A few weeks ago, Maggie went through the difficult experience of her father passing away. We took a pause at Eve Was Framed during that time and we’ve got some reflections to share.

There are moments in life that putting everything else on pause is the greatest gift you can give yourself and give others in your life. Maggie’s grateful that she was in a position to do that and that friends, like Steph, were there to pick up the slack for her.

You’ll never regret a moment spent with family and friends during a difficult time - don’t rob yourself of that.

Even the best medical team in the world is no match for someone advocating for what’s in your best interest.

While you are taking care of someone you love, you have to allow others to help you take care of yourself.

That all inspired one of today’s pieces on the importance of friendship.

- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik

The Tasting Menu

Fibromyalgia - 5 Facts
Do I Snore?
Friends and Mental Health

Fibromyalgia — 5 Facts

Living with any pain, whether it's short term or chronic, has a huge impact on your life, your health and your mental well being. Since women’s pain is often dismissed, it’s important to be educated about conditions where pain can be one of the most pronounced symptoms - Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. It is often accompanied by tender points on the body. The exact cause remains unclear, and diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation. Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women, with approximately 80-90% of diagnosed cases occurring in females. The reasons for this gender disparity are not entirely clear, but hormonal fluctuations, genetics, and societal factors may contribute. It often starts during middle age, which is a time when women may experience hormonal change
Many women with fibromyalgia report worsened symptoms during menstruation, including increased pain and fatigue. Additionally, managing fibromyalgia symptoms during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can be challenging, as some medications used to treat the condition may not be safe for the developing fetus or nursing infant.
Fibromyalgia often coexists with other women's health conditions. For example, it is frequently seen alongside conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and chronic pelvic pain. This overlap can complicate diagnosis and treatment, as the symptoms of these conditions can be similar.
Fibromyalgia can significantly affect quality of life. The chronic pain and fatigue associated with the condition can make it difficult to engage in daily activities, including work, caregiving, and social interactions. People with fibromyalgia may also experience sleep disturbances, which can further impact their overall well-being.

While you’ll probably start out talking to your primary care provider, a rheumatologist is the specialist you need for fibromyalgia diagnosis and treatment.

“Do I Snore?”

It might be one of the questions most women don’t want to know the answer to. But, it can be a big indicator of other health problems, so it’s one you should take seriously.

Snoring occurs when there’s an obstruction to our airways. While it occurs more in men (57% of men snore), it also impacts about 40% of women or those assigned female at birth – so there isn’t a huge gap. But, according to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnea Association (cited above), men are 2x as likely to get referred for sleep studies to diagnose more serious issues like sleep apnea – estimating that almost 90% of women with sleep apnea are undiagnosed.

So what are the causes of snoring?

For women, and those assigned female at birth, there are a few factors specific to us: pregnancy and menopause. When pregnant, snoring is caused by expanding blood vessels in your naval cavity and weight gain associated with pregnancy. Menopause leads to a reduction in muscle tone in the throat that can lead to snoring.

Beyond the female-specific factors, snoring can also be caused by:

Weight gain
Congestion or other nasal issues
Medications or excessive smoking and alcohol-use
Hypothyroidism
Sleep apnea

Occasional snoring is perfectly normal and there are several ways to prevent or reduce the likelihood of snoring, which can include “anti-snoring pillows” that keep your airways open, keeping hydrated, avoiding alcohol right before bed, checking nasal passages, and finding a healthy sleep position.

However, if your partner or roommates are indicating that you snore regularly – it’s important to discuss with your doctor as this could be a warning sign of a more serious issue – sleep apnea – which requires more treatment to prevent broader issues.

Friends and Mental Health

Who doesn’t feel better after spending quality time with good friends?

It's no secret that our mental health can be influenced by a variety of factors, including hormonal fluctuations and the unique challenges many women face. But one often underestimated and scientifically supported factor in promoting mental well-being is the power of friendships.

Research has shown that social connections play a pivotal role in mental health. Having strong friendships has been linked to increased self-confidence and self-esteem. This empowerment can act as a protective factor against mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

A study from UCLA highlighted how social support, often provided by close friends, can help buffer the effects of stress. They found that engaging in activities with friends during times of stress can actually increase natural production of oxytocin and combat stress hormones.

This is also why it’s important to surround yourself with good friends. We’ve all had that long term friend who, over time, perhaps has become a bad friend. While we find it acceptable to end romantic relationships that aren’t working for us, breaking up with a friend isn’t talked about that much. We found this piece on breaking up with a friend from Camille Styles helpful in thinking through that challenge.

Here are some ideas of activities that bring you together with your friends and support your mental health:

Go on a fall themed day out like apple picking or walking through fall foliage
Check out your local zoon for fall or Halloween related events
Taking a cooking class together
Pick a volunteer activity to do together
Schedule a weekly check in video chat and keep that time (Maggie can attest to the power of this one!)

Medical Term of the Week

We believe in choosing our words carefully.

When does a condition or illness meet the criteria of being “chronic”. Is it frequency? Is it duration?

According to the CDC, to be a chronic condition, it should be at least a year in duration, need medical treatment or impact a daily activity.

The Latest

We love the more candid conversations about feminine care products and wonder about the medical need for some of them (From NY Times)

One of our favorite start ups for health for women 40+ got some new funding. Let’s go Midi Health! (From Fortune)

Need a new listen? Parentaly launched a podcast called the False Tradeoff to help employees, HR and other leaders help working parents be successful. Love it! (From Parentaly)

Aren’t friends the best?