Marla Ahlgrimm, Pharmacist, Discusses Thyroid Screening for Postmenopausal Women

Marla Ahlgrimm says that many women feel their life is over during menopause. Aches, pains, and feelings of fatigue often leave women reminiscing about the way they felt in their youth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. According to pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm, Women’s Health America – a company she founded to serve the specific needs of women – sees patients every day who believe these and other symptoms are a natural part of the aging process. It’s not, she says – not always.

The National Thyroid Institute reports that hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may be the cause of some women’s PMS and menopause-like symptoms including weight gain, painful joints, and chronic fatigue. There are several tests, Marla Ahlgrimm explains, that can identify whether a woman’s issues are truly a hormone imbalance or a problem with the thyroid gland.

Marla Ahlgrimm Says Protein Vital for Women

Women fall short where protein intake is concerned but a few easy changes can help.

Protein deficiency

A lack of protein, explains pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms including fatigue and muscle loss. Worse still, this type of deficiency may reduce the body’s ability to heal after an injury and may also compromise the immune system.

Easy fixes

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, while many women try to avoid protein-rich foods like red meat, there are many easy ways to compensate for a protein shortage:

Marla Ahlgrimm Teaches Women How to Manage PMS Symptoms

As a prominent health expert and pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm is happy to share useful tips to women struggling with PMS symptoms.

Q: Are there specific vitamins or minerals that women can take during this time?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Research has shown that women can reduce many of the most difficult symptoms – menstrual cramps, depression, mood swings – by consuming a sufficient amount of calcium and magnesium on a daily basis. Calcium in particular is a vital nutrient for women in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Q: Is exercise a help or a hindrance in this situation?

Marla Ahlgrimm: One of the primary methods for reducing PMS symptoms is through regular physical activity. Exercise is known to reduce stress and decrease a woman’s risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer and heart disease. For today’s women, working out doesn’t have to mean hours of drudgery in the gym. Walking, swimming, yoga, Kick Fit, Tae Bo and tennis are all excellent forms of exercise.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Postpartum Depression

A few days of the blues is normal, says women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm, but extended feelings of depression may point to a more serious problem.

Q: What is the difference between Postpartum Depression and the Postpartum Blues?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Postpartum depression is a serious concern for new mothers. This is a condition where a woman becomes so distraught that she becomes unable to properly care for her infant. Although fairly rare, it has been estimated that the number of women suffering from PPD is upwards of 40,000 each year. The milder and more common Postpartum Blues is short-lived and rarely interferes with a woman’s new role as caretaker. Typically, women with the blues feel exhausted and may cry occasionally but will begin to enjoy their parental responsibilities within two weeks.

Q: Can Postpartum Depression be prevented?

Marla Ahlgrimm: With proper care and techniques, yes. However, it’s vital for a woman to fully understand her risk factors before becoming pregnant. These include having history of hormone-related or previous postpartum depression, being directly related to a women who has experienced PPD, a prior mood disorder including depression or anxiety. Additional research indicates that a woman who has severe PMS may also be at a higher risk for PDD.

Marla Ahlgrimm Offers Personal Insight into Developing a Business Plan

Q: In your experience, what are the primary benefits of owning a compounding pharmacy compared to working with a more traditional dispensary?

Marla Ahlgrimm: In general, compounding pharmacies offer a number of different medications that have not been made commercially available for people who are required to take very specific dosages. The first step in starting the business is to obtain a loan through a trusted institution. That will involve the presentation of information such as a personal resume, loan proposal and executive summary to establish one’s fitness as a business owner.

Q: How can I get the ball rolling in this endeavor?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The first is to establish whether the pharmacy will be incorporated as a partnership, a corporation or a sole proprietorship. Have a firm grasp on the different permits and licenses necessary to owning and operating a pharmacy, and then develop an financial statement and business plan.

Women Should Listen to their Bodies, Says Pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm

According to pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm, women experiencing a variety of hormone related issues may benefit from natural progesterone cream. Ahlgrimm says that progesterone cream may help manage the symptoms of PMS or menopause when combined with a balanced diet and a regular exercise program. However, Marla Ahlgrimm cautions that many “over-the-counter” creams fall far short of their promises.

Marla Ahlgrimm reports that Aeron LifeCycles has completed a study that screened 27 different progesterone based creams. Of the creams, 12 contained more than the labeled 400 mg per ounce of progesterone, five contained 2 to 15 mg, and 10 creams – which claimed an effective amount of progesterone – contained 2% or less.

Another warning issued by Marla Ahlgrimm and other women’s health experts is to watch for products claiming they contain wild yam extract as a progesterone substitute. She notes that wild yam does not contain hormone nor does the body convert wild yam into progesterone.

Pharmacist, Marla Ahlgrimm Answers Questions About PMS Remedies

Q: Are all over-the-counter PMS products effective?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Not necessarily. Many over-the-counter medications that contain mood altering or pain relieving compounds may do more harm than good. Many studies have shown that the use of certain vitamins and minerals may help manage PMS symptoms without the use of medications.

Q: What are the benefits of magnesium in alleviating PMS symptoms?
 
Marla Ahlgrimm: An adequate level of magnesium in the body helps regulate muscle relaxation, promote restful sleep, and helps blood sugar levels remain steady. Magnesium additionally plays a role in heart health and may help prevent migraines.

Q: What is evening primrose oil?
 
Marla Ahlgrimm: Evening primrose oil is extracted from the flower of the same name. The oil contains linoleic acid, a substance that has been proven to boost the body’s output of prostaglandin. This hormone-like substance is believed to lower other hormone levels that can aggravate PMS symptoms, especially breast tenderness. Evening primrose oil is most effectively absorbed when taken in conjunction with a B vitamin complex.