Author: healthtost

If you’re in your 50s and notice that sex has become painful—or your libido has seemingly disappeared—you’re not alone. This is one of the most common (and least talked about) experiences women face in midlife. The good news: this isn’t permanent and it’s not “just part of age” that you have to accept. There are real science-backed reasons behind these changes — and more importantly, there are effective solutions. Why does sex become painful in your 50s? Painful sex in your 50s is most often associated with hormonal changes, especially the decline in estrogen that occurs during perimenopause and menopause.…

If you spend even five minutes researching skin care, you’ll quickly notice one ingredient pop up over and over again: retina. Dermatologists recommend it. Beauty editors swear by it. And brands are building entire product lines around it. But retinal products can also be confusing, especially with so much conflicting advice about how to use them, when to apply them, and how often they should appear in your routine. Well, we make it simple. Because when used correctly, Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients you can add to your skin care routine. – helps smooth texture, smooth fine…

Here are some personal updates! Happy spring! As we transition from winter to spring, I thought now would be a good time to write some life updates! Many of you have asked me one by one how I’m doing. In short: I’m doing well! I liked living semi-alone (the contrast between when I’m alone and when the boys are here is about 100 decibels!) According to Google: “Two children shouting typically produce sound levels between 80 and 100+ dB, easily exceeding the 85 dB limit where hearing damage may occur with prolonged exposure”. HA! But seriously, I love having all…

For more than a decade, Ukrainian children have grown up with war as a constant backdrop. According to the researchers, the psychological consequences are now becoming clear. A comprehensive review of 37 studies finds that Ukrainian children and adolescents exposed to a decade of war experience high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), internalizing and externalizing symptoms, suicide and self-harm. An international research team led by the Research Center for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland, reviewed the available evidence on the mental health of children and adolescents from Ukraine. Their scoping review combined findings from 37 studies…

Can you hold your breath until you burst for another breath? This urgent feeling of needing to get more air is called “air hunger”. You may feel this sensation when you exercise vigorously and push yourself to your limits. Your breathing will usually return to normal quickly once you stop exercising yourself. But some people—like those living with lung disease or severe stress—often experience air hunger in their daily lives. Air hunger, sometimes described as “suffocating” or “suffocating” from lack of air, can be incredibly painful. And it can be hard not to panic. So what helps if you’re feeling…

With Gabrielle Page You enter the exam hall already late. The next patient, someone you’ve never met, sits stiffly on the edge of the chair. Scan the chart before you sit down. Chronic back pain. Normal imaging. Multiple previous visits. Your mind is already moving towards efficiency. What can you realistically do in the next 15 minutes? You ask the patient to describe their pain. The patient hesitates, choosing his words carefully. You can feel the pressure of the ticking clock behind you. When you report that the imaging looks normal, you see a change in the patient. His…

Many exercise tips for people over 50 can be summed up in two words: “Just work out.” And while exercise is certainly better than nothing (and it’s better to be fit than just active), this advice ignores something extremely important: The details of how you exercise make a huge difference in the results you get. Exercise Recipe When a doctor prescribes a medicine, there is a lot of precision behind it: Drug name Dosage With food or without food Morning or evening Well, exercise is also medicine (in a very real sense, since it changes certain health indicators on par…

If you’ve been thinking about smoothing out frown lines or crow’s feet, you’ve probably heard of Botox. But two other treatments are growing in popularity: Jeuveau and Dysport. Both are FDA-approved injectable wrinkle treatments made from botulism toxin type A. They work by relaxing the muscles that cause expression lines. But when it comes to Jeuveau vs Dysport, how do they compare? Let’s break it down with a simple, science-backed, easy-to-understand guide to help you decide which one might be right for your skin goals. What is Jeuveau and Dysport? Jeuveau, also known as prabotulinumtoxinA and Dysport, abobotulinumtoxinA are part…

Visits for contraception and cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood clinics have dropped by double digits since the passage of a bill that limited Medicaid funding to some reproductive health providers last year, according to new Report of the Democratic Congress. Between July 1 and the end of December, the report said, distribution of emergency contraception fell by 10%, distribution of oral contraception fell by 27% and IUD insertions fell by 10%. Republican members of the House and Senate approved a sweeping budget reconciliation bill in July that included a one-year provision barring clinics from receiving reimbursement from federal Medicaid if…

Melanie Mawji is its founder Mels Space and Mama Bear Birth Prepoffering compassionate, trauma-informed support to individuals and families navigating pregnancy, birth and beyond. Beginning her career as a birth doula, she saw firsthand the emotional impact that challenging birth experiences can have. This inspired her to train as a counselor and create a safe, supportive space where her clients can feel heard, empowered and better prepared, whether processing past experiences or approaching birth with confidence and clarity. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent magazine about the passion behind her work, the challenges she’s overcome along the way,…