Women’s Health

Posted on Diet, Women's Health

Disordered Eating and Certain Foods Linked to Higher Risk of Urinary Incontinence in Middle-Aged Women

A recent study from the University of Jyväskylä has found that eating habits can impact the risk of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women. The research showed that consuming more highly processed ready-made foods and fast food increased the likelihood of experiencing stress and urgency urinary incontinence. On the other hand, eating more fruits and maintaining a high-quality diet lowered the risk of stress urinary incontinence.

Key Findings

  • Higher Risk with Processed Foods: Women who ate more highly processed foods and fast food were more likely to experience symptoms of stress and urgency urinary incontinence.
  • Lower Risk with Healthy Diet: Women who consumed more fruits and had an overall higher-quality diet were less likely to experience stress urinary incontinence.

Understanding Pelvic Floor Disorders

As women approach menopause, the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders increases. Factors like estrogen deprivation during menopause, natural aging, reproductive history, and increased intra-abdominal pressure can lead to issues with the pelvic floor’s structure and function. Additionally, lifestyle choices, including nutrition and eating habits, can significantly affect these disorders.

The Role of Disordered Eating

The study, led by doctoral researcher Mari Kuutti, focused on how disordered eating affects the onset of pelvic floor disorder symptoms. Disordered eating includes behaviors such as overeating, restrictive eating, and alternating between the two. The research found that women who reported disordered eating were more likely to experience symptoms of pelvic floor disorders compared to those with normal eating habits.

Common Pelvic Floor Disorders

The study examined conditions such as stress urinary incontinence, urgency urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and difficulties with constipation and defecation. Over half of the study participants experienced symptoms of pelvic floor disorders, with stress urinary incontinence being the most common.

Dietary Influence

The study looked at the impact of common Finnish food items on pelvic floor disorder symptoms. It highlighted the negative effects of highly processed foods and fast food while showcasing the benefits of consuming more fruits and maintaining a higher-quality diet.

Preventive Measures

To help prevent these symptoms, the eating behavior of women at risk should be assessed, and guidance towards healthy eating patterns should be provided.

This study emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet in managing and preventing pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women. By making better dietary choices, women can potentially reduce their risk of these conditions and improve their overall quality of life.

Posted on Autism, Women's Health

The Hidden Struggle: Masking in Autistic Women and Girls

This talk sheds light on the often hidden and misunderstood experience of masking in women and girls with autism. Masking is the process by which individuals with autism hide their symptoms to fit into societal norms. Many girls begin this behavior in childhood, attempting to meet the expectations of their family members and friends. As they grow older, this behavior intensifies, making it very challenging to seek diagnosis or support.

The talk explores both a personal journey and insights from top autism researchers and organizations specializing in women and girls, aiming to start a conversation about the prevalence of masking and its profound impact.

Masha’s journey is a testament to resilience. As a young immigrant, she overcame trauma, undiagnosed neurodiversity, and homelessness on her path to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Unfortunately, her success was taken away due to deteriorating health. However, by mastering perseverance, she has rebuilt her dreams from the ground up.

Today, Masha is the Founder of the 24-Hour Pause for Peace—a worldwide concert uniting hearts with music and love, guided by future generations. She works within PEAC Institute, an international NGO, alongside a member of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize-winning team and other extraordinary, like-minded individuals. This mission invites the world to witness a day where peace is not just a hope, but a reality.

Posted on Obesity, Weight Loss, Women's Health

Over Half of Americans Unaware Bariatric Surgery Can Boost Fertility

Before and after

Caption

Karla Grimmett dropped over 80kg after a gastric bypass procedure at Orlando Health Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery Institute. . Credit Orlando Health

Many couples dream of having a baby, but for some, getting pregnant can be challenging. Infertility affects 1 in 6 people, and obesity can also play a role. When diet and exercise aren’t enough to lose weight, bariatric surgery becomes an option. However, a recent national survey by Orlando Health reveals that 56% of Americans are unaware that bariatric surgery can improve fertility.

Dr. Alexander Ramirez from Orlando Health Weight Loss & Bariatric Institute says, “We see more patients turning to bariatric surgery for various health issues, including infertility. There’s often a link between obesity and difficulty getting pregnant.”

The survey shows that many Americans don’t know about this connection. When asked if being overweight impacts fertility, half of the respondents said they either didn’t know or were unsure.

Obesity is a serious health issue that can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and even certain cancers. For women, obesity can cause irregular periods, hormone imbalances, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), all of which can contribute to infertility.

Dr. Ramirez explains, “We have many patients with PCOS who have struggled to get pregnant for years. After bariatric surgery, their chances of conceiving significantly increase as their hormones balance out and their menstrual cycles become regular.”

Other weight loss options, like GLP-1 medications, might seem more straightforward, but 64% of people surveyed didn’t know or were unsure that stopping these injections can lead to weight gain. Dr. Ramirez points out that bariatric surgery is usually more effective and lasting because it permanently changes the digestive system, helping the body to ovulate.

Dr. Ramirez advises waiting 18 to 24 months after bariatric surgery before trying to conceive. This recovery period helps the body adjust and ensures a healthier pregnancy, reducing risks like high blood pressure and diabetes.

For 38-year-old Karla Grimmett, bariatric surgery was life-saving. Her severe obesity and type 2 diabetes had landed her in the ICU. Weighing 380 pounds, she opted for gastric bypass surgery, not expecting it to solve her fertility issues as well.

“I was told since I was 11 that I would never have kids because of PCOS,” Karla shares. After surgery, her health improved, her medications dropped from 12 to 2, and her menstrual cycle normalized.

“When my period didn’t come in April, I couldn’t believe it. I took a pregnancy test, and it was positive! I still didn’t believe it, so I took four more,” Karla recalls.

Karla gave birth to her daughter Everleigh in November 2022, an event she once thought impossible. “She’s full of life and the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I had given up hope of having a child,” she says.

Dr. Ramirez emphasizes the importance of understanding the link between obesity and health issues like infertility. He suggests discussing bariatric surgery with a doctor for those who can’t lose weight through diet and exercise.

“My advice to anyone with obesity, especially those wanting a child, is to consider bariatric surgery. It’s the most effective way to lose weight healthily and increase the chances of a successful and healthy pregnancy,” Dr. Ramirez says.

Posted on Multiple Sclerosis, Women's Health

Menopause Worsens MS Symptoms in Women: Potential Role for Hormone Therapy?

Panic attacks and the menopause

A new study from UC San Francisco reveals that menopause accelerates the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Post-menopause, women with MS experience slower walking speeds and subtle declines in fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.

Researchers are now questioning whether hormone therapy could benefit the 30% to 40% of MS patients who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal. Since women make up 75% of MS patients, and hormonal changes are known to impact the disease, this could be a significant breakthrough.

Dr. Riley Bove, an associate professor of neurology at UCSF, explains that hormonal fluctuations during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can affect autoimmune diseases like MS. The study, published in the journal Neurology, followed 184 women over an average of 13 years, revealing that menopause has a unique impact on MS progression.

The study found increased levels of neurofilament light chain (NfL) in the blood after menopause, indicating nerve cell degeneration, a hallmark of advancing MS. While only a small number of participants used estrogen therapy, the findings suggest that hormone therapy could be an area worth exploring further.