Since the number one concern over on the Beauty Tips Forum deals with the skin, and aging, I thought I'd post on the one near-miracle product that for many women, actually slows the effects of the aging process.
HRT-Hormone Replacement Therapy. (I can hear the collective gasp of horror, as this is read!) Our Female Hormones, Ladies, affect so much more than merely our reproductive systems. They affect our skin, hair, nails, bones, our mental faculties, our libido, well, basically, the whole package! As we age, and the female hormone producton decreases, or ceases altogether, the lack of these becomes very obvious, as to our appearance, energy levels, mental and emotional functioning, every part of us. In effect, with the hormones depleted, or gone, we begin visibly aging, often, it seems, right before our eyes. I hear it all the time, 'It's like I woke up one morning and I was OLD!'
We take advantage of every remedy available, from vitamins, to natural herbal supplements, and prescriptions to aid in stopping bone-loss, to an endless stream of products purported to stay, and/or reverse the hands of time, as to our physical signs of aging. We exercise, paying atention to those pectoral muscles and still see the breasts flatten out and sag. We maintain a good body weight, and still see our bodies seemingly becoming more compact, sagging into what appears to be a state of over-weight. This leads some women to starve themselves hoping to lean out, and look younger. Nothing can take the place of the female hormones and their benefit. As one woman, age 58 told me, 'My doctor prescribes vaginal hormone cream, so intercourse is not painful. Great! Now, if only she could prescribe a hormone cream for my libido! And a pep-pill so I'd have the energy to make use of the vaginal cream!''
Hormone Replacement Therapy comes as close as we have today, to effectively slowing signs of aging, for mature women. Unfortunately, not all women are able to take advantage of this therapy, due to underlying health conditions. As well, many women have been frightened off the therapy. And too, the attitude of doctors has become one of extreme caution. It is now the practice of prescribing to women who can take advantage of the therapy, for no longer than five years. Though some doctors will work with you, considering your individual medical history, this Five and Your Done rule, is now in effect, with more and more doctors.
Menopause for many women occurs with few or even no major effects, other than menstrual changes. This merely means they do not experience the other attention-grabbing signals that their female hormones are depleting. They do begin the experience of the start of really aging, seeing major changes in their appearance. For these women, women who breezed through menopause, this new them comes as quite a shock.
The day that medical science develops a totally safe-for-all HRT will be the day we see the ultimate Miracle anti-aging product.
---Jeannine Schenewerk
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