowed the pharmacists, for short term, to swap HRT prescription products

The global hormone replacement therapy market facing shortage of several products, including Ovestin cream (Aspen), Oestrogel (Besins Healthcare), and Premique Low Dose (Pfizer), as well as reported shortages of fertility treatment Glycerol suppositories, Clomifene, and and Piriteze and antihistamines Piriton.

SkyQuest has published a report on global hormone replacement therapy market. It offers insights on current market situation, key players, demand and supply gap, value chain analysis, pricing analysis, market share analysis, and competitive landscape.

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Major Manufacturers in Global Hormone Replacement Therapy Market

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Hormone Replacement Therapy Market to Hit Value of $29.65 Billion by 2028 | Looming Shortage HRT Products to be a Key Challenge - GlobeNewswire

Approximately 1.3 million women in the United States enter menopause every year. Many of whom do not get correct treatment because their symptoms are not attributed to hormonal changes.

On average, women enter menopause at age 51. Officially, the start of menopause is marked by when a woman has not experienced menstruation for 12 months, not at the point of symptom onset. This is of critical importance, because most women begin experiencing symptoms much earlier, during perimenopause, the precursor to menopause. Despite its reputation as a condition that impacts older women, symptoms often begin to surface during early to mid-40s or even in the 30s.

During perimenopause, the production of estrogen and progesterone may fluctuate significantly. These hormones are messengers that connect and then activate processes throughout our bodiesour brains, hearts, blood vessels, muscles, and bones. Some people have better diets, genetics, or exercise regimens that allow them to overcome these deficiencies better.

However, while some women may weather the fluctuations better than others, the consistent loss of hormone production is inevitable and this is when aging sets in and gradually leads to joint pain, memory/cognition decline, heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancers. Basically, all of the conditions that either hurt us or eventually kill us can be traced back to hormone loss.

Wide Range of Symptoms Span Physical, Emotional, Cognitive, and Mental

Most people recognize hot flashes and night sweats as symptoms of menopause, but there are actually over 30 symptoms that may manifest due to hormonal imbalances and fluctuations, including brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, loss of libido, and bloating.

Cognitive and mental symptoms, in particular, can have a significant impact on daily life but are less known, are more difficult to isolate than physical symptoms, and are often symptoms of other conditions as well. In many cases, a patient is unfamiliar with menopause and assumes her symptoms are due to something else.

For instance, hormonal changes brought on at this life stage can cause sleep disruptions, anxiety, changes in appetite, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and mood disturbancesall of which are also symptoms of depression. Seven of the 8 conditions listed by the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-8), a diagnostic and severity measure for depressive disorders, might actually be caused by perimenopause or menopause.

Consider that women of perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal ages use antidepressants more than any other group in the country. The CDC reports that antidepressant use is highest among women ageg 60 and over (24.3%), closely followed by women aged 40 to 59 (20.1%). Although antidepressants may mask 1 or more symptoms, this treatment is not addressing the hormonal imbalance at the root of the problem, which may be causing many additional symptoms as well.

Furthermore, misdiagnosis often occurs with physical symptoms. Over the years, I have treated female patients referred to cardiologists for irregular heartbeats, endocrinologists for weight gain, and marriage counselors for vaginal dryness and loss of libido. None of these specialists had prescribed effective treatments, because changes in hormone levels were not identified as the root cause.

Whats Your Comfort Level?

Menopause symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, and there is a wide variety of symptoms that manifest in unique ways in each patient. Couple this with the prevailing discomfort many physicians feel in discussing menopause and you arrive at misdiagnoses that may never be corrected.

Consider also that in the United States,80%of medical residents reported feeling barely comfortable discussing or treating menopause, and only20%of OB/GYN residency programs provide menopause training, mostly through elective courses.

This year, a survey conducted by Biote found that25%of women aged 50 to 65 years have never been told by their doctor (primary care physician or OB/GYN) that they were in perimenopause or menopause, even though 92% of the respondents had experienced 1 or more menopause symptoms in the past year.

Even more alarming, 4 of every 10 women in this survey reported that menopause symptoms had interfered with their work performance or productivity weekly. The impact of untreated or incorrectly treated symptoms on a womans quality of life, personally and professionally, can be devastating.

We Need Courage; We Need Open Minds

Countless patients have asked me how its possible that so little is known about menopause, a condition that will eventually have an impact on every woman. The truth is that there has always been a lack of research into womens health, and we are just now starting to realize how much we dont know.

There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to menopause. Some women may experience no symptoms, and others may find their symptoms linger for decades. Lifestyle changes and natural remedies work in some cases, while in others, hormone replacement therapy is needed to bring the body back into balance.

Studying the wide range of hormone therapies, multiplied by the various delivery systems, requires time and effort that many OB/GYNs choose not to invest, concentrating on other specialties instead. Theres no single formula, and yes, certain hormone therapies are not safe, but many are and they can be extremely effective.

Writing a prescription to mask a symptom is much faster and easier than embarking on blood tests and continuous evaluation necessary to achieve hormone balance. When patients complain about symptoms that arent being addressed, practitioners often dont know where to send them. I know this because my clinic is overwhelmed; for those of you who wish to specialize in menopause, there is a huge demand for your services. We welcome you, and we are happy to share our research, generated from years of success in treating menopause and helping women regain their quality of life.

What Im asking is for you to keep an open mind.

There is no shortcut to discover treatments in an area where research has been so egregiously neglected, but we can take steps. As a medical community, we should mandate that any primary care physician, internist, or OB/GYN with a significant base of female patients over the age of 40 must participate in a continuing medical education course on menopause.

And lets work together to eliminate the discomfort and stigma of menopause that hampers proper treatment. If you are seeing female patients aged 40 years and older, take a moment to proactively discuss menopause timing, symptoms, and treatment options. If you arent familiar with treatment options, refer your patient to someone who does specialize in menopause. Even a short conversation can go a long way to validate your patients concerns and assure them you are willing to discuss this life phase with compassion and care.

Continued here:
Contributor: In the Misdiagnosis of Menopause, What Needs to Change? - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

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Pharmac is fully funding progesterone, after feedback said it would improve quality of life and long-term outcomes for people experiencing menopause. (File photo)

Anyone who needs progesterone, including for the treatment of menopause symptoms, will now be able to access it fully funded.

On Thursday, Pharmac confirmed it was removing all funding restrictions from the hormone replacement therapy, which was expected to benefit tens of thousands of Kiwis.

Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone in the body. It is involved in pregnancy and produced mainly in the ovaries. It can also be made in a lab.

Progesterone levels can affect menstrual periods and menopause symptoms.

READ MORE:* The one hot topic nobody wants to talk about* Perimenopause: Lead up to menopause very uncomfortable and poorly understood* Paula Bennett on menopause: 'I thought I was too young and bullet-proof'* Why hormone replacement therapy is a boon for brain fog, depression and anxiety

Up until now, progesterone was only funded for the prevention of pre-term labour, in certain circumstances.

Pharmac director of operations Lisa Williams said the agency was pleased progesterone would be funded without restrictions when prescribed for any use following Pharmacs recent Budget increase.

This included the treatment of menopausal symptoms and for the prevention of recurrent early pregnancy loss.

Unrestricted funding of progesterone capsules (Utrogestan 100mg) would start from December 1, to ensure there was enough supply to meet demand.

RNZ

Some believe menopause is the only thing holding women in their 50s back from living the best days of their lives.

Utrogestan was Medsafe approved for use as hormone replacement therapy in combination with oestrogen in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus.

If progesterone were prescribed for other uses, it would need to be prescribed and used in accordance with Section 25 of the Medicines Act, Williams said.

Womens Health Action general manager Isis McKay said funding access to progesterone without restriction would be particularly beneficial for people going through menopause especially Mori.

Research shows that, despite experiencing the same level of symptoms relating to menopause, whine Mori are less likely to be using or to have ever used hormone replacement therapy.

While this may be due to myriad factors including personal choice we do know that inequity plays a part here, McKay said.

Kevin Stent

Sarah Connor, founder of Menopause Over Martinis, said the move was a welcome change. (file photo)

Cost is a significant barrier for people when accessing primary health care and medication, we also know there are inequities in how medicines are dispensed.

The founder of support organisation Menopause Over Martinis, Sarah Connor, said the move was really great news.

Connor has been taking progesterone at a monthly cost of about $33 for more than three-and-a-half years in conjunction with much cheaper Estradot patches ($5 for three months supply).

It was an issue of accessibility, especially for those taking progesterone consistently, she said.

Its quite a significant amount of money for people to have to spend on their health and wellbeing particularly amid the rising cost of living, Connor said.

For too long, its been an expensive necessity that supports someones quality of life.

Funding progesterone removed another obstacle for people.

Its a welcome change. It makes something really needed by a lot of people a lot easier to get.

While Pharmac funded a number of hormone replacement therapies, Mori and Pacific peoples were under-represented in accessing them, Williams said.

We want to ensure there is equitable access to menopause hormone treatment for Mori and Pacific peoples, and hope that this step of widening funded access to naturally derived progesterone will help with that.

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Progesterone to be fully funded for all who need it in 'a welcome change' - Stuff

Lethargy, bloating, mood swings, breaking out in spots many people who menstruate experience one or more of these symptoms in the run up to their monthly period. For some, they are merely an inconvenience, but for others they can significantly impact day-to-day life. Why do such symptoms occur, and are some people more susceptible than others? We gathered some personal perspectives and expert advice on how to cope with PMS.

The term pre-menstrual tension (PMT) was first coined in 1931 by an American gynecologist, Robert T. Frank, to describe symptoms experienced by people who menstruate at certain times during their cycles.

Although he described several physical symptoms, such as cyclical asthma, cardiac irregularity, and water retention, his main focus was on what he called nervous tension, which caused improper or undesired behaviors. He blamed this hysteria in the days before menstruation on an excess of estrogen.

Since then, doctors and researchers have discredited the notion of hysteria as a catch-all term used to describe almost any behaviors and conditions that defied the rules and expectations of a traditional patriarchal society.

The term PMT has consequently also fallen out of use. Instead, doctors now refer to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which can include both mental health and physical symptoms.

And an excess of estrogen is not to blame levels of both estrogen and progesterone decrease dramatically after ovulation, so they are low in the days leading up to the period. However, even now, the exact cause of PMS is not entirely clear.

The cause of these physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms is thought to be a result of hormonal changes and fluctuations, involving estrogen and progesterone, during the menstrual cycle especially 12 weeks before a period begins.

Dr. Sheryl Ross, OB/GYN and womens health expert at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA

What we do know is that a large number of women experience a range of symptoms in the days leading up to their period.

Most of these are a normal part of the cycle, but for some, they can interfere with day-to-day functioning.

According to Dr. Ross, [p]art of being a woman is experiencing the physical and emotional craziness that happens 1 to 2 weeks before your period.

Mood swings and emotional upheaval are common symptoms of PMS. Symptoms can include extreme depression, fits of anger, and overwhelming anxiety. Crying spells, angry outbursts, and feeling worthless are part of the PMS mood swings, she added.

Psychological symptoms are common. For most, they are inconvenient, but they do not affect day-to-day functioning, as 20-year-old Flora* told Medical News Today: Like clockwork, the day before my period, Ill be really moody and short-tempered. [] Often, I forget my period is due, but find myself getting emotional for no reasonthen the next day my period comes. The week after my period, I feel great.

Many women notice physical symptoms too. Dr. Ross described some of the changes that might occur in the days leading up to a period:

Breast tenderness, weight gain, food cravings, acne, abdominal bloating, bowel changes including gas and diarrhea, feeling hungrier, fatigue, menstrual cramps, insomnia, and headaches are some of the physical changes [] for women suffering from PMS.

Not all women will get all the symptoms, as Flora told MNT: Physically, I tend to break out the week before my period, and I feel bloated and puffy for a few days.

Immy*, 25, agreed: The week before my period, I get really sore breasts, my skin gets oilier and I get skin breakouts.

However, for some people, the physical and psychological symptoms can be severe and debilitating, which may be a sign of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Dr. Ross advised that PMDD should be considered if these emotional changes become disruptive with work or your personal life.

Existing research suggests that approximately 80% of those who menstruate experience at least one premenstrual symptom every month.

A new study from Archives of Womens Mental Health has now found that, among 238,114 survey respondents worldwide, 28.61% reported that premenstrual symptoms interfered with their everyday life each cycle, and an additional 34.84% reported that premenstrual symptoms interfered with their everyday life some cycles.

The survey respondents for this study were users of the Flo Health mobile app, which is a menstrual cycle tracking tool. The respondents were aged between 18 and 55.

The most common symptom every cycle, reported by a staggering 85.28% of respondents, was food cravings.

Mood swings and anxiety affected almost 65%, while fatigue was reported by 57%. Around 63% of respondents said that their symptoms interfered with their everyday life at least some months, with more than 28% reporting interference every cycle.

The researchers suggest that their data indicate that premenstrual mood symptoms are a key public health issue globally.

Dr. Jennifer L. Payne, who led the study, commented that [t]here are a number of treatment strategies that are available to treat premenstrual symptoms that interfere with a womans everyday functioning.

Increasing awareness of how common these symptoms are, and that if they impact functioning that there are treatments available, will help women improve their quality of life, she noted.

Some symptoms, such as absentmindedness, low libido, sleep changes, gastrointestinal symptoms, weight gain, headaches, sweating or hot flashes, fatigue, hair changes, rashes, and swelling, were more commonly reported by older survey respondents.

However, as many of these symptoms are associated with perimenopause, they may not all be a result of PMS.

Rachel, a 53-year-old company director, agreed: PMS was slightly more noticeable when I was younger now perimenopause gives lots of symptoms all the time, but Im on HRT [hormone replacement therapy] so maybe that helps? When I was younger I definitely used to get spots [] but I think that stopped when I had my babies.

Although the large sample size and international cohort in the study are its main strength, the authors acknowledge that their figures may overestimate the incidence of symptoms as the data were self-reported. At the same time, users of the app are also more likely to be aware of and report premenstrual symptoms.

If PMS is interfering with your day-to-day life, Dr. Ross recommends seeing a health professional: Dont ever be afraid to see your healthcare provider for support and validation. Its important to discuss any ongoing and disruptive symptoms related to your period with her/ him. Diagnosis and treatment options are available to make PMS manageable.

However, many people can manage their symptoms without medical intervention. One effective method, according to Menstrual Matters, a nonprofit online information hub, is to track your moods for two or three cycles and identify any pattern in your mood changes.

Lottie, 22, believed that getting in tune with her body has really helped: Tracking my cycle on an app has made me realise that my symptoms, such as fatigue, bloating and spots are completely normal. So now, I let it happen rather than [fight] against it.

If I allow myself to rest when I need to in the day or two before my period, I feel much better and also find that my period is much easier, she added.

Knowing ones body can be helpful for many people. A 2013 study found that the reframing of symptoms as normal change, behavioral coping strategies, and self-monitoring, can effectively reduce premenstrual distress.

Dr. Ross also advised that modifying diet may alleviate symptoms. Foods that make PMS symptoms worse include excessive amounts of dairy products including cheese, yogurt, milk and butter, foods high in sodium, red meat and other fatty proteins, caffeinated drinks, and processed foods, she told us.

Eat foods that are natural diuretics to reduce the bloating, water retention, and swelling, such as celery, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon juice, garlic, melon, and lettuce, she advised.

A Saudi Arabian study suggested that to alleviate PMS symptoms, people who menstruate may want to eliminate sweet-tasting food and caffeine-containing beverages, particularly coffee, from their diet.

Lottie has found this works for her: Avoiding coffee in the few days before and at the start of my period really helps alleviate symptoms.

Exercise can also be helpful for many people. One study found that just 8 weeks of exercising three times a week for 60 minutes significantly decreased PMS symptoms in young women. And Dr. Ross agreed: Regular exercise 4-6 times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes is helpful to reduce bloating and helps with water retention.

If Im already a bit down in the run-up to my period, I find I will feel much more negative and self-critical. If Im in a happy place mentally and physically, doing more exercise, the PMS and the period arent nearly as bad.

Immy, 25

Rachel also commented that increased stress affects her: Im lucky, I dont usually have any major symptoms, just a slight change of mood and feeling more irritable. Often I dont realise Im premenstrual until I get my period then I realise its why Ive been snappy. However, its worse when Im stressed as I probably have more to be irritable about!

It is well known that stress and stressors directly affect our health, whether we want to admit it or not. Stress not only affects our body physically but also affects our emotions and behaviors. Stress exacerbates depression, anxiety, weight loss or weight gain and foggy brain. PMS, along with common stress symptoms, can make the 1 to 2 weeks prior to your period debilitating.

Dr. Sherry Ross

And these observations are backed up by research. Those with anxiety are more likely to experience symptoms of PMS. Another study found that mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety symptoms, were significantly higher among those who also reported PMS.

According to some research, being aware of PMS symptoms makes you more likely to report them and connect physical and psychological symptoms to your monthly cycle.

However, as Dr. Sally King notes for Menstrual Matters: This does not mean that the menstrual cycle does not affect mood in any way. It just means that the vast majority of menstruating people do not experience moderate to severe cyclical mood changes, and in the vast majority of people who menstruate, mood changes are not restricted to the premenstrual phase only.

So perhaps a little more understanding and awareness of bodily changes is the answer. As Lottie commented: Now that I feel more aware of my cycles, I embrace the lows knowing there will be upcoming highs, such as around the time I ovulate when I feel full of energy.

I believe we should stop viewing menstruation negatively and learn to celebrate our cycles and our bodies, she added.

* Disclaimer: We have changed some contributors names to protect their identities.

Originally posted here:
Premenstrual syndrome: Real-life impact and coping strategies - Medical News Today

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that's important for many things like the repair of all body tissues, maintaining a healthy immune system and more. While our body needs it, we don't naturally produce it so eating foods high in vitamin C like broccoli, brussel sprouts, strawberries, bell peppers and tomatoes is vital for overall health. But some prefer to take supplements, which can have its advantages, but there's also some risks as well. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Sean Marchese, MS, RN, a registered nurse at The Mesothelioma Center with a background in oncology clinical trials and over 15 years of direct patient care experience who shares what taking vitamin C daily can do.Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Marchese tells us, "Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that eliminates harmful particles called free radicals in the body. It reduces oxidative stress caused by long-term inflammation after injury or infection. A daily vitamin C dose can also help the production of other natural antioxidants, including vitamin E and tetrahydrobiopterin."

Marchese explains, "The human immune system helps fight off infections, destroy foreign bodies and reduce disease, but it still needs help from vaccinations and a diet rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. Vitamin C improves the cellular effects of immune cells such as phagocytes and neutrophils. Daily vitamin C can also help clear dead immune cells after infection, preventing harm from a buildup of immune activity byproducts."

According to Marchese, "Most healthy people don't require daily vitamin C supplements, but a supplement can reduce the risk of some cancers in people who suffer from vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is also helpful for cancer patients who cannot get all their nutrients through oral intake or have increased inflammations or infections from cancer treatment. Evidence suggests vitamin C supplements could help lower the risk of pancreatic, esophageal and prostate cancers."

"When taken alongside other recommended vitamins and minerals, vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts," says Marchese. "It's unlikely that vitamin C supplements can reverse age-related eye damage, but they may help reduce the risk of decreased visual acuity later in life."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Marchese states, "Daily vitamin C intake isn't recommended for everyone and can increase the risk of some adverse effects. Research has shown that high doses of vitamin C every day increased kidney stone risk by over 20% compared to those who took less than the daily recommended amount of 90 mg."

Marchese says, "A daily vitamin C supplement is typically safe, and excess amounts are eliminated via the urine. However, unnecessarily high levels of vitamin C can accumulate in the body over time and cause issues such as stomach cramps, vomiting, heartburn and diarrhea. Increased levels of vitamin C can interact dangerously with other medications, such as statins (a type of anti-cholesterol drug), the blood-thinner medication warfarin and hormone replacement therapy, such as estrogen."

Heather Newgen

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When You Take Vitamin C Every Day, Here's What Happens Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

COLUMBUS, OhioThe Ohio Supreme Court sprung into the national spotlight during the now-going-on-one-year redistricting battle. But the court is much more than just that, which is why advocates are urging voters to care about the open seats.

With three seats available this November, Democratic voter Barbara Freidman Yaksic said it is essential for voters to use their voices to elect progressive candidates to the court, so they dont need to rely on a Republican justice to side with fairness.

"There is no honest and open and full debate because Republicans can ram through whatever they want," Freidman Yaksic said. "That's not how our democracy is supposed to work."

Republican voter John Tamburello agrees the court needs to be fair, saying if voters elected a Republican justice, that justice should reflect their views.

"A rogue, very rogue current Supreme Court with their redistricting, they caused so much chaos with what they did," Tamburello said.

Chief Justice Maureen OConnor, a Republican, had crossed party lines and consistently sided with the Democratic justices on redistricting, upsetting her party. In the end, a federal court sided with the Republicans overruling the high court.

As the redistricting battle showed, the Legislature was able to ignore and override the decisions and orders of the Ohio Supreme Court, and voters have asked whether these judges ultimately matter. Jonathan Entin, a constitutional law expert and professor at Case Western Reserve University, adamantly said yes.

"The Ohio Supreme Court is the final word on almost every question of Ohio law," Entin said.

The court is normally listened to, he said. Plus, it is the most powerful branch of the state, allowing the justices to decide on abortion laws, gun access and housing issues.

There are a few major issues that could be drastically altered depending on the makeup of the court.

Redistricting

The Ohio Redistricting Commission (ORC) continually passed maps that were struck down as unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Ohio Supreme Court rejected legislative maps for being unconstitutional and gerrymandered for a fifth time in May. In the bipartisan majority statement, O'Connor said the Republicans "engaged in a stunning rebuke of the rule of law" by refusing to create legal maps.

The House map has a 54-46 GOP advantage, Entin said. The Senate has an 18-15. Nearly 20 of the Democratic House districts and about 10 in the Senate are considered political toss-ups. None of the Republican districts are.

The defiance of the court made Democrats and progressive voters angry, saying the excessive gerrymandering was disenfranchising voters and cheating the system.

The Republicans on the commission did not want racial data taken into account, because that would be a violation of federal law, according to Senate President Matt Huffman.

"Probably from the perspective of the law, it is really kind of unconstitutional to look at race as a part of the factor to make decisions, but things have changed," Geography Professor at Ohio State University Dr. Ningchuan Xiao said. "The Voting Rights Act, actually because of that act, the Supreme Court actually allows certain states to design districts now to focus on race."

Democrats also allege that numerous candidates were specifically drawn out of their districts due to being a competitor for the Republican candidate or for angering the GOP.

One News 5 exclusive showed an Ashtabula candidate getting drawn out of her district, despite her property being in it, and being forced to withdraw after winning her primary.

RELATED: Democratic House nominee in Ohio drawn out of district by a few feet, must withdraw from race

This redistricting mess is still an ongoing issue.

The Ohio General Assembly was supposed to redraw congressional district maps and then the ORC was supposed to move on it, but the August deadline came and went with no action.

Republicans have denied all of the claims of corruption by the Democrats.

What is the benefit of waiting? Having a Republican-dominated U.S. District Court decide, but that isn't all.

"One possible explanation is that [the Republican members of the ORC] were trying to run out the clock this year knowing that there would be at least one new justice next year who could make a difference in what the court would wind up doing with the maps," Entin said.

If more Democrats were on the Supreme Court, they could've actually held the ORC in contempt of court and had an undeniable majority. If more Republicans were on the Supreme Court, they could've just approved one of the first legislative maps to begin with.

Abortion

Arguably the most time-pressing issue at this point, the Ohio Supreme Court gets to decide if abortion laws are constitutional or not.

Democrats want the court to rule that the six-week ban is a violation, but right now, it's highly likely they don't have the votes. Republicans want to keep the law in place, so they want to keep their majority power.

In fact, the court just dismissed a case about the current six-week abortion ban. This was a request by abortion providers, who said Ohio's highest court was taking too long to discuss it.

Now, a state court in Hamilton County is taking over. This could lead to the law being blocked while it is under review.

Whichever way the court leans, that could impact future, more restrictive abortion bans, as well.

LGBTQ+ rights

There are numerous bills in the General Assembly that critics say discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community and keep those individuals from getting health care and representation in schools.

The Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, H.B. 454, would ban gender-affirming care for LGBTQ+ minors. This includes hormone blockers, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), surgical procedures and potentially mental health services. This bill would also force school counselors to tell parents if the student is even considering their gender in a way that is deemed "non-conforming." A News 5 investigation revealed the lawmaker who proposed it believes transgender people "become trans" from being "groomed."

RELATED:Leaked audio shows Ohio rep. introducing bill to limit affirming care had never spoken to trans community

The Save Women's Sports Act, H.B. 151/61, would prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in athletics with cisgender girls and women. The bill as written would require genital inspections for anyone "suspected" of being trans.

RELATED:Ohio GOP passes bill aiming to root out 'suspected' transgender female athletes through genital inspection

There is also Ohio's version of Florida's "Don't Say Gay, Don't Say Race" bill, as it is called by educators, activists and Democrats, since it explicitly controls and curbs discussion on sexuality or gender in schools. This could range anywhere from mentioning a relative who is gay to conversations in AP courses about queer activists.

RELATED:Lawmakers hear Ohio's version of Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill

These bills, in combination with anxiety around the U.S. Supreme Court and their beliefs on LGBTQ+ rights, could make the seven members of the Ohio Supreme Court more important than anyone in the state.

Lawmakers are worried other rights may be in jeopardy after SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, ending protections for abortion.

In a concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas argued that SCOTUS should also reconsider landmark cases such as the right to marry someone or engage in private sex acts with someone of the same sex. In addition, he also suggested looking into birth control decisions.

The U.S. House decided to move on this in July. The Respect for Marriage Actwould make sure that every legal marriage would be considered legitimate and would prohibit any state from discriminating against same-sex couples married in other states.

The bill would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which only recognized marriages between one man and one woman. This federal law from the 1990s was struck down after the Supreme Court ruled on Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015. The court ruled that same-sex couples in the U.S. have the same right to marry as different-sex couples.

If the Supreme Court was to overrule Obergefell, Democrats are worried that the Defense of Marriage Act could go back into place for the states that hadn't already legalized same-sex marriage. This act would also make sure interracial marriages were kept legal, as well.

In a News 5 exclusive, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) feared the marriage equality act he is cosponsoring doesn't have the votes to pass the Senate.

RELATED: Ohio's Sen. Rob Portman worries Senate doesn't have the votes for marriage equality act

Democrats want to keep rights for the LGBTQ+ community and don't want to limit trans youth from health care or force any middle or high school girl to have a mandatory genital examination if she is "accused" of being trans, but some Ohio Republicans have shared different beliefs.

There are dozens of other issues, including tort liability, worker's compensation and consumer protections.

If you feel your vote doesn't matter

There's reason to be cynical about a lot of things in politics, Entin said, but if voters are completely cynical about everything, people who have nothing but an axe to grind are going to dominate the whole process, get their way and everyone will be worse off for it.

"Ohio politics isn't reassuring," he added. "But on the other hand, there are a lot of places where politics is pretty discouraging and to some extent, if people give up, then that's what we're going to get."

Voter suppression is real, and so are gerrymandered districts, he added. That being said, there are some positions that don't rely on districts such as statewide races like U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general and, of course, the Ohio Supreme Court.

"These three seats are so very important to the freedom of Ohio at just about every level," Tamburello said.

Friedman Yaksic said no matter how bleak it feels, voting matters.

"If you want representatives that reflect your views, then you need justices on the Ohio Supreme Court that will enforce those constitutional amendments," she said.

Justices are supposed to be elected as nonpartisan candidates, but for the first time, the candidates' party affiliations will be listed on the ballot. This could help people vote with more than just name recognition and provides transparency for the ballot, each voter said.

Nothing with ever be "magical" in a political system, but voters get the kind of government they deserve if they give up, Entin said.

"If we participate, if we try to get the best government we can, maybe we get a good government," he said. "Maybe we won't, but you can't win if you don't play."

This story just scratches the surface of the importance of the Ohio Supreme Court. Stories coming soon will include who the candidates are and what they stand for. Want to learn the latest on where the candidates stand? News 5 is here to help. We created a 2022 midterm elections guide,which is updated daily based on the changing candidacies.

The State Board of Education in Ohio also has five seats open, and with education policy emerging as a topic of discussion the past year, educators are urging more people to learn why these races are important. Read more here and watch Morgan Trau's report below.

Why you should be paying attention to Ohio Board of Education races

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

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Why you should be paying attention to Ohio Supreme Court races - News 5 Cleveland WEWS