Ruth S. Jacobowitz
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Ruth S. Jacobowitz |
(Ruth Jacobowitz's 1st visit to Power Surge) OnlineHost: Ruth Jacobowitz has entered the room. Dearest: My guest tonight in Power Surge is women's health advocate, international lecturer and author of four books, published in more than a dozen languages -- three of which are part of her wonderfully unique 150 Most-Asked Questions Series: "The 150 Most-Asked Questions About Menopause" "The 150 Most-Asked Questions About Questions About Osteoporosis"... "The 150 Most Asked Questions About Midlife Sex, Love & Intimacy What Women and Their Partners Really Want To Know" ... Dearest: ~~~~~~~ RUTH S. JACOBOWITZ~~~~~ Ruth is also co-author of "Managing Your Menopause". Ruth is affiliated with numerous national health organizations, and has appeared as an expert on numerous national radio and TV shows. Her articles and articles about her have appeared in many national publications. Ruth Jacobowitz's column, "Health Matters," is internationally syndicated, and her columns appear regularly in "Your Health" magazine and "The Chagrin Valley Times." Dearest: Ruth's primary interest is in the area of educating women as they travel beyond the whipper-snapper years into the more enlightened/ evolved years of maturity :) We have a wonderful opportunity tonight to pick Ruth's brain in a whole host of areas, menopause, osteoporosis, midlife sexuality. Dearest: Ruth, welcome to Power Surge. Many PS women in peri-menopause - are concerned about whether their libido will ever return to what it once was.. can you share with us your thoughts on that, please? Thanks :) Ruth Jacobowitz: It's a pleasure to be here. I 'm not sure your libido returns if you don't do something about it. Dearest: What do you mean by "do something about it," Ruth? Ruth Jacobowitz: I mean that often we lose that bit of testosterone we women have and even though it's though to be the male hormone it is the only hormone in males and females that creates desire. So it depends what your problems are. Dearest: Thanks, Ruth.. and thank you for your patience with AOL's technical difficulties tonight. We're all so glad you're here :) Joan5000: Ruth, can you shed any more light on estrogen causing blood clots? Ruth Jacobowitz: Light on estrogen causing blood clots-- Usually blood clots are a concern with the birth control pills usually containing a higher dose of estrogen. Typically estrogen does not cause blood clots, but is usually not recommended for women who have clotting problems Bskcreed: Estrogen level 44 mid cycle - just started Vivelle patch. Test level 17 also. What type of progest. and test. do you prescribe.? Dearest: Please remember that althouth Ruth is exceedingly knowledgeable, she is not a Power Surge medical consultant, so let's try to avoid very technical medical questions. Ruth Jacobowitz: Thanks Dearest. When it comes to progesterone, however one does not need to have an M.D. to cite studies which show that oral micronized progesterone is tolerated best by the body. Dearest: Of course, Ruth, but sometimes these gals questions can get VERY technical
. Ruth Jacobowitz: I'm sure. But you see, sometimes a journalist is more on top of things. smile :) Dearest: RSEquines, go ahead. RSEquines: I've been plagued with muscle tingles --creepy crawlies in the arms--can you explain hormonally what could create this situation? Ruth Jacobowitz: Yes, you're probably dealing with one of the rarer symptoms of menopause, called formication RSEquines: What on earth is formication--sounds awful! Ruth Jacobowitz: It is described as ants crawling on the skin and can best be explain by realizing that our skin is our largest organ, covered with estrogen receptors that at menopause begin to cry out for their missing estrogen DawnDidIt: How important are the "numbers" (hormone) and can anything be done about them? Ruth Jacobowitz: If you mean the numbers from your blood test, they are just showing that your body is trying to get your ovaries to release an egg and when the eggs have run out, such as what happens at menopause, they can't comply. Thus, a higher number. Yes, you can try HRT or ERT to replace estrogen. PFWLJ: Any studies on HRT and if it prolongs menopause or intensifies symptoms? Ruth Jacobowitz: On yes, certainly it does not intensify symptoms, but usually diminishes them or gets rid of them altogether. HRT does not prolong menopause--however, if you take it short term some of your symptoms may return when you quit. Dearest: PFWLJ, I think it's a question of semantics re the "prolonging" of menopause. Dearest: Ruth, what about women who complain of a return of symptoms after stopping HRT? PFWLJ: What is short term? Ruth Jacobowitz: It has been said that symptoms last about two years. So that might be considered short term. However, I know of women who have experienced hot flashes, etc. for 25 or 30 years and others who have had none. The knowledge here that is vital is--although menopause is universal, it is unique to each of us. Few rules apply. Chloecake: What is better...natural micronized testosterone or methyltestosterone? Ruth Jacobowitz: The latest studies seem to indicate that micronized is better simply because the particules are tiny and get into our systems more easily. CescaSF: Does conventional HRT (estrogen & progesterone) affect libido? Ruth Jacobowitz: Not really. Some say that because HRT rids us of vaginal thinning and drying and thus painful intercourse that it helps. Sure it does, but it is testosterone that is the hormone that creates desire. Dearest: Ruth, what are the negative side effects of taking testosterone? Ruth Jacobowitz: They are many and can be serious. Good Question. Let's start with the simple ones such as hirsuitism, acne, and aggressiveness all of which can be corrected by dose. But deepening of the voice cannot and enlargement of the clitoris is a problem. So testosterone has to be carefully, and individually administered by a physician who works with it frequently and watches your side effects carefully. Dearest: Ruth, what about deepening of the voice naturally without supplemental testosterone? Does..that indicate anything about one's testosterone levels? Ruth Jacobowitz: I'm not too knowledgeable about normal or abnormal changes in voice and would suggest a good ENT doctor to check it out. Dearest: Thanks, Ruth.. JESU, go ahead. JESU8: Is it really over after one year of no Periods? Any more weird symptoms to deal with? Ruth Jacobowitz: No it's probably not over after one year. I could spend three months on line describing the many and varied symptoms of the menopause. However, the most common are hot flashes (85%) of us get them along with their twin, the night sweats and of course those quirky changes in your periods that precede your last period and then comes a raft of other things for some of us like palpitations, mood swings, vaginal thinning. Etc. etc. etc. RCHCTH: Is there any connection with Restless leg syndrome and that creepy crawling feeling? Dearest: Ruth Jacobowitz: Not that I am aware. no studies done with that. RSEquines: Back to formication--am taking 900mg progesterone + remifemin--what will treat this junk? Ruth Jacobowitz: Junk? Are you talking about formication or Menopause in general? RSEquines: Ha -- formication :) Ruth Jacobowitz: Formication can be treated with Estrogen or even with estrogen cream or gel. It's a weird symptom and called rare, but I find it pretty common. MsLizzieB: HRT relieves some meno symptoms. If you choose no HRT, do you age faster, or is it pretty much the same either way? Ruth Jacobowitz: I don't think its the same. Estrogen seems to give us back the hormones that we had and therefore seems to delay wrinkling of the skin and aging of our organs. But, although I'm a believer in estrogen, I also believe that exercise and sound nutrition is probably the real elixir of life. CescaSF: What exactly is vaginal thinning? Ruth Jacobowitz: When estrogen is gone our tissues begin to thin somewhat and our lubrication diminishes. This causes problems particularly in the vaginal canal. So Intercourse can irritate those thin tissues. In addition to hormones, there are a whole fleet of over the counter vaginal moisturizers that can help. Dearest: Ruth, you're a barrel of information. Thank you. Ruth Jacobowitz: Your welcome. I love it here in your chat room. You are doing women a great service and I'm proud to be part of it. Dearest: Thank you, Ruth... as are you. I'm proud to have you here :) JKarpin455: Is it common to get bacterial vaginitis after hysterectomy..surgical menopause? Ruth Jacobowitz: I am not aware of any prevalence of bacterial vaginitis after surgical menopause. That's a good & important questions for your DR. Dearest: Incidentally, everyone, Ruth's three "150 Most Asked Question" books.. have just come...out in a new format.... you can buy them from www.amazon.com. Right here on the Internet :) SMartin992: I'm due to get blood work results this week. Had testost level checked. What is the normal level? Ruth Jacobowitz: The normal level is in a wide range. Which I'm sure seems like a strange answer. Depending on your age, other meds, etc. I think your Dr. will have the best answer. The average average is around 75. BayouClog1: Why does period come back after stopping for over a year? Ruth Jacobowitz: It can come back if you start on hormones and are cycling them. Or it can come back because your body has a few more cycles before it wants to call it quits. MISFROBUD: What about sleeping having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Ruth Jacobowitz: That is a real menopause symptom! Insomnia is a complaint of many, many women and may have to do with the same vasomotor activity changes that cause hot flashes. Give up caffeine. All Caffeine. Try warm tub soaks or long walks. Get plenty of exercise during the day - none at night. Good luck. Dearest: Ruth, what are your thoughts on Melatonin for sleep disturbances during menopause? Ruth Jacobowitz: Melatonin worries me. I can understand taking it to get rid of jet lag, but night after night is a concern. There are no studies that can show us long term effects. Over the counter benadryl works for me. Dearest: Thanks, Ruth ... Lacewing, go ahead, please :) Lacewing28: I am using betamethasone valerlate oint. Is there a natural product I can use? Ruth Jacobowitz: I am not familiar with one. Sorry. CescaSF: Is PMS an indicator of the likelihood of a 'difficult' perimenopause? Ruth Jacobowitz: Yes and no. Don't you hate those answers? Some studies show that PMS that begins in your mid 30s when you've never had it before, may really be premenopausal syndrome and that may indicate that you're going to ride the bumpy road, as I did. But early PMS does not seem to correlate with a difficult menopause. Peteo25: How common is it that sex drive will go in overdrive when starting the pause? Ruth Jacobowitz: By overdrive I think you mean good. Yes? Peteo25: I guess that is good Ruth Jacobowitz: Well its the bit of testosterone I was talking about. For some women when they run out of estrogen and progesterone, which is what happens at menopause, that bit of testosterone they still have is unopposed (nothing is holding it in check), so your libido can become enhanced. Peteo25: How long will it last ? Ruth Jacobowitz: No one knows, I'm sure. But for you it may be the way you'll be. Is that a good thing for you? SMartin992: Since I have no sex drive anymore.... was wondering what testos. level would indicate supplementing, and if necessary what dosage is suggested? Dearest: <--- praying we haven't lost our guest again. Ruth, are you there? GA doesn't always mean Go Ahead - tonight it means Getting Antsy! :) SMartin992: Hee! OnlineHost: Ruth Jacobowitz has left the room. Dearest: Uh oh... live TV. We've lost our guest. While we're waiting for Ruth, SM, I wanted to ask you something. You said before that you have no sex drive "anymore"... it sounds so final. Are those your feelings, SM? SMartin992: I used to have a higher than normal sex drive..now I could care less if I ever have sex! I hate it! Dearest: I understand what you mean, SM. I feel the same way much of the time. But, it does return, you know.. so don't burn those nighties yet, ok? :) Dearest: Ahh... she's back (whew!) SMartin992: I have no sex drive anymore, was wondering what level of testost. would indicate supplementing and if necessary, what dosage is suggested? Does it always show up in the blood work? Ruth Jacobowitz: The level that a test would show, a blood test, that is, would be in a wide range. Your age, size etc. would have to do with what you and your Dr. decide. So I hate to give numbers. Also testosterone is not for everyone. Women with heart disease etc. are not candidates for it. Dearest: Ruth, in your book, "150 Most-Asked Questions About Midlife, Sex, Love and Intimacy" .......you say that exercise can help our sexual desire? Can you elaborate, please? Ruth Jacobowitz: Absolutely, you know those endophin hormones that make us feel great, well exercise sets them into play and they can make us feel in control and sexy. So can the idea of taking care of ourselves. Dearest: Would it were so that we buy them at a health product supplier, Ruth :) Dearest: Joan, please go ahead now. Joan5000: What do you recommend when you cant take estrogen, and tylenol pm for sleep? Ruth Jacobowitz: As I said--warm baths, no evening exercise, meditation, yoga, and any of those spiritual activities. Massage, particularly acupressure massage and, even acupuncture. And as I mentioned earlier, some of the over the counter antihistamines like benadryl in small doses can help a lot. Dearest: Ruth, I realize it's 10:30 (ET), but shall we go until 11 (8, your time) because of the... lost time? Ruth Jacobowitz: We can try. Although my husband is making hungry noises. But the women are too important to shorten our time. Dearest: Thanks so much, Ruth. How thoughtful of you MsLizzieB: Give him a glass of wine and some peanuts to hold him for a few minutes. Dearest: Ha, Lizzie. WINDOCK1: Your thoughts please on DHEA????.... also for husband taking DHEA...??? Ruth Jacobowitz: I am worried sick about DHEA. No studies. No long term information. I worry about heart more than anything. RGRSMTH: Any suggestions as to what natural resources (herbs etc.) we can take to improve libido? Ruth Jacobowitz: There are a number of them mentioned in my book. Like Damiana, but again no scientific information. No studies. BLSHNANGEL: My sex drive is up..so is facial hair growth..could that indicate a high testosterone level? Ruth Jacobowitz: Oh yes. BLSHNANGEL: I'm on no hormones..anything that will level it out? Ruth Jacobowitz: Level out your testosterone level? Check with an endocrinologist. I'd just use hair removal and feel sexy. Kidding BLSHNANGEL: LOL..it's worked so far Ruth Jacobowitz: I will probably take ERT forever. With the new studies showing protection against heart disease, osteoporosis, and perhaps even alzheimer's disease, I'm a true believer. But it's not for everyone. Dearest: Ruth, would you be willing to share with us exactly what you take in the way of HRT? Ruth Jacobowitz: Well yes, but, you all need to know that over the years I have changed preparations and doses. Gone from oral tablets to patches and back again. Right now am on an oral medication. Just estrogen. Don't need progesterone. Dearest: Thanks, Ruth.. I've always wanted to ask that of a guest :) Dearest: JDNix, go ahead. JDNix: I had a couple months with no periods, and WITH flashes, then the flashes quit, and the periods returned. Is this a usual cycle? Ruth Jacobowitz: Can be that way. It's just your body bumping around getting ready for a new stage. And I want to add at this point that I think being a postmenopausal woman is reason for celebration not dismay. Zklee95: Comment: I'm 47, surgical menopause; on DHEA, pharm. grade from doc. Reports are that stuff from stores is uncertain quality. My DHEA level is actually up to normal now after a year on it. :) (No facial hair growth) MARTBCKC: What are the indications that one should take just estrogen and not a combination - like in PREMPRO? Ruth Jacobowitz: Indications. If you have an intact uterus, medical indications are that you need both estrogen and progesterone to protect you from endometrial hyperplasia which can be precancerous. If, like me you've had a hysterectomy--no uterus--current scientific thinking is you only need estrogen. Dearest: Ruth, if you hadn't had an hysterectomy, do you think you'd still take HRT? Ruth Jacobowitz: Yes I do. Because of the studies I mentioned earlier. I'm really interested in avoiding Alzheimers. Dearest: Thanks, Ruth, RareWine, go ahead RareWine: I had implant surgery and am experiencing burning in my breast tissue, is that to be expected? Surgery was in April. Ruth Jacobowitz: I am unable to comment. I just don't know, but I would surely check it out. JDNix: I may have misunderstood your answer..I am on the PERI menopausal side. I asked about having flashes with no periods, and vice versa. Ruth Jacobowitz: JDNix--That's completely possible. The perimenopause can take up to ten years and during that period of time different symptoms can come and go. so can periods. It all levels out after a while. Did I answer what you asked? JDNix: Yes, thanks. Zklee95: Just that DHEA seems to be working fine (pharm. grade). DHEA Level is normal (surgical menopause) Ruth Jacobowitz: Right. I remember. If it is prescribed by your Dr. and not this over the counter guess at it stuff. I think it's fine for you. I just hate to see women go in and buy things and take them without knowing what's what. Dearest: Ruth, thank you for a wonderful and stimulating evening, and sharing such valuable info about women and menopause, sexuality, etc. If you're interested in your own copy of Ruth's books, you can find them all at the earth's largest bookstore (and online, too!): "The 150 Most Asked Questions About..." Menopause, Osteoporosis, Midlife Sex, Love & Intimacy, and the upcoming "The Estrogen Answer Book" Dearest: Let's all thank Ruth Jacobowitz for joining us tonight ....{{{{{{{{ RUTH }}}}}}}}. Ruth Jacobowitz: Thank you. Dearest: And for being SO patient :) Zklee95: Thank you Ruth JDNix: thanks Ruth SGETT: {S applause KATAMY: Thanks so much.. T7947: Thanks ruth BayouClog1: Thank you Norlee: Thanks, Ruth!! Dearest: {S applause RGRSMTH: Thanks Ruth! RSEquines: Thanks BayouClog1: {S cheering SMartin992: Thanks Ruth! CescaSF: Thank you Ruth PFWLJ: Thank you Joan5000: Thank you! JKarpin455: Thanks! RSexton865: Thanks MARTBCKC: Thanks Ruth Lacewing28: Thanks WINDOCK1: Thank you!!!!!! Thank you!!!!! RareWine: Thank you MissR30: Thank you, Ruth! Linsi24014: Thank you Peteo25: Thanks so much SMartin992: Thanks Ruth! RCHCTH: Thank you so very much Dearest: Ruth, you were just wonderful!! Thank you!!! MarSea249: Thanks Ruth Dearest: Excellent answers :) Mardi44: come see us again, Ruth FBriggs113: Thanks Ruth SGETT: {S thkyou Dearest: Yes, Mardi is right.. please come back again soon, Ruth. :) Ruth Jacobowitz: I would love to. GA LMossholde: Good guest tonight. Dearest: Oh, great, Ruth... you were great!!!! Considering all the problems you had ... amazingly, you even did better :) Ruth Jacobowitz: My pleasure. Ruth Jacobowitz: This was Great!!!! Read Ruth Jacobowitz's second transcript Read Ruth Jacobowitz's third transcript Read Ruth Jacobowitz's fourth transcript Read Ruth Jacobowitz's fifth transcript Read Ruth Jacobowitz's sixth transcript Read Ruth Jacobowitz's seventh transcript Disclaimer: Every guest in Power Surge is a highly respected professional whose opinions are his/her own. An appearance in Power Surge does not constitute an endorsement of a guest's views. None of these transcripts may be reprinted or reproduced without the express permission of Power Surge™ and the respective guest. Read other transcripts by returning to the Library. Dearest aka Alice Stamm Power Surge Founder, Facilitator, Host Copyright©1994-2008 by Power Surge. All Rights Reserved.