Women suffering through the hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and sleep problems that can come with menopause — all while looking in the mirror and noticing signs of aging — are being bombarded with products. More open conversations about menopause and the period leading up to it — called perimenopause — are happening just as marketing has been supercharged by social media. Doctors say that before spending money on products that make big promises, it's important for women to talk to their doctors about what has actually been proven to help — and what could be harmful.
Breast self-awareness is a more flexible approach to preventing breast cancer that goes along with other essential screening measures. Two decades ago, doctors began recommending breast self-awareness as an alternative to self-exams — the monthly, methodical checks for changes to breast size or shape while applying pressure or lying down. Instead, they now suggest staying aware of how the breasts look and feel while going about daily life and reporting any changes to the doctor. It's also important to maintain normal screening routines, including having mammograms yearly or every other year starting at age 40.
Reusable menstrual products, including cups, discs and period underwear, have gained traction as a cost-effective, long-lasting, environmental alternative to single-use products. In her lifetime, the average woman will use 10,000 menstrual products, and most of them wind up in landfills. The most popular options are single-use pads and tampons. They are made with plastic that can take hundreds of years to break down. But silicone menstrual cups can be reused for years, so they're cost-effective and long-lasting in addition to helping people reduce waste.
