MORE BLOG POSTS — Hormone Replacement Therapy
Why I Needed Three Books to Explain Weight Loss After 40
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Because βeat less and exercise moreβ is never going to cut it. Β If losing weight after 40 were as simple as eating less and moving more, no one would need to write books about it, right? And most of us wouldnβt need to resort to fad diets and weight loss medications. But the truth is that no matter how clean your menu or how much cardio you clock in every week, your scale wonβt blink an eye if other hidden factors are messing with your metabolism. After years of working with women who were eating well, exercising, counting calories,...
Why Every Woman Over 40 Should Care About Grip Strength
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
If you think that the strongest predictors of your future health is your cholesterol, blood pressure, or even your weightβ¦think again. Itβs actually how hard you can squeeze. It sounds almost too simple to be true, yet grip strength has become one of the most widely studied markers of healthy aging. Researchers have found that weaker grip strength is associated with a higher risk of disability, osteoporosis, falls, fractures, frailty, cardiovascular disease, and even premature death. Fortunately, grip strength can be measured and, if low, can also be improved. Β Why Grip Strength Matters Grip strength is exactly what it...
When Osteoporosis Isn't Just Menopause: Knowing When to Look Deeper
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Most women expect some bone loss as they age. After all, declining estrogen levels during menopause accelerate the breakdown of bone, making osteoporosis one of the most common health concerns facing women over 50. Because of this, many womenβand even some healthcare providersβautomatically assume that osteoporosis is simply part of getting older. But that isnβt always the case. The most important questions to ask when osteoporosis is diagnosed is whether it appears to be occurring as expected or whether something else may be contributing to the problem. In other words, is this simply age-related bone loss, or is osteoporosis acting...
Histamine Intolerance: The Menopause Symptom Nobody Warned You About
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Hot flashes. Anxiety. Insomnia. Heart palpitations. Headaches. Brain fog. Random itching. A nose that suddenly behaves like itβs allergy season year-round. A glass of wine that used to feel relaxing but now leaves you flushed, wide awake at 2 a.m., and questioning every life decision you've ever made. Sound familiar? I thought soβ¦. Most women assume these symptoms are simply part of stress or aging. And to be fair, many of them are. But thereβs another player that often flies under the radarβone that can quietly stir up a surprising amount of chaosβespecially during perimenopause and menopause. Meet histamine, an...
How to Find a Skilled Practitioner for Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Posted by Lena Edwards MD on
Β If youβre considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), finding the right practitioner matters just as much as the therapy itself. BHRT isnβt just about writing a prescription. Itβs about understanding physiology, timing,Β metabolism, delivery methods, and how your body uniquely processes hormones. The wrongΒ provider can leave you under-dosed, over-dosed, or simply confused. Hereβs how to find someone who actually knows what theyβre doing. Β 1. Look for the Right Training (Not Just the Right Letters) A general OB/GYN or primary care doctor can prescribe hormones, but that doesnβt meanΒ theyβre deeply trained in nuanced BHRT management. Look for practitioners with additional education...