The reader question of the week: “My wife asked me if it looked like she had gained weight over the holidays. Is there a correct answer?” That depends… Are you planning on separate vacations? Soon? You have two choices. 1) You can answer her honestly and state that yes, it does look like she put on a little weight recently. 2) You can attempt to explain why she can’t fit into her pre-holiday clothes using a complicated argument referencing the time-space continuum and hope that she loses track of her original question. Honesty is typically the best policy. This situation, however, isn’t the best time to be brutally honest. While there isn’t a great answer to the question, I would suggest an answer that re-states your unconditional love and perhaps adds the idea that you have been thinking about ways to improve your own diet and maybe you could do it together. Good luck!
Sex and the City? Does this article belong in a family-friendly newspaper? Relax. While I grew up hearing about hormone imbalances and uteri (is the plural of uterus uteri or uteruses?) at the dinner table from my OB/Gyn father, I am aware that most readers expect a modicum of discretion. I’ll give it a try…
Most people have heard about the annually recommended well-woman exam. Few are aware of its origin. In the early 1950’s most women had a full-time job. Whether it involved taking care of young children, post-war factory work, or doing the behind the scene jobs involved in working/running a farm or ranch- they worked. The man would come home at the end of a long day and relax on the couch while complaining about his difficult job. This of course occurred while she cleaned up the kitchen after making dinner and straightening up the house in expectation of his arrival. At bedtime, the man expected an amorous greeting in the bedroom. The woman? She was tired, and most likely wasn’t willing to be engaged in greater energy output without reciprocation. The typical response involved a headache, bellyache, or ache/pain of any other body part that involved activities other than sleeping. The man was sensitive to her aches and pains the first few times. After that, the standard answer became “Well, woman, go see a doctor!” Thus was born the annual “well-woman” exam.
So you’re saying that sex involves more than just compatible body parts? Yes I am! Sex and the sex drive revolve around hormonal responses. As we age, our physiologic hormone levels decline and sex can become more of a chore than a recreational pursuit. Restoring hormone levels to normal is possible, and can make a BIG difference (no pun intended). Testosterone, estrogen, and even cortisol are contributors to making things happen. Want to learn more about it? Stay tuned for next weeks article!
Disclaimer: Dr Stephen Rath, MD, DABA is a board certified anesthesiologist as well as the owner and medical director of Fusion Medical Spa located in Ruidoso, NM. He isn’t an expert on medical history, but he believes it is important to enjoy making his own history. Comments or questions? His email address is: DrRath@FusionMedicalSpa.net.