natural relief for vaginal dryness Archives

The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Posted on December 1, 2015

WHAT DOCTORS KNOW ABOUT HRT TODAY

When the most common symptoms of menopause—hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and disruptive sleep patterns—cause discomfort, or worse, tormenting pain, women think HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is the answer to relief.

From the 1960s, until the mid-nineties, doctors were liberal with HRT prescriptions to treat these and other menopausal symptoms, such as anxiety, irregular periods, psychological problems, and prevention of bone loss. Until the estrogen hit the fan!

In 2002, the medical world was rocked like an earthquake. A series of government-run clinical trials (Women’s Health Initiative or WHI) on the risks and benefits of hormone therapy was discontinued. Researchers had discovered that long-term use of synthetic estrogen and progestin in HRT increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. Fearful patients called their doctors asking what they should do.

AND THEN THE AFTER-SHOCK
It got worse.
•   Subsequent studies found HRT also increased the risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and asthma.
•   An April 2007 JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) study determined the risk of stroke increased in HRT users by more than 30 percent, and that age or years at the onset of menopause was not a factor.
•   In 2010, new research found that combined estrogen-progestin HRT increased the risk for more severe forms of breast cancer and increased a woman’s chances of dying from the disease or other causes.

DIFFERENT DOCTORS = DIFFERENT OPINIONS
Today’s medical community tends to be divided in its views about prescribing HRT. Cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, feels that younger women who go on hormone therapy because of severe menopause symptoms should not worry that HRT can be “detrimental to their heart.” Dr. Steven Goldstein, MD, professor of medicine at NYU Medical Center, concurs, saying “We have strong evidence to show that if it is less than 10 years since you started menopause, the use of HRT on a short-term basis is not likely to harm you.”

But Julia Smith, MD, director of the Lynne Cohen Breast Cancer Program at the NYU Medical Center describes the controversy as “complex” and “still not fully explained or explainable.”

BIOIDENTICAL COMPOUNDING: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH
Prescription compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications. When a regular prescription doesn’t meet a patient’s specific health needs, the pharmacist combines, mixes, adjusts or alters the ingredients or physical form of a drug.

Many women choose Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. With custom-compounding, the ingredients can be plant-based, which some believe are preferable to the synthetic ingredients found in traditional HRT products.

Andrea Dominic, RPh and Steve Hoyt, RPh are licensed pharmacists at San Ysidro Pharmacy in Santa Barbara, CA with more than 20 years experience in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. San Ysidro Pharmacy is accredited by the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board, established to ensure the quality of compounded prescriptions.

“Compounding pinpoints the individual patient’s needs,” says Andrea Dominic, RPh. “There is no one-dose-fits-all when it comes to hormone replacement. The levels needed to relieve symptoms can fluctuate and dose adjustments are sometimes necessary. Unlike synthetic hormones, the structure of the bio-identical hormone is exactly the same as what is circulating in the body, so the body knows how to metabolize it.”

CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN AND MAKE EDUCATED CHOICES
Some women may not need HRT. When vaginal dryness is the primary problem, for example, a hormone-free product such as Aloe Cadabra® vaginal lubricant and moisturizer, may be preferable. Aloe Cadabra® is all-natural; made of 95% quality organic Aloe Vera; is estrogen-free; FDA-cleared; and contains 100 percent food-grade ingredients.

“Gone forever are the days when a doctor routinely prescribes HRT for every woman over 50,” says Dr. Smith. “Today, the decision to go on hormone therapy, even short term, must take into consideration a host of individual health and lifestyle factors.”

SOURCES:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/whi/

http://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/breast-cancer-7/breast-cancer-news-94/hormone-replacement-therapy-new-facts-646066.html

www.aloecadabra.com

http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/AlternativestoPostmenopausalHormones.html#sthash.RD7Itig4.dpuf

Just Put Some Aloe On It

Posted on October 26, 2015

TUSSIN FOR EVERYTHING

The irreverent comedian, Chris Rock, does a bit about his childhood illnesses and his father’s advice for everything. “Put some ‘Tussin on it.” The reference to the cold medicine, Robitussin™ was a panacea for all ailments in Rock’s family.

“Got a broken bone? Put some Tussin on it. Got herpes, HIV, gunshot wound? Put some Tussin on it.” Today, the variation on Rock’s theme is “Put some aloe on it.”

ALOE FOR EVERYTHING

It won’t re-set a broken bone or cure herpes but Aloe Vera does have unique medicinal value not found in any other living plant. Undisputed by Eastern medicine, global scientific and organic communities, and even some savvy Western medicine practitioners, aloe is the hot (actually cooling, soothing) new item on the market.

But it’s not “new” at all. In fact, it’s an ancient remedy that can be traced back to Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.), the Mayans, Cleopatra, Queen Nefertiti, the Phoenicians, Hebrew tribes, and Stone-Age South Africans. The word “Aloe” (pronounced “AH-low or “AH-low-AY”) is plentiful in Hawaii where it is grown in every back yard on the islands. The name comes from the Arabic word Alloeh–“bitter and shiny substance” which describes the white liquid that oozes from the plant.

THE MIRACLE PLANT

Aloe is known by many names including the Miracle Plant, The Plant of Immortality, The Burn Plant, and Pain’s Natural Enemy. It has more than 300 nutrients including amino acids–the basic building blocks of proteins in production of muscle tissue; enzymes such as Catalese, Alkaline, and Celluase which enhances absorption; minerals such as calcium, barium, magnesium, potassium and Zinc; anti-inflammatory properties, non-toxic analgesics, and Vitamins A,C,E,B, B12 and Folic Acid.

A study at the University of Texas, Galveston, indicates that aloe with its 75-plus chemical compounds, helps heal wounds, offers relief from thermal injuries and a wide variety of soft-tissue injuries. It prevents progressive skin damage from burn injuries, frostbite, and electrical burns.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/

ALL ALOES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

Read the label for the Aloe product you’re buying. Some aloe items contain more water and other ingredients than pure aloe from the liquid inside of the plant. According to Dr. Helen Pensanti, who specializes in natural hormones for women, “The contents should be listed in percentage of volume. In most lotions and ointments, Aloe is listed last or very near the end of ingredients. This tells you that the product has very little Aloe in it.”

http://www.askdrhelen.com/:ask.com

Always buy from a reputable supplier of products. Aloe Cadabra® specifically made for vaginal dryness, is both a lubricant and a moisturizer. It contains 95 percent of the highest quality, organic aloe called Barbadensis. The natural composition of Aloe Cadabra® offers a vaginal lubricant comprised of all-natural products to moisturize, protect, renew and replenish this precious part of a woman’s body.

“Such a generous portion of aloe in Aloe Cadabra® can only mean good things,” says acupuncturist and herbalist Antonia Balfour who practices Chinese medicine in the Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles. “I use aloe in many of my skin products and the results are phenomenal. I can understand why it makes an excellent, healthy and safe vaginal lubricant.”

Why Is Lube Important?

Posted on June 5, 2015

Sexpert Megan Andelloux is a certified sexologist and sexuality educator, accredited through the The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists and The American College of Sexologists. She brings sex-positive, shame-free sexuality education to college campuses and private workshops, and is a contributing author of several books on topics as diverse as sexual politics, sociological sexuality issues, and senior sexuality.

Ms. Andelloux recently visited Jaiya on her radio show and was asked, “Why do you think lube is important?” Her answer:

“I find that so many people, it helps them with sexual response. It helps them have an easier time having orgasms. It makes penetration so much easier.”

Make Mama Happy

Posted on May 7, 2015

Want to Make Mama Happy? Give her lube.

Seriously. The right lubricant can make a big difference in helping moms maintain a fulfilling and pleasurable love life. That’s because mothers have three extra challenges when it comes to maintaining their natural moisture.

Challenge #1: Pregnancy, childbirth and nursing. All of these wonderful stages of motherhood have a not-so-delightful side effect: they can cause a woman’s estrogen level to plummet. The result: vaginal dryness. Sex during these times can be uncomfortable, even painful.

Challenge #2: Stress. Having to manage kids along with a career, household, marriage, and all the other stuff in your life can be hard on her body and tough on her nerves. And stress happens to be one of the primary causes of vaginal dryness.

[Read more…]

Lose Those Winter Blues!

Posted on December 7, 2014

photo provided by photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Have you ever wondered if the rumors were true? Does the dark and dreary cold of winter truly rev up the sex drive?

If you look around the internet at the various studies and surveys done you’ll find that the answer is mixed. While about 15% say that they absolutely notice that the weather definitely revs up their sex lives (citing reasons like being cooped up alone together and bored), another 15% claim that their drives dry up a bit.

So, the same amount who see a rise in their desire is even with the amount whose desire dwindles, what does that mean? Mathematically? Nothing changed.

Don’t get us wrong, the endorphin rush one receives during orgasm would probably go a long way toward curing the winter blues that often affects people because of limited access to the sun and the impact on our internal chemistry. That flood of chemicals can be a powerful thing, which may explain the rise in passion for some. It’s a way to combat both boredom and depression during the cold, dark winter.

And despite the fact that most associate Spring as the season of new beginnings, relationships included, it’s actually Winter that holds the record for highest percentage of new relationships according to a poll done by the Associated Press.

So maybe sweaters, coats, slacks, and gloves aren’t the sexiest gear in the world, especially when you imagine beginning a new relationship. Still, an excuse to get out of the house, snuggle a the fire, and drink a heated libation of some sort still has an appeal.

What better way to warm up, after all, than to share body heat, conversation, and company? Why not see where the next great eye contact and smile might lead? What could be the harm?

And if you decide to “warm up” with a little passion along the way, remember to make it both a sexy and memorable experience. Aloe Cadabra, with 95% organic aloe in every tube, can help make sure that there is no dryness or discomfort. Just relax, let it do the work, and enjoy the connection.