Menopause? Pamper Yourself!
Power Surge™ Live!
Host: Dearest
Guest: Colette Bouchez
Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause

About Colette Bouchez

Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause

Dearest: My guest tonight, COLETTE BOUCHEZ, is an award-winning medical journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She is the former medical writer for the New York Daily News and the author of six health books for women. Her syndicated newspaper columns on health, fitness, and beauty were regularly published in more than 1,500 newspapers around the world. Her articles have appeard in dozens of magazines. In her newest book, Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause: Health, Beauty, and Lifestyle Advice for the Best Years of Your Life," Colette Bouchez dispenses the latest news on everything from hot flashes, insomnia, and dysfunctional bleeding to incontinence, bone health, weight control, and more. She explores the latest buzz on HRT, natural hormones, and the newest prescription drugs, as well as the latest in natural and traditional care. "Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause" includes tips on anti-aging skin care, make-up, diet and exercise, having great mid-life sex and more. More than just somber discussions about HRT, award-winning journalist, Bouchez, created a rejuvenating handbook that blends authoritative clinical research with the humor, fun and conversation tone of your very best friend. A very warm welcome to Power Surge, Colette -- do you mind if we call you by your first name? ColetteBouchez: Please do - I feel I'm with friends - because we all share so much. Dearest: Thanks :) Colette, instinct tells me that the majority of women going through menopause can't relate to being "perfectly pampered" while going through the rigors of peri and postmenopause. In what context do you mean "perfectly pampered" for women going through menopause? ColetteBouchez: Well, you're right about that - about not feeling pampered, which I guess is the whole reason YOU DO need the advice in this book! I think by the time we all reach meonpause - and I'm there with ya all - our lives revolve around taking care of others. whoamitoday: Advice on how to pamper ourselves going through a very trying time in our lives? ColetteBouchez: We forget ourselves or lose ourselves in the process - so, menpause may be the right time to get some pampering! I think one way is to just acknowledge that this is a trying time in your life and you may need a little extra care - Self care - as well as medical care! Dearest: Which is why I asked about the title, Colette. Your book is chock-a-block filled with such excellent information about menopause - including how to pamper ourselves - yet the title didn't quite seem to fit the content. ColetteBouchez: Do you mean because you were expecting a fluffy book? :) Gals in menopause can be fluffy too :) Dearest: Well, of course, we're fluffy and full of foo-foo :) But, I have the book and it's loaded with such important medical information, the title only captured one portion of a comprehensive book for women in menopause and all the health issues they face. ColetteBouchez: You're right. The title is a bit misleading - because there are lots of serious issues to contend with as well. Dearest:...and so many women are feeling, pardon my French, like crap, too! ColetteBouchez: Yup - feeling like crap is pretty much part of the package - but it doesn't have to be! Dearest: Colette, what with so many women in or going into perimenopause, we seem to be the focus of the pharmaceutical and marketing companies. Women are SO confused by all the contradictory studies coming out every day, week, month. On Monday, product "A" is excellent and a month later, the dangers of using product A are being written about. In a few months, it's withdrawn from the market. Who are we to believe? ColetteBouchez: Great question! I think you have to start by looking at the bigger picture. Usually, even with all the conflicting data, there is some thread of continuity - something that carries over. Medicine, I always say, is a work in progress - like us! The point I guess is not to be frightened by what you read and not to let it get out of context. TARKL: With all of the conflicting data, it is hard to make a decision. ColetteBouchez: She's right - it is hard to decide sometimes - and the frustration is there for all of us, not just with menopause but with all health concerns. One reason I wrote this book is to give women information to help them make choices -- To help them interpret some of what's out there - because it can be confusing. I think what's key to remember, always is that every woman is an individual and there is no one right answer for all of us! Dearest: Colette, you refer in your book to "medical pampering." Can you elaborate on this? ColetteBouchez: Medical pampering is what you should be getting from your doctor - but don't always get. It's having him or her take that extra time to really listen to what your complaints are and not routinely blame everything on menopause. Sometimes important problems get overlooked because even the doc says, "Oh, it's hormones." But a little bit of pampering - which is really just another way of saying taking good care of yourself - can keep that from happening Dearest: What with the "rules" of HMO's today, how realistic is it to expect any kind of pampering or time from our healthcare practitioners? ColetteBouchez: I guess that's another reason I wrote this book - because there is so little bit of time with yoru doctor. I think if you can go into that appointment armed with some knowledge... and with some information about what your treatment options and care options are, you have a better chance of getting that extra measure of care. Dearest: Thanks, Colette. averagewoman: Are you familiar with the new once-a-month treatment for osteoporosis --starts with "bon.." like fosamax but just once a month. ColetteBouchez: I'm not sure exactly which drug you are referring to, but I do know there are some new treatments now including a once monthly treatment. What is it you want to know - do you have Osteoporosis? averagewoman: osteopenia. Just wondering if you've heard any good/bad things about it. ColetteBouchez: So, you're just at high risk - trying to reduce your risk? averagewoman: Yes. Currently taking Fosomax. ColetteBouchez: Is it not working for you? Is that why you are looking for something else, or does it make you sick/side effects? averagewoman: I've been having side effects like some heartburn, but the once a month pill is attractive. ColetteBouchez: Do you take it with food? And make sure you don't lie down afterwards - that can help with the heartburn. averagewoman: Not with food. Must be taken first thing in the morning. ColetteBouchez: Yes, I know, but you have to make sure you don't lie back down for a snooze after you take it! greenbean: I've had hot flashes for 13 years and now have been without a cycle for 2 months while taking NHRT (natural hormone replacement therapy). Is it true that you have to be without a cycle for 12 months before you are in full menopause? ColetteBouchez: Well, the clinical definition of menopause is when everything stops. so to speak so yes, doctors consider it to be menopause only after 12 months without a period. But as most of you probably know, symptoms are there for a long time before -and often after that happens. CW1: Hi. Can you recommend anything that can help stimulate weight loss? I would like to loose 45 lbs. and am exercising 6 days a week and eating low carb, but it's so slow!!! I'm 53 and just went thru 12 mos of no periods. Never had this problem before! Ugh! ColetteBouchez: Ahhh - you've got the menopause fat cell. The thing is that estrogen doesn't only affect your ovaries, it affects your whole body. One reason why we gain weight when estrogen levels begin to decline. Have you had your insulin levels tested - not sugar, but insulin? CW1: No. Have regular blood tests, though ColetteBouchez: If you are having problems losing weight you need to get an insulin test. CW1: What would insulin level testing show? ColetteBouchez: There were some interesing studies to show that when women go through menopause, they develop a condition that is not exactly diabetes, and it's kind pre-pre diabetes - a situation where the sugar levels are normal and insulin levels are high. This matters because your body cannot burn fat in the presence of high insulin. So, no matter how much you diet and exercise you won't seem to be losing much weight. CW1: Very interesting. Never heard of that. If insulin is high, then what? Dearest: Colette, but it's often more dificult to lose weight during perimenopause / aka at midlife because our metabolism slows down quite a bit. ColetteBouchez: There is a doctor in NY Medical College - Dr. Mogul - who did a lot of research on this. Yes, Dearest, the metabolism does slow down - and it's one reason, but it's not the only reason. You can usually impact the metabolism with exercise, but you said you are exercising a lot already - so that tells me something else has to be at work here -- something else that's keeping you from losing ... unless you're hiding those twinkies from me :) CW1: Yes, I am walking and doing strength and flexible exercises six times a week. ColetteBouchez: Then you are building lean muscle and that burns calories. CW1: I know! That's what I can't figure out! My clothes are not getting looser either. ColetteBouchez: That's why it might be worth your while to get an insulin blood test, but don't be surprised if your doctor is surprised with that request. CW1: Yes, thank you. I see my doctor next month. Why would dr not want to do insulin test? ColetteBouchez: It's not that they don't want to do the test, but medical logic holds that if sugar levels are normal, usually insulin levels are too, so they figure why test, but new studies are showing that, particularly for women in menopause, insulin levels can be high even when sugar is normal and that can play a role in weight gain Vilendrer: Is an insulin test simple to do - is fasting required? ColetteBouchez: Yes, there is some fasting required - but not dramatic. And sometimes they will do the six hour test - like for glucose - in this test you come in after a night's fast and drink a sugary beverage - they then measure insulin and sugar levels as they drop over 4-6 hours. CW1: What do they do if insulin is high, sugar okay? cotten: Are there symptoms when your insulin is high? ColetteBouchez: IF insulin is high and sugar is okay sometimes diet alone can work a low carb, high protein, high fiber diet, but sometimes you may need a little help from drugs like Metformin. These help the body utilize sugar better - so the insulin levels don't have to spike as high. Dearest: And how do insulin levels correlate with cortisol levels? ColetteBouchez: Cortisol is manufactured when we are under stress - and when insulin levels are high, it can cause cortisol levels to rise - and sometimes vice-versa CW1: Is Metformin a hormonal drug? I can't take hormones because I'm a breast cancer survivor. ColetteBouchez: No - Metformin is not a hormone. it's a drug that is used primarily to treat type II diabetes. It helps the body bring sugar into cells, so insulin levels don't have to rise as high. CW1: Thank you very much! Very helpful information. whoamitoday: What part does the thyroid play in perimenopause and menopause? ColetteBouchez: The thyroid is important all your life, not just during menopause or PM - I'm not sure what you mean in terms playing a role. Do you mean a slow down? whoamitoday: Yes, mine is underactive, but I've been told the symptoms of a low thyroid and menopause mimic each other. ColetteBouchez: Yes they, can, but they can also co-exist. You can have a slow thyroid for other reasons, and have menopause and have crossover symptoms. Were you tested and are you on any meds? whoamitoday: Yes, on meds for underactive thyroid. ColetteBouchez: Do you think the meds are increasing your menopause symptoms -- helping them? - or not affecting them at all? whoamitoday: Doctor is concerned about giving me hormones for hot flashes because of thyroid. ColetteBouchez: Hormones do impact the thyroid because there are estrogen receptors in the thyroid, so in this sense the hormones might affect the balance - if you are in good balance now with your meds. whoamitoday: I've been having hot flashes and break through bleeding using the Climara Pro patch. ColetteBouchez: Then it's possible the hormones could upset that balance. whoamitoday: Okay, thank you. Dearest: This leads me to another question I had. Don't you think many women's other health problems may be overlooked or missed because everything they complain about is attributed to menopause? ColetteBouchez: Oh, Dearest, a woman after my own heart - YES! I think that too many times EVERYTHING gets attributed to menopause when it's really another problem. For example, so many times irregular bleeding is blamed on hormones - and just as often it could be uterine polyps or even fibroids. ColetteBouchez: Can I ask a question of you all? Dearest: Sure, go ahead :) ColetteBouchez: We always hear about hot flashes and night sweats, but what other kinds of problems do you experience? Dearest: ... and live through them, too (even though many of us feel like we're dying). ColetteBouchez: :) Dearest: With the hot flashes? Dearest: Many complain of dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, palpitations, headaches, migraines, fatigue, dry skin, joint aches and pains -- the list goes on and on. ColetteBouchez: Not necesarily - I mean what other types of changes in your body - like your skin or hair or energy levels - stuff like that. MaryO: I had awful, random itching (formication) ColetteBouchez: What did you do for the itching - did anything help? MaryO: Not much helped. I finally went on Estrace and that helped a bit. Then I went off that and on soy (Revival) and the itching didn't come back - knock on wood. ColetteBouchez: Well at least something helped! Dearest: Itching, rashes, dry skin, hair falling out -- all common complaints by the women who frequent Power Surge. ColetteBouchez: What about skin - did anybody's skin start really drying out? I talk a lot about that in my book - how we have to change our whole skin care regimen and make-up because nothing looks right anymore! Dearest: Yes, my skin became quite dry. I developed scaly areas which the dermatologist said was eczema, but I don't believe it was eczema because none of the creams she prescribed for eczema helped - only creams for dry skin helped. I put up an article on dry skin tips in the Educate Your Body Library. ColetteBouchez: Lot sof women also break out badly during peri - it's like puberty in reverse! Dearest: Before that, you could fry an egg on my face. ColetteBouchez: When you're 13 your face breaks out because the hormones are surging up and then you get it again on the way out, when the hormones are surging down . Not fair! Dearest: Whoever said anything was "fair" during the menopausal years? ColetteBouchez: Not me! Dearest: But we must remember, it's not an "illness" - it's a natural time of life - as UNnatural as it may feel. ColetteBouchez: Oh definitely - I think part of the problem has been the "medicalization" of menopause - turning it into an illness instead of a right of passage! Dearest: Yes, which they're now trying to undo! Poe: I am interested in knowing more about skin care. ColetteBouchez: Skin care - do you have a specific question? Poe: Yes, I find that my face and hands are very dry since entering menopause. Dearest: Please do read Colette's book (and try to win a copy tonight) - and also read my article on dry skin tips (link above). ColetteBouchez: Are you using any moisturizers? How about soap - shower gels are worse than soap during menopause- they dry the skin more. I was having terrible problems with dry itchy skin and when I stopped the shower gels and went to Dove soap I saw such a change! And that's not a commercial:) Poe: Really! I use the shower gel all of the time. Thanks for tip, I will try soap, maybe Dove. ColetteBouchez: The problems with shower gels is they have lots of alcohol in them - that's what's drying - the soap doesn't need it because it's a solid - that's the difference. Dearest: As an aside, you tell an interesting story about your friend using tampons for incontinence. Can you share it with everyone here? ColetteBouchez: Well it's actually a funny story in the book about a friend who's sister was using tampons for incontinence and my friend thought she was just putting them in the wrong place - and had her "openings' mixed up! Dearest: Hahahaha! ColetteBouchez: But the truth is, that a tampon ( in the vagina) can act a little like a stopper to a dam - it creates an internal pressure that can help the bladder stay sealed and that can help some leaking. But it's really a "treamtent" that should only be used for a short period of time- like when you're exercising at the gym and don't want to have an accident because intserting a tampon when you're not bleeding can be very irritating - if you leave it in too long, so it's atemporary fix - but it does work. Any of you having any incontinence problems - that's so common but lots of women feel embarassed to talk about it. angel0508: Do you think herbs is a good way to go? They are so healthy for you and no side effects. ColetteBouchez: Well that's not entirely true! Dearest: Whoa, I wouldn't say no side effects. ColetteBouchez: Anything that can solve a problem, has the potential to create a problem! cotten: and as i ask all my surge buddies .. what would cause purple mottlled skin. A cold flash maybe, or just bad circulaton. ColetteBouchez: Definitely sounds like a circuation issue - where is the purple - legs, arms, face, other cotten: Arms mostly. ColetteBouchez: Does it go away when you move them about - like when you exercise your arms? cotten: And I feel the worst then. No. Dearest: Could it be cellulitis? That can cause a purplish skin discoloration. ColetteBouchez: I think cellulitis wouldnt be chronic - if you had it, I think you would see a pretty rapid progression to infection. Does it get worse when you exercise- look worse in color? cotten: It stays generally until I get a hot flash ColetteBouchez: Does it go away when you get a hot flash? cotten: it does then i turn red ColetteBouchez: It sounds to me like you are getting a preliminary dilation of your blood vessels - right before the flash comes on - do you have very fair skin? cotten: Yes, I do. ColetteBouchez: Then I think it probably means your vessles are close to the surface, so you are actually seeing your hot flash before it occurs - the dilation is happening and that's what's changing the color of the skin - did you mention this to your doctor - and do you have any other symptoms - shortness of breath, for example cotten: Sometimes it is extremly colorful. Dearest: Colette, don't you think it would be useful to get checked anyway by a dermatologist in case it's a skin issue unrelated to menopause? GA ColetteBouchez: Yes I do think so - but if it's a skin issue it's more likely to be there all the time and not come and go related to flashes - but a check up with a derm is a good idea too. whoamitoday: I am so tired,my energy level is null, my skin texture has changed, I use all kinds of mositurizers to stay soft, vaginal dryness/itching, migraines. ColetteBouchez: Are you on hormones? or any herbs? whoamitoday: I was. ColetteBouchez: and was it better when you were on them - or worse? whoamitoday: better,but because of the thyroid thing they took me off until I have more thyroid tests done next week. ColetteBouchez: Okay - well do you know that underactive thyroid can be a major cause of dry skin? pinkrose4955: Is dove good to use does dry you out? l also have very dry in my vagina what is good to use for dryness? whoamitoday: Yes. Dove is recommended by most dermatologists. ColetteBouchez: In the vagina you need to look to a lubricant - like KY Jelly - which is mild, or any of the products by vagisil - they are the purest. Dearest: pinkrose, you'll also find a great deal of information on vaginal dryness in Power Surge's article on Midlife Sexuality, Relationships, Vaginal Dryness whoamitoday: Ok, thanks. Dearest: Colette, you mention in your book, Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause, the ten top anti-aging ingredients that really work - what are they? pinkrose4955: Thank you. ColetteBouchez: But don't just use it for sex - use it all the time - that's one common mistake women make is thinking the lubricants are just for sex - but they can and should be used all the time- whenever you need that extra comfort. whoamitoday: Oh really? ColetteBouchez: Top ten - you want the list :) Dearest: Sure - whatever you can provide. Dearest: Whatever anti-aging ingredients you think are important. ColetteBouchez: Well, VItamin C is a great breakthrough for skin - because it actually helps skin rebuild collagen, but only one form works - L-Ascorbic acid- because it's the only one that can get deep enough into cells to start the collagen process. ColetteBouchez: Retinol products are great for wrinkles, but if you're "sagging" they won't be much help. For sagging you need firming - and that's the newest ingredients- the penta peptides - you can find them really inexpenisvely in the Olay Regenerist line. They charge like $17 for a bottle and it's the same stuff that you get in the $300 creams! Dearest: I use it every day :) Great stuff. whoamitoday: Me too. LOL. ColetteBouchez: I use it too - I think it makes a difference, don't you? Dearest: Absolutely. It even worked to remove a small eczema problem I had. ColetteBouchez: Yes - it would - because of the cell turnover - actually it just helps the skin increase turnover. whoamitoday: love it Dearest: Yes, it must also have some kind of exfoliant built in. I use it under Adrienne Arpel's face cream. ColetteBouchez: Any other Arpel fans out there - her Caviar cream is fabulous for sagging! Dearest: I love her products. I've used them for years. ColetteBouchez: You've got to try the cavier - I did a comparison study and found that it has the same ingredients as the creams that sell for $500 an ounce! It's amzing stuff - and it helps tighten the skin - not a lot of products do that! Dearest: True, and you can get her kits for great prices on HSN instead of buying the products "a la carte," so to speak :) ColetteBouchez: HSN definitely has the best buys on her stuff! mitz: Do you have any suggestions for incontinence? ColetteBouchez: Do you mean something you can do on your own - or a medical treatment? mitz: Something I can do on my own. I know that kegel exercises help to an extent. ColetteBouchez: They do ! But the main thing with incontinence is identifying the kind you have stress incontinence is when you "leak" from pressure on the bladder - like when you sneeze or exercise ... urge incontinence is when you can't "hold it " and have accidents - and each has a different cause and a different treamtent - and some women have both. Do you know the kind you have? mitz: I believe that most of mine is urge incontinence. ColetteBouchez: Then you can benefit most from something called "bladder retraining" I go into this in my book alot but basically it's a very simple program you do on your own to help retrain your bladder to "think" differently - sounds weird, I know, but it really works - you can retrain your muscles. marlo: Menopause is a natural transition. If it affects your everyday life and work,you really need something. I think the best thing is eating right, taking vitamins and drinking Revival. I think soy helps tremendously. Also the scent of lavender helps to calm you down. I spray it all over my sheets and pillow. Also eating salmon or taking omega 3's . Good for the heart. Dearest: Marlo, beautifully said :) I hope you learned some of that from Power Surge. ColetteBouchez: You are right - all these things can help - and exercise is important, too, because it helps the body cope with hormonal changes. Dearest: Yes, exercise, exercise, exercise - any form of exercise. People don't even realize how much it can help - even anxiety and depression! Dearest: And panic attacks! ColetteBouchez: Yes it can - it's because exercise helps your brain release endorphins-which is exactly what happens when we fall in love... and who doesn't feel great when they are in love! marlo: I clean the house like a mad woman. It helps. ColetteBouchez: Do you hire out ? :) charlee: Is there anything non-surgical way to tighten skin sagging on the neck area? My neck looks 10 yrs older than my face. I do not have dry skin - moisturize often. Have tried cellex C, Dermatologist, etc. - no results seen, the way my neck looks is doing a number on my self-esteem. ColetteBouchez: Skin on the neck -- well, it's a major problem, but the latest buzz is echinacea, or cone flower based creams. There is a real cult following - women who SWEAR it's a miracle worker for neck sags! Diane Young makes one, but it's very costly. Look around on the internet. I have some on my site that work well and don't cost alot. charlee: Health food store? ColetteBouchez: Yes, some health food stores carry them. It's really a beauty product more than a health product, but it does work well. Look for anything with coneflower in it, in the first few ingredients, you should see a difference in about two to three weeks tops. marysch: Is a certain amount of sunshine healthy for you? I am a sun-worshipper and love the healthy glow and tan I get :) marlo: Distinction on QVC. IT really works. I'm using it 6 days and see a difference already. ColetteBouchez: Sun is healthy, and you do need a little bit to process vitamin D - very healthy for your bones, but anything more than 20 minutes a day is risky. Dearest: Colette, in closing, what is the singularly most important message you'd wish to convey to women at midlife? ColetteBouchez: you need to use a sunscreen - it's vital - during Meno risks rise. My single most important message is to take a little time to take care of yourself - you might not be used to doing that - you might have even forgotten how to do it! But try to remember that what you are feeling is natural - and be good to yourself! And don't give up GYN exams just because your reproductive years are over. A lot of women do, but they're more important than ever during menopause and after. Dearest: So, pampering yourself during menopause would be learning to take time for yourself and take care of your health. ColetteBouchez: Yes - it's taking a little time for yourself - maybe more than you're used to doing - time to do something you really love even simple things -like a hot bath or reading a great book or gardening. Dearest: What would be your definition of "pampering" in one word? ColetteBouchez: Whatever makes you feel good - getting a facial, getting your hair done, getting a pedicure - it all works to reduce stress and make the transition easier. Pampering is . . . Power-Surge! It's sharing and caring about others . . . and that's what you folks are doing - what a great group - I'm impressed! Dearest: Thank you. That's kind of you to say. And we're impressed with you! Dearest: Colette, thank you for joining us to answer so many of our questions about women's health and menopause. I strongly recommend everyone read Colette Bouchez's book, Your Perfectly Pampered Menopause. ColetteBouchez: Great! I hope you all love the book - and please send your names to Dearest, so we can get them right out to you! Good night girls. Put on moisturizer and get some sleep! And Goodnight Dearest - and we'll be in touch about our mutual buddy.

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