Progesterone: Benefits for Women During the Phases of Menopause

Menopause can be a disruptive phase of life for many women. Throughout menopause, many women can experience uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, vaginal dryness, mood disturbances, and hair loss.

While menopause can be unsettling, the good news is there are simple ways to address it. One of the simplest ways to slow hormonal decline during and after menopause is quality hormone therapy.

When hormones are out of balance, women’s health can suffer. Hormone therapy, such as progesterone replacement therapy, can address problematic vasomotor symptoms of menopause while significantly reducing the risk of menopausal bone loss.

Progesterone is often combined with other hormones to support a healthy balance in the body. Balanced hormones support the health of bones, teeth, brain, heart, eyes, skin, metabolism, and overall wellbeing. Additionally, progesterone helps the body equalize estradiol levels and keep them in check at the uterine lining.

Progesterone therapy can benefit menstruating women with low progesterone levels; perimenopausal and menopausal women requiring hormone replacement therapy; men with low hormone levels; or women and men with central nervous system conditions.

Progesterone can be prescribed in different forms including tablets, skin patches, vaginal creams, vaginal suppositories, or intrauterine devices. Studies support oral progesterone as an accessible alternative with limited complications.

If you are interested in learning more about progesterone, reach out to connect with us today!

Tips and Tricks for Men Who Want to Look and Feel Their Best

Many men don’t always look or feel their best. Fortunately, with some simple tips and tricks, you can make progress in surprisingly little time. If you’re ready for more confidence, energy, and focus, here are some tips and tricks specifically for men.

Develop a Skincare Routine

Until recently, skincare was largely women’s domain. Luckily, the market is shifting, giving more attention to men who want to look their best.

Ideally, you want to develop a skincare routine that addresses your specific skin concerns. Start with a cleanser designed for your skin type (dry, oily, or combination) and find a moisturizer with the right benefits. Along with hydration, moisturizers can serve other functions, such as anti-aging. Just make sure everything you use is noncomedogenic.

Updating your shaving routine is also a wise move. Along with creating an opportunity for some self-care, you can integrate techniques to prevent razor burn, an issue that many men consider unsightly.

Embrace the Power of Goal Setting

On the surface, it might not seem like goal-setting would help you look or feel your best. However, by choosing well-defined targets and going after what you want, you actually have plenty to gain.

Achieving a goal – even a small one – is a major confidence boost. Plus, you can set goals specifically relating to looking and feeling great. Whether that’s committing to self-care, working out regularly, eating right, or anything in that vein, those goals may improve your appearance and bolster your mental health.

For example, if you always wanted to get a Master’s degree, make that an official goal and plan a path to make it a reality. You could go back to school by enrolling in an online program. Along with improving your knowledge of business, strategy, and management, a WGU MBA will also improve your leadership skills and self-awareness, giving you a much-needed confidence boost.

Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone levels shift for many reasons. In some cases, it’s simply a part of aging, leading to a natural slow decline over time. For example, when it comes to testosterone production rates in men, they typically lose about 1 percent per year after age 30.

When testosterone levels fall, several changes take place. Reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, declining energy, less self-confidence, and shifts in sexual function can all be part of the equation.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) lets you shore up declining testosterone levels. In turn, you typically have renewed vigor and may experience other benefits. Order your labs at BluePrint Health today!

Talk When Times Get Tough

Many men were taught to bottle up their emotions. The problem is that suppressing what you feel typically comes with consequences. Along with harming your mental health, it can lead to physical stress. Your blood pressure may rise, you might grind your teeth, or you may struggle to get quality sleep.

Finding a way to release that stress is essential. Often, the simplest option is talking with someone you trust. Whether that’s a family member, partner, friend, or counselor isn’t as important as having a solid outlet.

Ideally, you want to choose someone who will listen instead of a person who’d try to fix the problem. That allows you to get your thoughts off of your chest with less direct attempts to intervene regarding the issue. If your social circle tends to include “fixers,” state at the start of the conversation that what you need is an ear, not a solution. If that doesn’t work, find a counselor, as they’ll easily fill that role.

Why Taking a Self Care Trip May Just Be Exactly What the Doctor Ordered

Indeed, the frantic pace of life can leave us all feeling a little worse for the wear at times. This is why taking a self-care trip to 'reset' our mind, body and emotions becomes more of a necessity than desire. The BluePrint Health blog shares some places you need to see if you just have to get away for a bit.

Seattle

Seattle is one of the most popular destinations for those looking for a refreshing change of scenery. Furthermore, Seattle has the best of worlds - an incredible skyline and incredible natural beauty that is sure to rid your mind of any worries weighing you down. In fact, visit Seattle for a day, and you're probably going to want to stay much longer. Apartment rentals in Seattle also aren't too bad on the pocket, either, which is also one less thing to worry about at the end of the day. When searching for a suitable apartment here, you're also likely to find one that meets most (if not all) of your requirements in terms of amenities. If you can't wait just a moment longer (and who could blame you) you could speed up your search by looking for apartments near Seattle online and go for the 3D virtual tour route which is included in some listings.

Fort Lauderdale

When you need to take your eyes off your current challenges, why not concentrate on the beautiful seaside views of Fort Lauderdale instead? This scenic city has everything you could ask for as far as natural beauty goes. However, it is the idyllic ocean-side views of this lovely city that consistently come out on top. Like Seattle, you're also likely to find your dream apartment fairly quickly too, as there are a wide variety of homes to suit pretty much everyone's preferences, regardless of if you're a family of one or ten.

Atlanta

Atlanta is one of those places that has the perfect combination of both natural and city beauty. If nature is the one thing that calms your mind and senses the most, then passing the time away in 'The City in the Forest' as Atlanta is otherwise known is certain to take you there. Alternatively, if you need a reminder of all the good things in life, Atlanta has a rich cultural history and is the birthplace of many famous people who have gone on to do great things. So, if you're looking for a place to  'reset' your stale mindset, Atlanta could be it. 

San Diego

San Diego is one of those cities with a charm like no other. Furthermore, it’s the ideal place to visit (perhaps even live) if you’re looking for a complete change of scenery. In fact,  it’s probably this very quality that makes San Diego one of the most sought-after destinations for those looking to escape the monotony of daily life. Moreover, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to relaxing good-for-the-soul activities in this popular city. For example, if you love animals, the world-renowned San Diego Zoo is certainly something to see. Or perhaps you’re just wanting to kick back and relax for a day (or three) near the sea in which case San Diego has got you covered. It’s no wonder why people are flocking to visit, and even live, in this idyllic city.

In summary, when life has seemed to have gotten the better of you, and you're feeling the need to get away from it all, then you should take heed of these warning signals and take that break you deserve. Furthermore, if we want to function at our best self-care is not only acceptable to do every once in a while, but it is vital to our overall well-being.

 

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