Low T - Women Have It Too
Many of us can relate to the experience of having our period start and realizing we don’t have the supplies we need on hand. And how grateful we are when someone helps us out in the moment.
Too many people find themselves without supplies not because they ran out but because they can’t afford them. In 2022, the World Bank shared that 500 million people didn’t have access to the products or facilities needed when menstruating.
This week is period poverty awareness week led by the Alliance for Period Supplies They have a list of ways you can take action. They are working to end tax on menstruation supplies and advocate for funding to make supplies available for free in schools.
- Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
What Do These Butterflies Mean? Anxiety and Dating
Testosterone – Vital to Your Health
Pre-eclampsia: 5 Facts
What Do These Butterflies Mean?
It’s important for us to talk about topics that resonate with readers at all different phases in their lives. One of those areas can be around dating and relationships and experiencing anxiety or doubt. While “dating anxiety” isn’t a specific condition, having anxiety around going on dates or at any stage in your relationship is something that many people experience. This can come through in physical ways like trembling or sweating, or in intrusive thoughts relating to rejection or shame.
What causes anxiety when dating or in relationships?
Everyone has their own reasons for feeling anxious. Some are anxious of the unknown, some have social anxiety or body image issues. Past relationship experiences can also contribute to fears and anxiety when meeting new people. There’s no one size fits all answer.
What else can it look like?
How anxiety shows up for us also is different per person, but Women's Health outlines these 7 common manifestations:
Overthinking
Doubt
Need for Validation
Withdrawal
Worry
Insecurity
Loss of Identity
Yeah, there’s a handful of those that resonate on our end.
So, how do we get over this?
The other thing to remember is that some folks may experience anxiety in fleeting moments, others may experience it more chronically, but acknowledging your anxiety and understanding how it might show up for you is one way to get in front of it.
Speaking to a professional about it is one way to get at the root of some of the causes and find coping mechanisms that will help the anxiety not take over in a relationship.
Knowing self-soothing techniques when anxiety starts to come through physically is also important. There’s also the balance of acknowledging feelings that are coming to the surface and understanding the thoughts that pop into our heads about a situation – but recognizing that our thoughts and our feelings aren’t true facts. Being open and honest with your partner about what you’re feeling and what’s coming up is also key to helping calm some of those intrusive thoughts.
Additional resources
What to Do When You're Too Anxious to Date
Testosterone – Vital to Your Health
Testosterone is not only a male hormone. While women have lower levels of testosterone compared to men, this hormone is essential for various bodily functions and overall well-being.
In women, it is produced primarily by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Testosterone contributes to our health in myriad ways.
Low testosterone levels may result in decreased libido, fatigue, mood swings, loss of muscle mass, reduced bone density, and increased risk of osteoporosis. High testosterone levels can cause symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth, menstrual irregularities, and mood disturbances.
Testosterone supports healthy ovarian function, contributing to regular menstrual cycles and fertility. It aids in the maturation of ovarian follicles and influences sexual desire and drive
Testosterone is essential for maintaining bone density and preventing osteoporosis in women. It helps promote bone formation and supports overall skeletal strength
Adequate levels of testosterone help women maintain muscle strength and prevent age-related muscle loss
It can influence mood, motivation, and cognitive function, enhancing mental clarity and focus
Adequate levels of testosterone can contribute to lower risks of heart disease and improve overall cardiovascular health in women
If you or your provider suspect an imbalance, a blood test is your first step. The timing of that is important. Before perimenopause, the time in your cycle will impact the results.
Pre-eclampsia: 5 Facts
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that affects about 8% of pregnancies. It is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The exact cause of pre-eclampsia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to problems with the placenta.
Here are some facts we do know:
Common symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling, sudden weight gain, severe headaches, visual disturbances, and abdominal pain. However, some women with pre-eclampsia may not experience any symptoms, making regular prenatal check-ups crucial for early detection.
Pre-eclampsia can lead to complications such as eclampsia (seizures), placental abruption, premature birth, low birth weight, and organ damage for both the mother and the baby.
It is managed by close monitoring, bed rest, medication to control blood pressure, and in severe cases, early delivery. If the pregnancy is 37 weeks or farther along, the baby may be delivered early. Regular prenatal care and early detection are crucial for managing pre-eclampsia and reducing its risks.
In the U.S., Black women have been found to have a significantly higher incidence of pre-eclampsia compared to women from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. Their cases also tend to be more severe than those in other racial and ethnic groups. A study published in 2021 found that disparity wasn’t as significant for Black mothers in other countries.
Early treatment of pre-eclampsia can significantly improve outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Early intervention can help reduce the risk of organ damage, lower the chances of premature birth and improve fetal growth, reducing the likelihood of low birth weight.
Resources
March of Dimes Preeclampsia information
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure
Medical Term of the Week
Androgens are known as sex hormones. Why?
Their job includes kicking off puberty and bodily changes that come with it. They contribute to sperm development and regulation of menstruation.
Wait, they do much more. They also play a role in red blood cell production, bone health and density, and the development of lean muscle mass.
Testosterone is the one we’re most familiar with but it is only one of a handful of androgens, which are produced in adrenal glands as well as in the testicles and ovaries.
The Latest
Heartbreaking to read that death rates for young people are increasing (from The Wall Street Journal)
The Supermom myth is just that. And the mental health toll is brutal (from Fortune)
Confused about picking a menstrual cup. There’s a lot to consider. (from MindBodyGreen)