Understanding Women's Cardiovascular Health with Marla Ahlgrimm

For many generations, heart disease was considered a "man's disease." And while Marla Ahlgrimm says that men are certainly at risk of cardiovascular events, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women worldwide. However, women's heart health presents unique challenges and requires a deeper understanding.

Why Are Women Different?

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women's and men's heart health varies for many reasons. First and foremost are hormonal influences. Estrogen, the key female hormone, does offer some protection against heart disease. This, however, is only applicable during her reproductive years, and as estrogen levels decline during menopause, women's risk of a cardiovascular event significantly increases.

Autoimmune Diseases In Women | Marla Ahlgrimm

Around 8% of the population of the United States lives with an autoimmune disorder, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Many of these are women who may find they face new challenges with their health during menopause.

What is an autoimmune disorder?

An autoimmune disorder/disease is a condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life at any age. These conditions can appear during any stage of life, but the aging process can exacerbate symptoms for some women.

The Role of Hormones

Hormones play a role in everything to do with our bodies, says Marla Ahlgrimm. And estrogen tends to be the lead player when it comes to immune regulation. Estrogen has anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating properties. Marla Ahlgrimm says that some autoimmune diseases may become “imbalanced” as estrogen declines throughout menopause. This can lead to greater disease activity as well as systemic inflammation.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there are a few autoimmune disorders that hormone levels may have a greater impact on. Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus are examples.

Menopause? Here Are Marla Ahlgrimm’s Tips For Prioritizing Your Body’s Needs

Menopause. This significant life transition comes for us all, but it does more than just mark the natural ending of our childbearing years. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, menopause also brings with it a laundry list full of hormonal changes that can impact all aspects of our health.

Today, women’s health expert, self-help author, and retired compounding pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm offers up insight on how you can prioritize your body’s needs at this expected stage of life.

Marla Ahlgrimm’s Top 10 End-of-Year Health Tips for Women

The end of the year is almost here, and Marla Ahlgrimm says there’s never a better time to prioritize your health. Although we are all busy with holiday cheer, the real celebration is making it through the winter with your health intact. Here are Marla Ahlgrimm’s top 10 ways that you can make sure your 2025 puts you in a position to live your healthiest, best life. 

1. Schedule a Checkup. Pick up the phone, contact your doctor’s office, and schedule a routine physical exam. Marla Ahlgrimm says that women should make sure this includes screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and other relevant health conditions. If you are at the age of menopause, consider asking about hormone testing. 
2. Prioritize Mental Health. If the world is weighing down on you, Marla Ahlgrimm says that this is a great time to schedule a therapy session. Short of that, you can also engage in mindfulness practices, such as yoga or meditation. These can help relieve the stress and anxiety that go along with the holidays. 
3. Review and Update Your Medications. If you’re currently taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, Marla Ahlgrimm says to consult with your healthcare provider to make sure that everything is still necessary, effective, and up-to-date. Remember, medication labels and warnings may change from one year to the next, and it never hurts to have an understanding of the latest insights into anything you put into your body.  
4. Set Realistic Fitness Goals. Come New Year’s, it’s easy for us to run out, get a gym membership, and say we’re going to work out five days a week. The reality is that this rarely happens. Instead, Marla Ahlgrimm says to create a workout plan that actually fits your lifestyle. Make a point to gradually increase your physical activity until it becomes a natural part of your day. 
5. Nourish Your Body. Focus on a diet that’s full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and, of course, lean proteins. It’s also important to drink plenty of water every day. 
6. Get Enough Sleep. Although it sounds cliché, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should truly aim for about 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Although this can be difficult for women going through menopause, Marla Ahlgrimm says that the better you sleep, the better you will feel overall. 
7. Take Notes. It sounds simple, but take notes of how you feel each day. Consider journaling. This is especially helpful, says Marla Ahlgrimm, to help you track your body’s response to certain stimuli or foods. 
8. Limit Screen Time. Put the phone down at least an hour before bed to improve sleep quality and reduce eye strain. It can also help to step away from social media. Marla Ahlgrimm says that our never-off connectivity can send our brains and bodies into overdrive. 
9. Connect with Those You Love. Holidays are a time to spend quality moments with friends and family. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says that December 25th should not be your cutoff date for having one-on-one time with those you love. Spending time with people who make you feel like the best version of yourself can improve your mental and physical health in ways that no other health ritual could. 
   
10. Prioritize Self-Care. As moms, wives, business owners, educators, and all of the many roles we fill as women each day, we often put ourselves on the back burner. But, Marla Ahlgrimm says that we must learn to prioritize self-care so that we can be the best for us and for those that rely on us. Even if you only take a warm bath or read a chapter of a book each day, make sure to incorporate self-care activities into your daily routine. 

2025 can be your best year yet, says Marla Ahlgrimm. By following the above tips, you can improve your health and wellness all year.

Testosterone: It’s Not Just For Men

Women’s health expert Marla Ahlgrimm explains why we need this misunderstood androgen.

Testosterone. We all know it is the hormone that makes our men hairy, muscular, and tall. But Marla Ahlgrimm says that women need testosterone just as much as men, just in a much smaller quantity.

So what, exactly, does testosterone do for women? Find answers from Marla Ahlgrimm below.

Bone Health

Brittle bones are not an unheard-of subject for women. As we enter menopause, our body's hormone levels change. Marla Ahlgrimm says that hormones are directly responsible for much of our bone health, and testosterone helps to maintain our bone density. As our testosterone levels change with age, we are at a higher risk of bone brittleness.

Bone Health: Marla Ahlgrimm’s Guide To Strong Bones For Women

As we age, it becomes increasingly essential to pay attention to our bone health. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, women over 40 are at risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. Understanding the factors that contribute to this type of bone loss and taking proactive steps can help us all maintain strong bones and reduce our risk of fractures as we age.

Factors That Affect Bone Health

Marla Ahlgrimm says that there are many different factors that influence bone health. These include age, genetics, lifestyle, medical conditions, and medications.

Is There A Connection Between Perimenopause And Mood Swings? Marla Ahlgrimm Says Yes

Perimenopause, which is the transitional period leading up to full menopause, is almost always prepackaged with a roller coaster of emotions. And, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, mood swings are a common symptom of perimenopause. But what causes seemingly uncontrollable fluctuations in a woman’s disposition? None of us would be surprised to learn that the answer is hormones.

The Hormone Connection

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the two primary hormones that control a woman’s sexual maturity are estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a critical role in regulating mood and emotions throughout a woman’s lifetime. But, during perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to decline, which can disrupt the balance of hormones within the brain. This can lead to a wide variety of moods with seemingly no explanation for a sudden change.

Estrogen and progesterone also influence the production of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters linked to mood and well-being. Marla Ahlgrimm notes that any changes in these neurotransmitters can also contribute to mood swings during perimenopause.