Why Some Women Change Sexual Identity in Mid life

A heterosexual woman might make a full transition to a singular lesbian identity . . . In other words, they might actually change their sexual orientation

Christian Moran, Southern Connecticut University

A comprehensive study of female sexuality presented to the American Psychological Associations annual meeting in 2010 has pointed out on a surprising growth in the numbers of so-called “late-blooming lesbians” - women who have switched their sexuality once theyve passed the age of 30.

Late-blooming lesbians have attracted increasing attention over the last years, partly due to the clutch of glamorous, high-profile women who have come out after heterosexual relationships. Cynthia Nixon, for instance, who plays Miranda in Sex and the City, was in a heterosexual relationship for 15 years, and had two children, before falling for her current partner, Christine Marinoni, in 2004. 

The findings raise fascinating questions over the long-held belief that sexual preferences may be partly genetic and are fixed early in life. They also suggest that female sexuality may be more “fluid” than mens, accounting for the fact that some women sustain long and often fulfilling marriages before developing lesbian or bisexual tendencies in early middle age - often leaving behind them a devastated husband and utterly bewildered children.

While the phenomenon of married women falling in love with other women is nothing new, in the past it was generally only bohemian, upper class women who dared to be overt about their lesbian tendencies - women like the married writer Virginia Woolf, who was 40 when she began a long love affair with Vita Sackville-West, who was also middle-aged and married.

But the new research suggests that this could be changing. And while some have previously concealed their sexuality to keep their families together, many women have no prior inclination to change their sexual preference until their mid-life revelations. 

The consequences can be traumatic.

As the new research reveals, mothers understandably agonize about the reaction of their children if their sexuality begins to waver. Christian Moran, who conducted the studies at the Southern Connecticut State University, found that many women initially go through what is effectively psychological trauma as they try to reconcile their loyalties to their families with their attraction to other women.

While for many women “coming out” is a liberating and ultimately fulfilling experience, for others there can be irrevocable damage to their family relationships.

Dr Lisa Diamond, associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah, has been following a group of 79 women for 15 years, tracking the shifts in their sexual identity. The women she chose at the start of the study had all experienced some same-sex attraction – although in some cases only fleetingly – and every two years or so she has recorded how they describe themselves: straight, lesbian, bisexual, or another category of their own choosing. In every two-year wave, 20-30% of this sample have actually changed their identity label, and over the course of the study, about 70% have changed how they described themselves at their initial interview. Whats interesting, says Diamond, is that transitions in sexual identity arent "confined to adolescence. People appear equally likely to undergo these sorts of transitions in middle adulthood and late adulthood." And while, in some cases, women arrive at a lesbian identity theyve been repressing, "that doesnt account for all of the variables . . . In my study, what I often found was that women who may have always thought that other women were beautiful and attractive would, at some point later in life, actually fall in love with a woman, and that experience vaulted those attractions from something minor to something hugely significant. It wasnt that theyd been repressing their true selves before; it was that without the context of an actual relationship, the little glimmers of occasional fantasies or feelings just werent that significant."

Diamond has a hunch that the possibility of moving across sexual boundaries increases as people age. "What we know about adult development," she says, "suggests that people become more expansive in a number of ways as they get older . . . I think a lot of women, late in life, when theyre no longer worried about raising the kids, and when theyre looking back on their marriage and how satisfying it is, find an opportunity to take a second look at what they want and feel like." This doesnt mean that women are choosing whether to be gay or straight, she clarifies. "Every one of the women I studied who underwent a transition experienced it as being out of her control. It was not a conscious choice . . . I think the culture tends to lump together change and choice, as if theyre the same phenomenon, but theyre not. Puberty involves a heck of a lot of change, but you dont choose it. There are life-course transitions that are beyond our control."

Why?

So why are women like these changing their sexual orientation after relatively long and conventional marriages, and sometimes with painful consequences?

There are, according to Dr. Ceri Parsons of Staffordshire University, a multitude of causes, both psychological and social. “Women today are finding it easier to be in same-sex relationships for many reasons: society is taking a more liberal position. Generally people are more aware of lesbianism - so while it appears that there is an upsurge in lesbian relationships when actually it might simply be the case that they are just more visible,” she suggests.

More provocatively, Parsons also agrees with the conclusions of the recent study, that womens sexual identity is capable of change and flux. “Historically psychologists have tried to pigeonhole people as homosexual or heterosexual but these categories are highly inadequate,” she says.

She believes female sexuality can be far more fluid than that. “Ive heard women say: "At this point I was heterosexual and now I identify myself as a lesbian." Sexual preferences arent always set in stone.”

Some psychologists suggest that women are drawn to one another because of an emotional empathy; a shared capacity to talk about their feelings. “Women tend to have more close friendships with other women than men do with other men,” says Professor Marilyn Davidson, a psychologist at Manchester Business School. “They may feel they get more emotional and physical support from a relationship with another woman than they have had from their husbands; or it may be simply that they have chosen to have a relationship with another woman because theyve fallen in love.”

Other researchers propose that women are far more likely to have experienced sexual assault than men are, and often at a young age. And the perpetrators of sexual assault are generally men. That can trigger an subconscious mistrust and discomfort with the very gender that girls are raised to think they should be attracted to, as well as conflicted feelings about the act of sex itself. When sexual difficulties occur, they have an all-too-ready explanation: They think it’s their history, when in fact it may be geography. If the body touching theirs had a different topography, perhaps they would respond differently.

Trying to answer the question of why it comes to women later in life, after long heterosexual experience, both overly positive and not, researchers found that for women, desire does not generally precede but instead follows sexual behavior. Women often don’t feel much desire until sexual activity begins, and many may never feel it in the abstract. Like the old saying that “when you dont know what to write, you should just start writing,” for women it seems to be true that if you aren’t in the mood for sex, the best remedy is to just start having it. Desire tends to proceed from action for women, rather than from mere thought or visual stimuli as it does for men. For both genders, desire and arousal may be so closely linked as to be nearly inseparable, but, unlike men, most women need actual physical stimulation to register either. As other research has shown, even when their genitals say they’re aroused, women often will report feeling no desire at all. That may explain why women cant even imagine wanting sex with a woman until they actually try it, or at least are in the presence of a woman who really turns the key in their lock.

The social stigma attached to lesbianism is also evaporating, claims Davidson. “It is more socially acceptable among middle-class women. Women such as TV presenter Mary Portas, who left her husband to live with a woman, are acting as important role models, so other women are saying: "It’s okay for me to follow my feelings," whereas in the past they may have suppressed or hidden them.”

All of which may remain hard to accept for many heterosexual women - especially among the older generation.

Ultimately, no research in the world can prove conclusively why some women have lesbian encounters in later life while millions of others go through a lifetime without the slightest attraction to another woman.

But for those who do discover latent tendencies in middle age, the turmoil, it can cause to their families, is often every bit as hard for them to confront as their own hidden desires.

Role of Hormones?

It is well-known fact that menopause is the time when the production of hormones, chiefly estrogen and progesterone, dramatically decreases, bringing an end to the menstrual cycle and fertility. So, can the hormonal misbalance contribute to the transition from heterosexual to homosexual in female? While some researchers corroborate that is theoretically possible, we could not locate any references to the scientific studies, which would be address this theoretical suggestion. However, most serious researchers reject this hypothesis, claiming that sexual orientation cannot be substantially affected by activational effects of hormonal changes in adulthood.

Testing your Sexual Orientation

Researchers wanting to measure sexual orientation today have four basic choices of measurement tools. These are dichotomous measures, the Kinsey Scale, the Klein Scale, or the Shively and DeCecco Scale. Unfortunately, none of these is completely satisfactory.

Kinsey Scale

The Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, sometimes referred to as the “Kinsey Scale,” was developed by Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues Wardell Pomeroy and Clyde Martin in 1948, in order to account for research findings that showed people did not fit into neat and exclusive heterosexual or homosexual categories.

Interviewing people about their sexual histories, the Kinsey team found that, for many people, sexual behavior, thoughts and feelings towards the same or opposite sex was not always consistent across time. Though the majority of men and women reported being exclusively heterosexual, and a percentage reported exclusively homosexual behavior and attractions, many individuals disclosed behaviors or thoughts somewhere in between.

There is no “test” per se for self-identification. The scale is purely a method of self-evaluation based on your individual experience, and the rating you choose may change over time.

The scale ranges from 0, for those who would identify themselves as exclusively heterosexual with no experience with or desire for sexual activity with their same sex, to 6, for those who would identify themselves as exclusively homosexual with no experience with or desire for sexual activity with those of the opposite sex, and 1-5 for those who would identify themselves with varying levels of desire or sexual activity with either sex.

0- Exclusively heterosexual with no homosexual

1- Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual

2- Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual

3- Equally heterosexual and homosexual

4- Predominantly homosexual, but more than incidentally heterosexual

5- Predominantly homosexual, only incidentally heterosexual

6- Exclusively homosexual

The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid

The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid (or KSOG) is a system for describing a persons sexual proclivities in a way more detailed and informative than previous methods. It was introduced by Dr. Fritz Klein (1932-2006) in his book The Bisexual Option.

The Klein Sexual Orientation Grid is shown in the table below. For each person, it sets out the seven component variables of sexual orientation, listed as A through G down the left side. The three columns indicate three different points at which sexual orientation is assessed: the persons past, their present, and their ideal. The person then receives a rating from 1 to 7 for each of the 21 resulting combinations, one rating for each empty box in the chart below. The meanings of the ratings are indicated just below the grid itself.

Definitions helpful in using the Klein scale:

Past: Your life up to 12 months ago.
Present: The most recent 12 months
Ideal: What do you think you would eventually like?

The Variables:

• Sexual Attraction: To whom are you sexually attracted?
• Sexual Behavior: With whom have you actually had sex?
• Sexual Fantasies: Whom are your sexual fantasies about? (They may occur during masturbation, daydreaming, as part of real life, or purely in your imagination.)
• Emotional Preference: Emotions influence, if not define, the actual physical act of love. Do you love and like only members of the same sex, only members of the other sex, or members of both sexes?
• Social Preference: Social preference is closely allied with but often different from emotional preference. With members of which sex do you socialize?
• Lifestyle Preference: What is the sexual identity of the people with whom you socialize?
• Sexual Identity: How do you think of yourself?
• Political Identity: Some people describe their relationship to the rest of society differently than their personal sexual identity. For instance, a woman may have a heterosexual sexual identity, but a lesbian political identity. How do you think of yourself politically?

Note that the Klein Grid takes into consideration the fact that many people change their orientation over time. Where a person is today is not necessarily where she or he was in the past -- or, for that matter, where he or she will be or would like to be in the future. The concept of sexual orientation as an ongoing dynamic process is necessary if we are to understand a persons orientation properly in its entirety.

Please note that although it is entirely possible for an individual to utilize the Klein Grid for the purposes of better determining self identification through a process of self assessment, if you are in the process of coming out as bisexual, the best option is to seek the guidance of a professional therapist.

Opinion

For many, the challenging period in woman’s life, characterized by midlife crisis and menopausal transition, became really unbearable. Here you see sad results – nervous breakdowns, depressions, broken families. Sometimes, it is quite tempting to let it go and change your life upside-down. For some, it is indeed a helpful solution, for other, it is another nightmare. If there is no peace in your mind and body, replacing home, lifestyle, even your sexual identity, might not help.

I also challenge the popular statement - "experiencing a change of sexual orientation." I would rather say that sexual orientation remains more or less fixed in majority of cases. Rather, many women experience sexual fluidity--a deviation away from their own in-born orientation. There is a big difference between "changing sexual orientation" and "experiencing sexual fluidity".

So, in practice, this natural sexual fluidity, which is especially active during the crisis times, should not substantially impact the women, who never had any homosexual predisposition in their life. There is no switch in your brain, which can change you from hetero- to homo- overnight. However, for those, who were always bisexual, that might move the balance to the other side of the fence.  Bisexual women have had a lifetime of sexual attraction to both men and women. Maybe they tried to repress it for years and focus on the male attraction...in which case, thats just repression of the inborn bisexual orientation.

Think twice, before overwhelmed by the sexual fluidity and being frustrated with your lifelong partner, you decide to dispose in a trash can your previous life, your lifetime desires for men, and announce to your friends and family "Hello, Im a lesbian now." May be, that is not what you want? May be, that is not what you need? Do you really think that finding a female partner, which will fit you, is easier than finding a male partner? Well, may be, THIS change will do you good. But, before making final decision, consult your therapist, and try to find, what you really want.

Sources and Additional Information:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1296628/Scientists-say-more-women-changing-sexuality-mid-life-Can-really-true-And-whats-emotional-cost.html

http://open.salon.com/blog/silkstone/2009/12/10/you_might_be_a_lesbian_--_and_not_know_it

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jul/22/late-blooming-lesbians-women-sexuality

http://endo.endojournals.org/content/152/8/2937.full

http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/research/ak-hhscale.html

http://www.bisexual.org/kleingrid.html

Menopause and High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure generally increases after menopause. Some doctors think this increase suggests that the hormonal changes of menopause may play a role in high blood pressure. Others think an increase in body mass index (BMI) in menopausal women may play a greater role than hormonal changes.

Menopause-related hormonal changes can lead to weight gain and make your blood pressure more reactive to salt in your diet — which, in turn, can lead to higher blood pressure. For some women, hormone therapy (HT) for menopause also may contribute to increases in blood pressure.

General causes for high blood pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is caused by several factors including: age, heredity, race, sodium intake, obesity, alcohol, and inactivity.

* Age. As people age, there is an increased likelihood of high blood pressure.

* Heredity. High blood pressure tends to run in families.

* Race. African Americans tend to develop high blood pressure compared to Caucasians.

* Sodium intake.Some people have higher sensitivity to sodium. Consuming foods that are high in sodium cause an increase in blood pressure.

* Obesity. Blood pressure increases as body weight increases.

* Alcohol.Consuming more than one to two glasses of alcoholic beverages a day can increase blood pressure.

* Inactivity.Lack of exercise or leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and an increase in blood pressure.              

Hypertension as a key risk factor in menopause

As blood is pumped from your heart through your body, the blood puts force or pressure against the blood vessel (or artery) walls. Your blood pressure is a reading, or measure, of this pressure. When that reading goes above a certain point, it is called high blood pressure, another name for hypertension. When you have high blood pressure, it is partly because your blood vessels become narrower, forcing your heart to pump harder to move blood through your body. These changes cause the blood to press on the vessels walls with greater force.

High blood pressure is called the "silent killer" because it usually has no signs or symptoms. It is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard. If not controlled over time, high blood pressure can affect not only your heart and blood vessels but also other organs, making them function not as well as they should. The effects of uncontrolled high blood pressure include:

* Stroke. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke. High blood pressure can cause a break in a weakened blood vessel in the brain. This can cause bleeding in the brain, which is a stroke. If a blood clot blocks a narrowed blood vessel, it can also cause another type of stroke.

* Impaired vision. Blood vessels in the eye can in time burst or bleed due to high blood pressure. Vision can become blurred or impaired and can result in blindness.

* Kidney damage. The kidneys filter wastes from our bodies. Over time, high blood pressure can narrow and thicken the blood vessels of the kidneys. Thus the kidneys cannot do their job well, and wastes build up in the blood. When kidney failure occurs, medical treatment (dialysis) or a kidney transplant is needed.

* Heart attack. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attack. If the heart cannot get enough oxygen because of narrowed or hardened arteries, chest pain (angina) can occur. If the flow of blood is blocked, a heart attack results.

* Congestive heart failure. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for congestive heart failure, a serious condition where the heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the bodys needs.

So, hypertension is very most important risk factor that affects women in her postmenopausal years. About 30 to 50% of women develop hypertension (RR >140/90 mmHg) before the age of 60 and the onset of hypertension can cause a variety of symptoms that are often attributed to menopause.

Womens systolic pressure -- the top number in the blood pressure reading and the one thats more closely associated with heart disease risk and stroke in people over age 50 -- increases by about 5 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) with menopause. A study done between 2001 and 2003 among people over age 60 showed that women had a higher systolic blood pressure than did men in every state in America. According to the report, women tended to think they didnt have high blood pressure when, in fact, they did.

For healthy adults, blood pressure less than 120/80 mm Hg is desirable. Untreated high blood pressure can cause the heart to work too hard. Mild to moderate hypertension may cause complaints such as non-specific chest pain, sleep disturbances, headaches, palpitations, hot flushes, anxiety, depression, tiredness, etc.

Women with a family history of hypertension and women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy are at increased risk to develop hypertension in this age period. Hypertension often clusters with other risk factors such as overweight, elevated insulin resistance, diabetes, and lipid abnormalities. In the Women’s Health Study it was shown in almost 40,000 healthy women (≥45 years) that an elevated blood pressure increases CV risk and that hypertension is a strong predictor for the development of type II diabetes. Even in premenopausal women, hypertension has been shown to be a potent risk factor for the presence of coronary artery disease. Despite the high prevalence of hypertension in middle-aged women, less than half of the patients receive adequate treatment, especially in the older age group when the risk of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality is highest.

Checking blood pressure

Do you know that there are people having high blood pressure only when they visit their health care providers office? This condition is called white coat hypertension. It is quite easy and convenient to test your blood pressure at the convenience of your home. There are over-the-counter blood pressure measuring devices you can purchase in pharmacies and discount chain stores that you can use at home. These include the blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope and electronic monitors, such as digital readout monitors.

Here are some tips for what you can do to ensure as accurate a blood pressure reading as possible:

* Dont drink coffee or smoke for 30 minutes before the blood pressure check.

* Before your blood pressure is checked, sit still for five minutes with your back supported and your feet flat on the ground. Try to rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart.

* Go to the bathroom prior to the reading. A full bladder can change your blood pressure reading.

* Get two readings, taken at least two minutes apart, and average the results.

Controlling blood pressure

To control your blood pressure both before and after menopause, focus on a healthy lifestyle:

1. Get regular physical exercise. Exercise helps lower blood pressure because it makes the heart stronger. With greater strength, the heart can pump more blood with less effort. Being physically active for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week can lower blood pressure by 4 to 9 mm Hg.

2. Follow a healthy eating plan. A healthy diet consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. Limit consumption of red meat, processed foods and sweets. Several studies have shown that those who follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, a healthy diet similar to whats described here, may reduce blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.

3. Reduce dietary sodium. Salt (sodium) increases blood pressure in most people with high blood pressure and in about 25 percent of people with normal blood pressure. The recommended daily sodium intake is 1,500 to 2,400 milligrams; lower is even better.

4. Limit alcohol intake. In small amounts, alcohol can help prevent heart attacks and coronary artery disease. But that protective effect is lost when women regularly drink more than one drink a day. Above that amount, alcohol can raise blood pressure by several points and can interfere with blood pressure medications.

5. Achieve a healthy weight. Being thin isnt essential. But for those who are overweight, losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of body weight can lower blood pressure by several points. With less body mass to nourish, the heart doesnt have to pump as hard and the pressure on the arteries decreases.

6.  If you still smoke, stop!

 Latest research

While there is a definite causal relationship between ageing and tendency for higher blood pressure, the two new research studies have confirmed that there are no reasons to believe that menopause itself causes high blood pressure, and the hormonal changes impact on the high pressure development risk yet to be validated.

A study led by Dr Casiglia of University of Padova, Italy analyzed over 9,000 women aged 18 to 70 years. The researchers found that a higher risk of hypertension in menopausal women was due to their higher age not due to the fact that they were menopausal. The researchers concluded, “Conclusion: The cardiovascular effects usually attributed to menopause seem to be a mere consequence of the older age of menopausal women.”

A study led by Dr Cifkova from Prague, Czech Republic analyzed 900 women aged 45-54 years as they went through menopause. Researchers found there was no relationship between blood pressure and menopausal status - being premenopausal, going through menopause, or being postmenopausal. Menopausal status had no effect on the risk of high blood pressure. However, they found the main factor to increase blood pressure was an increase in BMI (Body Mass Index) or body fatness.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2644382/

http://www.sophisticatededge.com/can-menopause-cause-high-blood-pressure1.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menopause-and-high-blood-pressure/AN01463

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/117474.php

http://www.power-surge.com/educate/highbloodpressure.htm

http://www.my-health-software.com/view/items/menopausal-women.html

Heart Palpitations Irregular Heartbeats are Common at Menopause

Are you a woman age 35 years or older who sometimes experiences skipped heart beats or a racing heart even when you’re not exerting yourself? Do you sometimes awaken with a racing heart? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you are likely experiencing common symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.

Normal heart rate

The heart’s rhythm is coordinated by its own electrical system. With each heartbeat, the electrical impulse begins at the sinus (or sinoatrial, SA) node, also called the heart’s natural pacemaker. The SA node is a cluster of specialized cells, located in the right atrium. The SA node produces the electrical impulses that set the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat. The impulse spreads through the walls of the right and left atria, causing them to contract, forcing blood into the ventricles.

The impulse then reaches the atrioventricular (AV) node, which acts as an electrical bridge allowing impulses to travel from the atria to the ventricles. There is a short delay before the impulse travels on to the ventricles.

From the AV node, the impulse travels through a pathway of fibers called the HIS-Purkinje network. This network sends the impulse into the ventricles and causes them to contract. The contraction forces blood out of the heart to the lungs and body. The SA node fires another impulse and the cycle begins again. The heartbeat is triggered by electrical impulses that travel down a special pathway through your heart muscle.

What are heart palpitations?

Palpitations are irregular heartbeats that can include skipped beats, extra beats (as many as 8 to 16 beats a minute), and a racing heart (as many as 200 extra beats a minute). Many people suggest that having palpitations makes them "aware of their heart beating."

Women and men can have heart palpitations. In healthy people, they are most common in perimenopausal and menopausal women as a result of fluctuating hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Some perimenopausal and menopausal women suggest their palpitations occur during or after a hot flash.

"Palpitations usually last only a few seconds to a minute or two," says Summit Medical Group cardiologist Andrew D. Beamer, MD, FACC. "If you have palpitations that are frequent and last for long periods, you should see your cardiologist immediately. Even if your palpitations are associated with perimenopause or menopause," says Dr. Beamer, "there are treatments such as beta blockers that can help reduce their frequency and intensity."

Symptoms of irregular heart rhythms

An arrhythmia may be "silent" and not cause any symptoms. A doctor can detect an irregular heartbeat during an examination by taking your pulse, listening to your heart or by performing diagnostic tests.

If symptoms occur, they may include:
* Palpitations -- a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering, "flip-flops" or feeling that the heart is "running away"
* Pounding in the chest
* Dizziness or feeling light-headed
* Shortness of breath
* Chest discomfort
* Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired)

Symptoms of palpitations represent 15-25 percent of all the symptoms reported by female heart patients. 

They are associated with:

* Premenstrual syndrome

* Pregnancy

* Perimenopausal period

When palpitations are present, the doctor begins his or her evaluation by looking for underlying heart disease. The importance of palpitations and the need for treatment is determined by the presence of underlying heart disease, the type of irregular heartbeats that are occurring and other symptoms that are present.

Common causes

Common causes of heart palpitations include:

* Alcohol

* Caffeine

* Pseudoephedrine, a stimulant in decongestants

* Dehydration, causing an electrolyte embalance

* Phentermine, ephedrine, and caffeine in diet pills

* Emotional stress, which releases adrenaline

* Hormonal changes

* Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially when first beginning treatment

* Monosodium glutamate in Chinese food, processed foods, canned vegetables, canned soups, and processed meats

* Nicotine

In most cases, palpitations associated with menopause are not an indication of heart problems. Palpitations often go away after several months, but even they can recur from time to time.

Although heart palpitations can be disconcerting, remember that most often they are a normal part of aging. Try to remain calm when you have them and focus on your breathing. If you have heart palpitations when you are active, stop what you are doing and sit down or lie down and breathe deeply and slowly through your nose and out your mouth. Your normal heart rate should return within a few minutes.

Why does menopause cause irregular heartbeats?

During the menopause, the amount of the hormone estrogen gradually declines. However, this decline is not steady and often there are erratic fluctuations during the perimenopause and menopause.

 Estrogen has an effect on the dilation of the coronary arteries. When low, the arteries contract, and when high, they dilate. This can lead to changes in blood pressure and heart rhythm.

Estrogen also has an effect on the autonomic nervous system which regulates the unconscious functions of the body such as heart rate and breathing. Changes in oestrogen levels mean that the nervous system fluctuates between being highly stimulated to being stimulated very little, having a direct impact on heartbeat regularity.

How are arrhythmias diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of an arrhythmia, you should make an appointment with a cardiologist. You may want to choose an electrophysiologist, a cardiologist who has received additional specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

After evaluating your medical history and discussing your symptoms, a physical exam will be performed. The cardiologist also may perform a variety of diagnostic tests to help confirm the presence of an arrhythmia and determine its causes.

If your heart rate is very fast,

if you are feeling dizzy or faint,

or if you feel tightness or pain in the chest or neck,

you should get immediate emergency treatment.

Underlying Dangers of an Irregular Heartbeat

Experiencing an irregular heartbeat during menopause is not something that is dangerous in itself. Usually, irregularities in your heartbeat will last between a few seconds and several minutes, but they will correct themselves. Irregular heartbeats as a result of menopause will usually come to an end once you reach postmenopause.

However, though irregular heartbeats can often pose no danger, they can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as:

* Overactive thyroid. This will also be accompanied by other symptoms such as mood swings, diarrhea, and hyperactivity.

* Anemia. Hair loss, itchy skin, and headaches will usually accompany this condition.

* Dehydration.Dehydration is associated with tiredness, a dry mouth, and concentrated urine.

If you are concerned that your irregular heartbeat is a symptom of another condition, then you should consult a medical practitioner.

Emotional Impact of an Irregular Heartbeat

An irregular heartbeat does not just have an effect upon your physical health; it can also present dangers to your emotional and mental health as well. Suffering from an irregular heartbeat can heighten stress levels, since they may make you worry about what it is and what is causing it. Stress itself heightens your risk of suffering from an irregular heartbeat, so it can become a vicious circle. Heightened stress, anxiety, and panic can lead to panic attacks, which cause heart palpitations as well as nausea and fear, symptoms that have been known to be confused for heart attacks.

What Can You Do about an Irregular Heartbeat?

Despite an irregular heartbeat not being dangerous the majority of the time, it is worth avoiding lifestyle habits that could trigger them. Try to cut down on caffeine and alcohol, as well as rich, spicy foods. Smoking or the use of recreational drugs can easily exacerbate the problem, as well as precipitating more dangerous conditions. Maintaining a regular exercise regime will work toward keeping your heartbeat steady and will improve your overall health at the same time.

The most immediate way to deal with rapid or irregular heartbeat when it occurs is to try to relax. Take deep breaths, practice yoga or meditation, or employ other relaxation techniques.

Experiencing an irregular heartbeat can be frightening and stressful. Fortunately, irregular heartbeats during menopause are usually caused by hormonal imbalances and present no danger. However, if you are experiencing irregular heartbeats regularly, if they are accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath, or if you are concerned about your symptoms, then it is best to consult with a physician.

Sources and Additional Information:

http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/article/Heart-Palpitations-in-Perimenopause-and-Menopause/

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/electric/women-abnormal-heart-beats.aspx

http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/symptoms/irregular-heart-beat/

http://www.34-menopause-symptoms.com/irregular-heartbeat/articles/dangers-of-an-irregular-heartbeat-during-menopause.htm

http://www.menopausehealthmatters.com/menopause-heart-palpitations.html

Planning for a baby

Planning for a baby is a very exciting stage in a couples life. But it can be a frustrating one if we dont get the facts right.

To lessen your frustration and to make the process as smooth as possible, its best to be properly equipped with enough pregnancy information. One of the first things of today healthcare is to know what is actually happening for planning for a baby!

In planning for a baby, it is very important to know of the following two points:

How does a baby happen?

First comes ovulation - a term we commonly used to define the release of an egg (usually one, though sometimes more) from a womans ovary. Conception occurs when a sperm fertilizes the egg. While sperm can survive for several days inside a womans reproductive tract, an egg can only survive for up to 24 hours after ovulation. The result of this is that, there is a limitation on the time when conception is most likely to occur.

When are women most fertile?

Women are most fertile 12 to 14 days before the start of their next period. During this time they will have a small window, that is, a few days, in which to get pregnant. For the egg to be fertilized, sperm must be present in their body at the same time that they release an egg.

To establish when you are most likely to get pregnant, you will need to understand well about your menstrual cycle. The usual practice is to make a note in your diary of when your period starts - this is referred to as day one. Count the days until your period arrives again, i.e. the end of your cycle is the day before your next period begins. In general, cycles can range from about 21 to 40 days, with only 10 per cent being precisely 28 days. If your cycle is generally 28 days long, then you know that you are likely to ovulate on day 14.

However, if your menstrual cycle varies every month, it can be difficult to predict the date of ovulation. Nevertheless, you can conduct tests that determine the day you ovulate, such as keeping a temperature chart or using a home ovulation kit. Tests should be conducted over a number of cycles so as to determine your pattern of ovulation.

How do you increase your chances of being pregnant?

In this respect, women should monitor their bodys fertile time period closely. There are several methods a woman can use to determine when she is most likely to conceive, for example:

• By using a calendar to chart the menstrual cycle;
• Charting basal body temperature;
• Examining cervical mucus; or
• A combination of the above methods

I would like to highlight that the charting methods require women to record the secondary signs of fertility caused by changes in hormones. Because these conditions can be affected by factors such as infections or medications, as such careful monitoring and analysis is important, although they are never 100% reliable.

An alternative to these methods is to measure changes in a woman hormone levels. Women may not aware that an increase in the level of estrogen marks the beginning of most womens fertile phase, while an increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH) level signals that ovulation will occur soon - usually within approximately 24 to 36 hours. Women may want to know that the fertility monitor is considered a relatively new approach designed to provide daily information about a womans fertile time period. It works by recording a womans daily fertility level (low, high, peak) based on results from urine tests. This detects the increases in the levels of estrogen and LH with the aim to help women to potentially identify the days they have the optimal chances of conceiving.

What are the hitches - infertility?

What if you still dont get pregnant? It is prudent to be mindful about infertility as well. Infertility is the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of normal sexual intercourse without contraception. As far as healthcare is concerned, it is good to know that infertility can affect either the man or the woman or both.

Factors that may affect fertility included:

• Excessive smoking and alcohol intake;
• General health concerns such as obesity, thyroid disease or uncontrolled diabetes;
• Psychological factors such as stress, tension and anxiety; and
• Some types of medications.

The causes in female infertility could be due to:

1. Failure to produce eggs.
2. Certain hormonal imbalances.
3. Failure for the ovaries to develop, as seen in conditions such as Turners syndrome.
4. Womb tumour or scarring that prevents fertilized eggs from implanting.
5. Endometriosis, a condition that causes abnormal growth of the endometrium tissue, often causing scarring and inflammation in women reproductive organs.
6. Blocked Fallopian tubes (the tubes that take eggs from the ovaries to the womb). This is often caused by scarring following infections such as pelvic inflammatory diseases (PlDs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
7. Hostile mucus at the cervix (neck of the womb) which does not allow sperm to enter.
8. Some women may have negative reaction to their partners sperm.

Nevertheless, there are excellent screening methods as well as alternative medicine treatments available for both male and female infertility. The advice here is to speak to your doctor.

How to get prepare for a pregnancy?

If you are trying to get pregnant, you should see your doctor to discuss any regular medications or prescription drugs you are taking, and whether or not they are safe to take throughout your pregnancy.

As far as today healthcare is concerned, it is important to ask your doctor if you might need additional nutritional supplements to help keep you healthy while trying to get pregnant and throughout your pregnancy.

Nutrition during pregnancy

Women should know that a well balanced diet can provide a pregnant woman with most of the nutrients needed during pregnancy, although some supplements is necessary. Women should take extra folic acid for at least a month before getting pregnant and for the first 3 months of pregnancy as this is vital for healthy babys development and to help prevent conditions such as spina bifida.

Although folic acid supplements is easily available from your local pharmacy, its advisable to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take any supplements. However, and in addition to folic acid, some women may need supplements of calcium, iron and zinc to keep both mother and baby in good health during the pregnancy. Eating calcium-rich foods such as dairy products will definitely help to increase a woman calcium intake.

Rubella

Some women who wish to start a family may need a rubella (German measles) vaccination prior to becoming pregnant. If a mother is not protected from German measles and comes into contact with the virus while pregnant, the babys healthy development may be at risk.

Harmful substances

Women who are pregnant or planning to conceive should abstain from drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes or marijuana, as well as to minimize caffeine intake from coffee, tea and cola drinks. All these substances could affect the healthy development of the baby.

What you should do is to seek medical advice if:

• you have missed a period but have had a negative pregnancy test;
• you have had a positive pregnancy test; or
• you have been having abdominal pain or period problems such as heavy bleeding, period pain or no period.

How To Get Rid Of Gray Hair Naturally

Gray hair is often associated with age, but this is a natural process that can occur at a young age. But do not worry there are natural way to get rid of gray hair, The emergence of gray hair is a symptom of a disturbance in protein synthesis. Melanocyte cells can no longer produce pigment (melanin) so that colors hair to be lost.

Premature aging of the hair due to various factors. For example, genetic factors, the use of certain chemicals, shampoos that contain sulfur or suffer from anemia (pernicious anemia).

Here are tips on how to get rid of gray hair in young age:

1. Preventing Stress

Pressure is often experienced by teenagers in modern times like this is one cause of gray hair. This is because the pressure of the lessons they learned in school. Stress is one of the factors causing aging of the hair. Therefore, a more chill out and relax, you can prevent the onset of gray hair prematurely.

2. Maintain Cleanliness Scalp

Research conducted by dermatologists showed that dandruff is also one of the causes of gray hair. Use an anti-dandruff shampoo or lemon juice as a natural alternative to eliminate dandruff.

3. Set Diet

Malnutrition is one of the causes of gray hair or premature aging of the hair. Excessive dietary intake resulted in a lack of nutrients needed by the body. This results in the body and hair aging prematurely. Therefore, set your diet with a good and balanced to prevent premature aging of the hair and body.

4. Consuming food rich in iron

Iron deficiency can lead to the emergence of gray hair. Iron helps the body produce melanin that can dye the hair. Eat seafood, especially crab, spinach, lemon and mushrooms that have a high iron content.

5. Make a Regular on Hair Care

Perform maintenance on the hair to prevent premature aging of the hair. Rub a mixture of pumpkin and coconut oil for about an hour on the hair, then rinse. Do it regularly to prevent premature aging or growth of gray hair on your beautiful hair.

6. Curry Leaves, Indian Tribes Hair Beauty Secrets

The Indians use curry leaves to maintain the beauty of their hair. Try adding the food you eat or rub it on your hair after mixed with warm water.

7. Black tea

A cup of black tea is added one tablespoon of salt, you can use as a material for massaging the head. Do a massage at least half an hour, then rinse using your favorite shampoo. Moisture from the warm tea, can provide the nutrients from the roots to the ends of hair.

10 Food Sources of Iron for Anemia

Insufficient number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood is called anemia. The most common symptoms of anemia include fatigue or lack of energy, tired, and susceptible to colds and other infections.

There are many different causes of anemia. Anemia may be caused by illness or loss of blood. In this article we will discuss only the anemia caused by iron deficiency. Anemia due to iron deficiency caused by lack of food that contains enough iron.

Iron is a mineral found in nature and when consumed through fruits and vegetables, are used by the body to manufacture hemoglobin. In treating iron deficiency or anemia, your doctor may prescribe a multivitamin that contains iron. But in general, the intake of foods that contain iron along with adequate rest anemia will return to normal conditions.

Here are some foods that are rich in iron:

1. Apricots

This fruit contains iron which is perfect for ensuring the body gets iron intake. .

2. Beet greens

Beet greens are a source of vitamins A and B2. Beet greens can also enrich the blood with iron and manganese.

3. Chard

Chard is a vegetable that contains vitamin A and iron.

4. Corn

Corn is rich in iron and copper. Maize is also a good source of vitamins A and C.

5. Eggs

Eggs are rich in all minerals, including iron, and vitamin B. Ideal eggs consumed at breakfast because it contains a sufficient amount of energy.

6. Watercress

Watercress is an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin B and C. Watercress contains high amounts of iron, calcium, and potassium.

7. Molasses

Molasses provides an excellent source of iron for anemia.

8. Raisins

Raisins contain iron which is very high. Raisins are also a food that is alkaline and can help the body cope with the acidic conditions.

9. Spinach

Besides iron, spinach also contain vitamin A. Spinach should be a routine part of everyones diet.

10. Almond

This nut is very rich in iron and can increase blood flow in the body. One ounce of almonds a day provides 6% of your iron needs every day.

Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits And Nutrition Fact

Various research activities conclude behind the spicy taste, cayenne pepper has many benefits, especially for health. Can reduce the risk of cancer, lower cholesterol levels in the blood and can heal the wounds.

Results of laboratory research in the UK found that the content of capsaicin in cayenne pepper that cause a sense of spicy, can kill cancer cells without damaging normal cells. So it is no wonder why some cancer cases in Mexico and India, where people eat lots of spicy food, less than Western countries, where people tend to not like spicy food.

Meanwhile, two research by a team from Australia was also revealed, adding cayenne pepper in every cuisine can lower cholesterol levels in the blood. The results also explain, spicy foods can also stabilize insulin levels in the blood.

In the dose that is not excessive, spicy foods beneficial to the stomach. Thus the results of the study by a team of researchers from Hungary. Capsaicin can reduce stomach acid and serve as anti-inflammatory.

Nutrition Fact of Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne peppers have amazingly very high levels of vitamins and minerals. Just 100 g provides (in % of Recommended daily allowance):

127% of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid),

39% of vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine),

54% of niacin,

71% of riboflavin,

1387% of vitamin A,

97.5% of iron,

41% of copper,

43% of potassium,

but no cholesterol.

Health benefits of Cayenne pepper

• Improve blood circulation

Cayenne pepper increases blood circulation in the body. Which in turn can help prevent low blood pressure problems. It also helps to prevent blood stagnation problems.

• Relieves muscle pain

Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin, these substances can help to relieve pain and muscle spasm problems. It also helps to relieve joint pain in arthritis condition.

• Helps detoxify

Cayenne pepper is known as a circulatory stimulant for the body. It helps to assist the bodys digestive system. It helps in cleansing and detoxification processes, helping to sweat excessively, which is also good for detoxification.

• Helps you lose weight

Cayenne pepper is rich in antioxidants, which help to increase the bodys metabolic rate. Consuming cayenne pepper in the diet can also help in losing weight and burn off excess fat from the body.

• Maintain a healthy heart

Cayenne pepper helps to reduce levels of bad cholesterol from the body. Which in turn prevents the risk of heart disease. Cayenne pepper also helps to lower blood pressure, body, thus providing benefits for heart health.

• Helps in Allergies

Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in skin allergic conditions. It also helps to relieve the pain caused by arthritis conditions.

• Helps to treat colds and flu

Cayenne pepper helps reduce the formation of dense mucus that cause colds. in the presence of capsaicin contained therein. So that cayenne pepper can also relieve nasal congestion.