Hormones Play Role in PMS but Healthy Choices Help, Says Marla Ahlgrimm

Weight gain, bloating painful cramps, headache, and sleeplessness - these are just some of the discomforts that millions of women experience every month due to PMS. While largely misunderstood by the medical community until the 1970s, Marla Ahlgrimm stresses that PMS is a real condition and says a few lifestyle changes may help reduce some of its symptoms.

Q: How does a woman’s sugar intake affect her body?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Sugar not only causes the body to store fat but may also be partly to blame for the water retention that many women experience due to PMS. And, women who eat a diet high in sugar actually have less energy than those who tend to focus on healthy foods such as lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.

A Plan for Success | Advice from Marla Ahlgrimm on Starting a New Business

As an entrepreneur, pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm has had over 30 years of experience operating her own successful businesses. Here, Ahlgrimm answers questions about one of the most confusing steps in starting a new company: the business plan.

Q: What exactly is a business plan?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A business plan is essentially a document that outlines how you, the business owner, intend to create a successful establishment. An effective business plan outlines expectations for the next 3 to 5 years. This should include information on location, employees, target market, and how you intend to earn a profit for your investors.

Blurred Line | Marla Ahlgrimm Explains the Difference Between a Primary Care Physician versus an OB/GYN

Recent years have demonstrated the trend of women using their OB/GYN in the role of primary health care provider, and vice versa. Here, acclaimed women’s healthcare expert, author, and entrepreneur Marla Ahlgrimm explains the difference between the two.

Q: Why do women tend to use their OB/GYN for primary care needs?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently published a study showing that nearly 50% of reproductive-aged women consider their OB/GYN to be their primary care physician. This is partly due to the comfort levels and relationships forged over time with the OB/GYN.

Menopause Can Affect Sleep Cycle, Reports Marla Ahlgrimm

An expert in women’s health, Marla Ahlgrimm explains how “the change” can affect more than just your reproductive system. Here, Ahlgrimm talks about hormone fluctuations and sleep and how a woman can combat one of the first signs of menopause.

Q: How does menopause affect a woman’s sleep pattern?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A sudden change in the body’s hormone levels, especially estrogen, can make it difficult for a woman to sleep soundly. The main culprits of this sleeplessness are night sweats and hot flashes. This may be temporary or it can turn into chronic insomnia. Sleeplessness often occurs in premenopausal women up to 10 years before menopause and is one of the first indicators that things are beginning to change on the hormone horizon.

Q&A with Marla Ahlgrimm: Nerve Injection Can Help Ease Hot Flashes

For women going through menopause, hot flashes can be among the worst symptoms, according to pharmacist and women’s health expert, Marla Ahlgrimm. Hot flashes create a sudden feeling of overwhelming heat and may result in uncontrollable sweating. Traditional treatments are available, but in a recent study, scientists have found a new way to decrease hot flashes using a single injection in the neck. In the following Q&A, Ahlgrimm talks about the new non-hormonal approach to controlling hot flashes.

Q: First off, can you explain what causes hot flashes?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The exact cause is unknown. One theory is that the drop in estrogen levels that occurs around menopause affects the part of the brain which controls body temperature. Another theory is that changes in other brain chemicals may be involved.

Marla Ahlgrimm Answers Questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy

Q: What is the difference between natural and synthetic hormones?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Natural, or bioidentical hormones, are identical to those hormones produced naturally by a woman. Bioidentical hormones include estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, and testosterone.

Q: What are the benefits of bioidentical versus synthetic hormones?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Natural and synthetic hormones have different uses. Natural hormones, those that are chemically identical to those naturally occurring in a woman’s body, are often prescribed today to manage symptoms of hormonal imbalance. This includes premenstrual syndrome, perimenopause and menopause. A synthetic hormone is prescribed to alter the natural process of a woman’s body as is the case with oral contraceptives.

Marla Ahlgrimm on Health Problems Associated with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea has caused significant damage to the health of thousands of men and women across the United States, reports pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm. As Ahlgrimm explains in the following conversation, the problem has become progressively worse in recent years.

Q: Why is a good night’s sleep so important for a person’s overall well-being?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A proper rest can keep the mind and body as healthy as possible. Most people need six to eight hours of sleep each night, though the exact total depends on the individual. A good night’s sleep has also been associated with weight loss. Unfortunately, sleep apnea causes major disruptions in sleep patterns and can lead to serious injury or illness.