Marla Ahlgrimm: Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk

There are two primary types of oral birth control available in the US. Both are prescriptions formulated with synthetic hormones. One type, combined oral contraceptive, contains progesterone and estrogen. The second, the mini pill, contains only progestin, a synthetic progesterone used for contraceptive purposes.

Scientists know there is a link between naturally occurring sex hormones and the growth of certain types of cancers. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it is suspected that since birth control pills contain these hormones, there may be a link between these cancers and contraceptive use. Interestingly, the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer appear to be reduced in women who regularly use oral contraceptives. Adversely, the rates of liver, cervical, and breast cancer are higher in the same demographic.

Breast cancer risks

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer is dependent upon numerous factors. Many of these are related to her natural hormone production. Early menstruation, late-onset menopause, advanced-age pregnancy, and not having children all increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. In 1996, a collaborative study found that women who were recent birth-control users had a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer, says Marla Ahlgrimm.

Marla Ahlgrimm Explains Hunger and PMS

If you have ever wondered why you can’t seem to put the candy and chips away just before your period, read on for information provided by Marla Ahlgrimm, retired pharmacist and hormone expert.

Sex hormones an appetite stimulant

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, females across most mammalian species, including humans, tend to experience nearly insatiable hunger in the days before their “active” period stage.  Many women crave carbohydrates and sugars with an uncharacteristic urgency. This binge eating is triggered during the premenstrual phase by the release of progesterone – the pregnancy hormone.

Sex hormones also appetite depressant

Ironically, another hormone associated with reproduction, estrogen, is a known appetite suppressant. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that estrogen peaks in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, just before ovulation. This happens about two weeks into the cycle.

Menopausal Hormone Therapy | Marla Ahlgrimm

Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), which was formerly referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a type of hormone treatment specifically administered to treat the symptoms of menopause, explains industry pioneer Marla Ahlgrimm.

Hormone therapy works to regulate the body’s systems and can reduce hot flashes, slow bone loss, and treat vaginal symptoms such as dryness and discomfort during intercourse. Hormone therapy may also lessen the effects of mild depressive disorder when triggered by waning estrogen levels. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, menopausal hormone therapy is often used as a short-term treatment until the body transitions. It is rarely prescribed to treat osteoporosis and other age-related diseases.

Who should not take MHT

Menopausal hormone therapy is not for women who may be pregnant or who plan to become pregnant. Marla Ahlgrimm asserts that those with bleeding disorders and women who have had breast and uterine cancer should not use hormone therapy. Additionally, women with heart and liver disease or blood clot disorders should speak to their doctor about alternative treatments.

Marla Ahlgrimm: What You Need To Know About Your Period

Marla Ahlgrimm answers questions related to the menstrual cycle on the following brief question-and-answer session.

Q: What is menstruation?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Menstruation is the time of the month when a woman bleeds. It is the body’s way of shedding the uterine lining. The menstrual cycle occurs on average in periods of 21 to 35 days and is marked by shifts in hormone levels.

Q: What happens during this cycle?

Marla Ahlgrimm: At the beginning of the cycle, estrogen levels begin to rise. Estrogen, also known as the “female hormone,” is essential in allowing the lining of the uterus to thicken and grow. Once a woman ovulates, her egg travels through the fallopian tube, alternating month-to-month. Her hormone levels rise in preparation of pregnancy. If conception does not occur, this uterine lining is released through a small opening in the cervix and expelled through the vagina.

Healthy Aging QA with Marla Ahlgrimm

In today’s brief interview, women’s healthcare expert, author, and entrepreneur Marla Ahlgrimm answer some of the most common questions related to healthy aging at different stages of life.

Q: How can a woman in her late teens and early 20s establish lifelong healthy habits?

Marla Ahlgrimm: One of the most important things you can do is begin a routine of having an annual well-woman visit. Most health insurance plans cover this visit 100% so, chances are, you won’t be anything out-of-pocket. Maintain a balanced diet and make sure you get at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. Don’t forget about your sleep, women at this stage need seven to eight hours of sleep every night for optimum health benefits.

Q: How is self-care different between your 20s and 40s?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Women in their 20s and 40s have similar health care needs, with the exception of those entering to menopause. These women may need to speak with their doctor about ways to mitigate the negative effects of waning hormones. This could include dietary changes or hormone therapy.

Hormone Therapy an Innovative Breast Cancer Treatment | Marla Ahlgrimm

More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States every year, says women’s health expert and hormone therapy pioneer Marla Ahlgrimm. Read on for more information about how hormone treatment can help treat hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.

Q: What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Often, women experience no outward causes of concern. However, nipple discharge, swollen lymph nodes, inverted nipples, and breast tenderness are common. It’s important to have a mammogram according to your doctor’s recommendation and to perform self-breast exams every month.

Marla Ahlgrimm: The Value of Virtual Medicine

Social media and other technology has made it easier than ever to take advantage of virtual healthcare, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Women, especially, turned to the Internet with questions about everything from weight gain and acne to hormone disorders and animal bites. Has this unbridled access to information done more harm than good? Research indicates that the three key ways women utilize the World Wide Web for health related topics are finding information, accessing support, and communicating with healthcare providers. Here, Ahlgrimm outlines the pros and cons of each.

Finding medical information

Sites like Facebook are extremely valuable when it comes to connecting and keeping up with healthcare providers. Many physicians and medical practices regularly update their social media accounts with relevant information, notes Marla Ahlgrimm. However, a 2014 study found that the majority of online searchers depended upon information-oriented sites such as Wikipedia for their medical fact-finding. Unfortunately, these websites are not written nor reviewed by medical professionals and often contain advice or misinformation which could be damaging to a woman’s health.