Monthly Archives: October 2013

Fashion Flash

Fashion Flash Fall Edition

Happy Fall Everyone, or Autumn.  Days are getting shorter and it is getting colder here in the Northeast.  Below are some great tips from our Fashion Flash Bloggers to keep you warm and cozy for the season.

Kari from Fab Over Forty talks about how Brows are an important way to keep looking youthful. Fab Over Forty shows us a new eyebrow pencil that works beautifully to fill in brows.

Staness from Menopause Makeover reports that,

Drinking red wine in moderation may reduce a risk factor for breast cancer, acting as a natural weapon.  A recent study found that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes slightly lowered estrogen levels while elevating testosterone in premenopausal women who each drank eight ounces of red wine – just under two glasses (eight ounces) – daily for about a month.

Cindy from Prime Beauty thinks she may have taken a sip from the fountain of youth. See what new skincare product has her turning back the clock!

Welcome to Sylvia at 40+ Style!

40+ Style gives tips on how to wear an A-line skirt over 40 and shares the results of the latest ‘translate the runway’ look dressing challenge with 40+ women rocking their A-line skirts!

Positive Aging Expert Barbara Hannah Grufferma thinks too many women over 40 skip right past the THIRD PILLAR of OVERALL FITNESS . . . putting themselves at risk for, well . . . read the post to find out!

Mirabai Holland, Women’s Fitness Expert tells you what you can do to become more flexible


Still Blonde after all these YEARS brings you “The Perfect Menopause Gift” … Menopause Parking.


How do you look like a million bucks without spending a million bucks? It’s easier than you think!  Style expert Deborah Boland shares her tips for looking fabulous when money is tight.

Before you paint your face into a cat or a ghoul, see these Halloween makeup tips from Jackie Silver at AgingBackwards.com.

Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog  offers  a truly effective  skin care plan for less than $1/day.

Posted in beauty

Painful Sex? How to Relieve Vaginal Dryness

Many women suffer in silence during painful sex, unaware that there are treatment options for vaginal dryness, and its effects are far-reaching.

Vaginal dryness affects a woman’s health, intimate relationships and quality of life. I know because it affected my health and love life.

It occurs most often after menopause, but it can also develop during breast-feeding or at any other time your body’s estrogen production declines.

Estrogen, important for maintaining vaginal health and lubrication, is the hormone that actually plumps up the cells in the vagina. When estrogen levels decline, the vaginal walls can become thinner, less elastic and dryer.

The result is vaginal dryness, also known as vaginal atrophy (VA), which is a chronic progressive condition contributing to painful intercourse.

According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), up to 75% of menopausal women may experience vaginal dryness as they age. I was not alone, but I must admit no one was talking about it, other than my extremely supportive husband.

Are you suffering from vaginal dryness?  Or is your partner?

Symptoms include:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Burning and itching
  • Irritation or soreness
  • Pain and bleeding during intercourse or urination
  • Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal

When a woman experiences pain during intercourse, it is no surprise that her desire for sex may decrease.  A physical condition such as vaginal dryness can avalanche into an emotional response affecting both relationship and self-esteem.

With severe vaginal dryness, the tissues of the vagina become dry and sometimes fragile and inflamed. As a result, they are more prone to injury, tearing, and bleeding during sexual intercourse or even a pelvic exam. Over time, especially in the absence of regular intercourse, the vagina may also become slightly shorter and narrower. The resulting discomfort can intensify to the point where sexual intercourse is no longer pleasurable or even possible.

Not only does the physical act of intercourse become a challenge, the increased emotional stress can be a double whammy for a healthy sexual relationship.

The Partners’ Survey, which is a part of a larger global survey called CLOSER Research (Clarifying Vaginal Atrophy’s Impact OSex and Relationships) sponsored by Novo Nordisk, revealed that 65% of men worried that sex would be painful for partners, and almost a third of both men and women reported that they discontinued having sex with their partners as a result of discomfort.

This survey, which included 4,167 post-menopausal women ages 55 to 65, found that 57% of women avoided being intimate, and 65% said they lost their libido.

The good news is the majority of the 4,174 men in the survey were concerned about what was going on with their partner. Unfortunately, this taboo subject has partners turning off the lights at night rolling over, confused and frustrated.

Margery L.S. Gass, MD, NCMP, NAMS Executive Director says,

“This topic is so sensitive that, according to the International Menopause Society, 70% of women say their healthcare professionals have only rarely or never raised the subject with them.”

James A. Simon, MD, NCMP, FACOG, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, says,

“In my experience treating patients, most women are not comfortable talking about vaginal symptoms, especially related to pain and discomfort. The word ‘vagina’ is somewhat taboo, so it’s no wonder no one talks about vaginal atrophy.”

Taboo or not, vaginal dryness is manageable and treatable.  The North American Menopause Society recommends:

  • Vaginal Lubricants: Decreases friction during intercourse.  There are many over-the-counter (OTC) water and silicon-based options. Water-based lubricants are popular and easy to wash off. Silicon-based lubricants tend to last longer, but are not as easy to wash off.
  • Vaginal moisturizers: Non-hormonal OTC, generally used twice a week.  Moisturizers are absorbed by the skin and adhere to the vaginal lining, keeping it moist.
  • Regular sexual stimulation: Intercourse promotes blood flow to the genital area, helping to maintain vaginal health.
  • Developing expanded views of sexual pleasure: If vaginal penetration (intercourse) is difficult or uncomfortable, consider so-called “outercourse” options such as extended caressing and massage.
  • Local prescription therapy: For vaginal dryness and discomfort that does not respond to over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers, low doses of local vaginal estrogen therapy are very effective and safe. Local estrogen increases the thickness and elasticity of vaginal tissues, restores a healthy vaginal pH, increases vaginal secretions, and relieves vaginal dryness and discomfort with intercourse.
  • Systemic prescription therapy. Low doses of systemic estrogen in the form of a pill or skin patch or gel used to treat hot flashes are also effective for treating vaginal dryness, although some women might benefit from adding local treatment to their systemic treatment to relieve discomfort. If only vaginal symptoms are present, local therapy as described above is recommended.

During my menopause transition, I was very aware that vaginal dryness was a common symptom and assumed this was a natural part of aging.  I made assumptions that if my skin was aging, why would my vagina be any different? Then, I became aware of the many options for treatment.

I started out using OTC silicon-based lubricants and that worked for a few months.  It solved the friction problem, but not the pain.  Then, I tried vaginal moisturizers and the pain was relieved for a few more months. However, since vaginal dryness tends to be a progressive condition, the situation only got worse for me.

Per the Partners’ Survey, 56% of women and 57% of men whose partners used local estrogen therapy reported that sex was less painful.  This was true for me.  Painful sex disappeared once those vaginal cells were plumped up with local estrogen therapy, restoring my love life.

Recently, I asked Wen Shen, MD, Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, about the safety of vaginal hormonal treatment:

“Vaginal estrogen comes in very low doses, as light as ten micrograms used twice a week.  There have been premarketing studies that show women who use vaginal estrogen do not increase their systemic estrogen levels above the post menopausal level.  After treatment, the levels actually go back down again to really low levels.

The vaginal skin and bladder are very well treated with vaginal estrogen, and they have more elasticity and thickness, so that the vagina can serve as a sexual organ again and the bladder can be less irritated.”

It is important to discuss vaginal dryness with your healthcare provider to confirm that you are not suffering from a vaginal infection.  If left untreated, it can lead to long-term complications in some women.

According to Dr. Shen:

“Vaginal dryness is one of the easier symptoms of menopause to treat that carries the least amount of risk.”

I was so happy there was a solution to vaginal dryness that I started talking about it with my girlfriends.  Many confessed that they too suffered from extreme dryness during intercourse and were losing interest in sex, leaving their partners feeling confused and distanced.

My friends and colleagues in the menopause community started calling me “Vagina Girl” because I always asked, “How’s your vagina?” It was perfect when asked to join the GLAM TM (Great Life After Menopause) team to bring awareness to vaginal dryness.

My message to woman, and to the men who love them, vaginal dryness is treatable. Talk to your healthcare provider. If you are menopausal or suffering from hormonal changes, you don’t have to suffer in silence.

Vaginal health is more than sexual health – it is good women’s health.

By Staness Jonekos, Co-Author The Menopause Makeover

Medical reviewer: Wendy Klein, MD, FACP

Disclosure: I am a member of GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause), a women’s health initiative sponsored by Novo Nordisk. www.VaginalDiscomfort.com

Posted in hormones

Fashion Flash

Fashion Flash – The Best in Fashion, Fitness and Beauty for the Over 40 Woman!

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I’m delighted to be hosting Fashion Flash this week. Learn how to apply false lashes, dark lips and products for fine hair. Struggling with Menopause? Our bloggers have tips for weight loss, navigating the physical change and even a menopausal joke!

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Can women over 40 wear the fall trend of a dark lip shade? Fab Over Forty went to beauty expert Sandy Linter to have her help us figure it out.

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Keeping a food diary and tracking your goals doubles the odds of losing extra weight according to a new study.  Menopause Makeover has FREE planner downloads. Start today and take control of your health!

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Plus Size Actress Melissa McCarthy’s Elle Cover Causes Controversy.

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October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Jackie Silver from AgingBackwards.com offers healthy teeth tips.

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Positive Aging Exert Barbara Hannah Grufferman thinks women should speak up and stop being embarrassed about this physical change almost all of us go through. After all, life after 50 should be filled with joy, fun and great sex!

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Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog  reveals  a top celebrity beauty  secret.

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Feeling a little blue?  Women’s Fitness Expert, Mirabai Holland tells you how aerobic exercise can help lift your spirits.

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Are your natural lashes starting to thin and become shorter and lighter? Style expert Deborah Boland has great news. Faux lashes have gone mainstream, and Deborah shares what you need to know for choosing the right type and applying them for a look that is real.

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Still blonde after all these YEARS offers up a Menopausal Joke summarizing life!

Posted in beauty

Fashion Flash

FASHION FLASH! The Best Of Everything In Fitness, Style, Beauty And So Much More! FOCUS ON: BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!

FashionFlashNEWlogoOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month . . . and since the risk of breast cancer increases the older we get, the fab women of FASHION FLASH got together to create a theme around the issue, in honor of all those who are cancer patients, survivors or are working hard to prevent it!  We’ve got articles on the best exercises to do, ingredients in beauty products we might want to be aware of, best ways to lower your risk, how to look and feel pretty no matter what you’re going through . . . and so much more!

I’m honored that THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AFTER 50 is hosting this week’s FASHION FLASH, and I’ll start the conversation going with my own blog post!

The-Best-of-Everything-After-50 logoBarbara from THE BEST OF EVERYTHING AFTER 50 says: New studies report that exercise is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer, and my exercise of choice is running, with walk breaks. Get started on your path to better health . . . today!

menopause makeover logoStaness from MENOPAUSE MAKEOVER says:  About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. Find out 10 ways you can lower your risk of getting breast cancer!

FabOverForty logoKari from FAB OVER FORTY says: A face oil may not be what you think, but many people benefit from these natural oils. Read more about them and Fab Over Forty is giving away one Darphin Essential Oil Elixir.

Black Cat Plus logoJodell from BLACK CAT PLUS says: BeauCoo, the body positive style network launches the Stories Project to promote positive body image.

Moving Free with Mirabai logoMirabai from MOVING FREE WITH MIRABAIsays:  What are the best exercises for cancer patients? These are some of the best exercises I use with those who are cancer survivors, patients, or trying to prevent it!

nononsensebeauty logoDeb from NO NONSENSE BEAUTY BLOG says: Know your ingredients! Deb looks at the breast cancer risks of a common ingredientthat’s found in a lot of our favorite skin care products!

ABwithRlogoJackie from AGING BACKWARDS says: Couldreading food labels help you lose weight? Jackie Silver from AgingBackwards.com chews on that topic.

still blonde after all these years logoShelley from STILL BLONDE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS say: Cancer Awareness Colors and Ribbons. What do they Mean?

f40 loggo-1Deborah from FABULOUS AFTER 40 says:  With so many new fashion trends for fall 2013, how do you sort out what’s wacky and what works? Here’s a rundown of the top 10 fashion trends worth paying attention to.

Prime-Beauty logoCindy from Prime Beauty Blog says:  These are my Top 10 Beauty Products from the Fall 2013 collections that will make any woman feel and look fab!


Posted in beauty

Giveaway

Win a copy of

The Menopause Makeover!

Kathryn M. from San Diego, California is our recent winner! CONGRATS!

Go to the Menopause Makeover Facebook page, “like us” and leave a comment that YOU want to win a FREE copy of The Menopause Makeover and be automatically entered for the next giveaway! Click here.

Take control of your health and beauty during menopause with the 8-step 12-week Menopause Makeover.

Check out a few of our incredible testimonials! Click here.

Posted in Contests

Fashion Flash

Its Fashion Flash Monday! Hosted by Deb Chase NoNonsenseBeautyBlog.com

Posted on October 7, 2013

Fashion Flash logo“I’m so delighted to be   hosting Fashion Flash  this week.  Our bloggers have outdone themselves with   info packed posts  on a wide range of health, beauty and fashion topics. Click through all of these timely and effective  posts and I promise you it will be worth your  time.”

*Barbara Hannah  Gufferman  thinks life after 50 is filled with change, some of it wanted, some not, that can  make us feel glued to the floor.  She interviewed organization expert Julie Morgenstern to get the secrets to getting unstuck… so that we can move on with our lives.  Watch this!

* Mirabai of Moving Free with Mirabai is one of those people who actually likes to exercise.  But right now she is down with the flu.  All she can manage is  a list of when not  to exercise.

* Say Yes is an affordable skincare line made with ntural products.  Fab Over Forty met the creator of the skin care line and got to be one of the first in the world to try their new lip balm.  Check out this  great skincare line!

* As we get older our body fat percentile changes. MenopauseMakeover.com has the latest information on body fat standards for women recommended by age group.  What’s YOUR percent body fat?

* Ever wondered “Should I try a wig?”  The Chief Blonde from Still Blonde After All These YEARS gives shorter  hair style a try!

* Camouflage can be surprisingly chic if you know how to style it right.  Style expert Deborah Boland shows you how to look cool ( not kooky) in camouflage.

*  Plus Size Actress Rebel Wilson’s new sit com Super Fun Night is anything but.

* Take a look at  how Cindy from Prime Beauty solved her makeup storage dilemma and how other bloggers organize their “stashes”.

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?  Jackie Silver from Aging Backwards has uncovered some surprising statistics.

Posted in beauty