Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women

February 16, 2016

Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women: What are your fears as you approach menopause?

Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women is very possible and can be most enjoyable

One of the most interesting things in life is being intimate sexually with a partner, and for the avoidance of doubt I’ am addressing the intimacy between a man and a woman. As we (women) approach the menopause, psychological preparedness is very important because this is a totally new life that may come with its own expectations for many women. Once this is done then women can embrace these changes positively and even enjoy their sexual life progressively into old age. And just to bring words of hope about sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women doctor Akoury encourages that women approaching this stage in life can share with their counterparts who have been there to get to understand and learn from their experience. Such information will be very important because it will interest you to note that many women going through menopause are in the contrary enjoying their sex life than many think. This has been necessitated by the fact that they no longer have the worry of ever becoming pregnant or worries of raising children and so they are even motivated to having and enjoying sex spontaneously.

Another motivation is that of not having to run several commitments like child care which can be very much involving and parked with endless activities. With the omission of such activities, a lot more energy is saved at the end of the day thereby causing them to be more relaxed and comfortable for the enjoyment and satisfaction with their sexual life.

Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women: Facing women sex complications

There is no doubt that woman’s sex drive can be quite complex, and beside the emotional traits, there are certain physical changes during menopause that can further complicate things. Some of the things that may bring complications may include:

Overweight: for better result it will be necessary that you shade off those extra pounds and any changes that come with it like body shape (hello, belly fat!). If these conditions are not addressed any woman may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about her body and may even fail to recognize it as her own. Besides that weight issues also brings with it poor self-image. And that explains why to many people if you’re carrying extra weight, physical problems like reduced energy or mobility may interfere with your sexual function.

Hormonal changes: As we get to this stage in life, hormonal changes will always take place since they go hand-in-hand with menopause. It is during this time that two things will occur; meaning that while your body is busy ushering your estrogen out, it’s also ushering in some pretty significant vaginal changes including dryness and thinning of its lining. Less estrogen equals less vaginal lubrication, leading to a less elastic vagina. And the consequences of that is pain, burning, tightness or soreness.

Other possible sex-busters: hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, irregular bleeding, sleep problems and insomnia.

Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women: Dealing with menopause problems

This is very important however it must be noted that not all sexual problems at this point cause frustrations. It therefore means that if they’re not bothersome to you or your partner then don’t consider them as problems. Each individual has their own normal and threshold for letting a problem get in the way of their relationship. To that effect doctor Akoury advices that before you throw up your hands in frustration, here are some ideas worth considering:

Take physical therapy for pelvic discomfort seriously
Regular sexual activity, which promotes vaginal health and blood flow. And to make it easier, you may want to consider:
- Vaginal dilators
- Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants (for temporary relief of dryness before and during sex)
- Over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers (for longer-term relief from dryness)
- Low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy in cream, ring or vaginal tablet form (reverses underlying atrophy and dryness)
- Higher-dose hormone therapy throughout the body via pills, patches and other preparations (reverses underlying atrophy and dryness, but generally reserved for women with bothersome hot flashes. Other treatments:

Laser therapy: A new non-hormonal therapy, the MonaLisa Touch is a fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser specially designed to help restore vaginal health in postmenopausal women. It was recently introduced in this country after successfully treating more than 15,000 patients around the world. Performed by an OB/GYN, it works by delivering controlled energy to the vaginal tissue to revitalize the cells to make more collagen (which is an essential ingredient in vaginal cell health) and is an in-office, virtually pain-free procedure requiring no anesthesia.

Flibanserin: Touted as the “female Viagra,” the FDA twice rejected this drug, citing safety concerns like low blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. As of this writing, an FDA advisory panel has recommended approval of the drug on the condition that the drug’s manufacturer, Sprout Pharmaceuticals, try to reduce the risks of side effects.

Ospemifene (Osphena): This drug was approved by the FDA in 2013 for postmenopausal women who experience pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse. The once-a-day pill, which works by acting like estrogen in some parts of the body, helps make vaginal tissue thicker and less fragile. Any woman considering taking any medication should have a thorough discussion with her health care provider to consider the risks and benefits.

Sexual intimacy beyond menopause in women: What are your fears as you approach menopause?

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction

February 12, 2016

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction: Individual therapy

The common problem many people have today is not knowing how to deal with all these addictive problems. take for instance behavioral treatment of sex addiction is one such conditions that experts have been following for sometime now. We want to inform you of some of the insights you need to know in this journey so that you can take appropriate remedial actions when faced with such challenges

Sex therapy
- Available from licensed therapists dealing with sex addiction and covered by the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals.
- Also available from licensed therapists certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
- Intensive outpatient programs are available for those patients who may be in crisis but do not require hospitalization for their illness.
  - These programs usually last for several weeks or several months.
  - Work toward stabilizing the lives of patients recommended for treatment of sexual addictions.
  - Lead to individual therapy, group counseling, couples counseling
  - The goal is to help patients address, understand and overcome triggers in everyday lives leading to compulsive sexual behavior and acting out.

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction: Cognitive behavioral therapy

This is a form of psychotherapy which stresses solving current problems and eliminating unhelpful thinking.
Problem-focused and action oriented
- is effective for the following conditions:
  - eating disorders
  - sexual disorders (including sexual addictions)
  - anxiety disorders
  - mood disorders
  - dependency disorders
  - tics
  - psychotic disorders
- This form of therapy is based on the belief that changing maladaptive thinking changes the actions and emotions of those who can do this. Another form of cognitive behavioral therapy believes that changing one’s relationship to the maladaptive thoughts can be equal as effective (and easier).
  - Encourages people to identify and challenge erroneous beliefs to decrease personal stress and end self-defeating behavior.
  - Encourages patients to replace maladaptive coping skills with more effective strategies by challenging the way patient thinks and the way they react to certain habits and behaviors
    - This therapy has six phases
      - Assessment or psychological assessment
      - Reconceptualization
      - Skills acquisition
      - Skills consolidation and application training
      - Generalization and maintenance
      - Post-treatment assessment follow-up
    - In adults, CBT has been shown to be effective for
      - anxiety disorders
      - depression
      - eating disorders
      - personality disorders
      - psychosis
      - schizophrenia
      - substance abuse disorders

BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction: Psychodynamic therapy

Similar to psychoanalysis, but less intensive

Relies upon the relationship between the therapist and client more than other in-depth psychology.
Has been used in individual psychotherapy and family therapy
Core Principles
- An emphasis on intrapsychic and unconscious conflicts and how they relate to development
- seeing defenses as developing in internal psychic structures to minimize unpleasant consequences of conflict
- A belief that psychopathology develops as a result of early childhood experiences
- A view that internal representations of experiences are organized around interpersonal relationships
- A conviction that life issues and dynamics will re-emerge as part of the client-therapist relationship called transference and counter-transference
- use of free association to explore major conflicts and problems
- focusing on interpretations of transference, defense mechanisms, and current problems and working through these areas
- trust in insight as critically important for the success of therapy

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction: Group therapy

Therapeutic Principles

- Universality of experience
- Altruism
- Installation of hope
- Imparting information
- corrective recapitulation of the primary family experience
- Development of socializing techniques
- Imitative behavior
- cohesiveness
- existential factors
- Catharsis
- Interpersonal learning
- Self-understanding
- Therapeutic goals
  - To use the group process and group context as an agent of change

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction: Twelve steps

This is a program which uses guiding principles to outline a course of action to solve specific problems such as alcoholism, drug addictions, and compulsive diseases
These programs usually have 12 “steps” or guiding principles and usually use spiritual language to help the person solve their current problems.
- They have a large number of members and have been applied to some problems of a compulsive nature, including alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling, overeating, sexual addictions and others.
- They also have auxiliary groups which usually run concurrently with the other groups for family members and friends of the person directly involved
- They encourage their members to take responsibility for the problem behaviors which brought them to the group, and point the members in the direction which will enable them to control and resolve their problems
- They claim a greater rate than other programs and encourage their members to keep coming back after a relapse
- Use “sponsorship” to help group members control their compulsive behavioral
  - A sponsor is an individual who has more time in the program and is experienced at developing coping skills aimed at cutting down the compulsion and repairing the consequences of the initial problem that brought the client into the group

Behavioral Treatment Of Sex Addiction is one that can be done by way of individual therapy or even group theraphy

DIALECTICAL-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

This is a modified form of cognitive behavioral therapy to treat people with Borderline Personality Disorder and chronically suicidal individuals and which has since been applied to people suffering from
- Traumatic brain injuries
- eating disorders
- mood disorders
- spectrum mood disorders
  - self-injury mood disorders
- sex abuse survivors
- chemical dependency
This type of behavioral therapy combines
- standard cognitive therapy techniques for
  - emotional regulation
  - reality testing
  - with distress tolerance
  - acceptance
  - mindful awareness
- The first type of behavioral therapy experimentally demonstrated to be effective in treating BPD
  - a randomized study showed reduced rates of suicidal gestures
    - psychiatric hospitalizations
    - and treatment drop-outs
  - Teaches the patient to see therapist as ally rather than as antagonist
  - Involves four components
    - Individual
      - one-on-one sessions with a therapist
        
        subjects discussed are
        
        weekly issues—issues that have come up during the week. In order of importance, these are
        
        Self-injurious, suicidal behaviors, and life-threatening behaviors
        
        Therapy-interfering behaviors
        
        behaviors that threatened to “derail” or interfere with the course of treatment
        
        Quality of life issues
        
        improving skills usage
        
        Group meetings
        
        meets once per week for two and one-half hours and focuses on four modules
        
        core mindfulness
        
        being aware, from moment to moment of the stream of awareness from a first-person perspective
        
        interpersonal effectiveness
        
        emotional regulation

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

http://regenerativepotential.com/integrativeaddictionconference/

Female Sex Addiction and Drug Abuse

February 2, 2016

The Challenges of Female Sex Addiction and Drug Abuse

There is not much known about Female Sex Addiction and Drug Abuse. Very few numbers are available, and there are few places that treat women who present with both conditions. It is estimated that between 6% and 10% of Americans of both genders suffer from sex addiction and that between 10% and 20% of those are women. The DSM-5 does not at this point recognize that sex addiction is an addiction. However, there are several studies which confirm that the brains of sex addicts react in the same way as do the brains of drug addicts. This means that drug addicts and sex addicts suffer from much the same dysfunction in their brains. So women usually with female sex addiction are usually treated as though they have both female sex addiction and drug abuse.

There has been work done on a diagnosis which has resulted in a screening test to distinguish between the normally sexually active person and the sex addict. The main point of the screening is that if a woman’s sexual activity has ever caused pain to yourself, put you in danger, or resulted in financial or social consequences, then you probably have female sex addiction. A counselor will have further tests which can distinguish between the different types of sexual addiction and can then prescribe appropriate treatment.

This treatment can be complicated if the woman has both female sex addiction and drug abuse. The drug of choice is also important, but the primary problem is that both the addictions need to be treated at the same time. Otherwise the female sex addiction and drug abuse will reinforce each other. This means that the woman involved will have difficulty overcoming both the female sex addiction and drug abuse together, but will have even worse problems if the two problems are treated separately.

Approximately 80% of the time, the reason the two dependencies occur together is that the woman has at some point in her life experienced some form of abuse. The good part of having abuse in your past is that you survived it. The bad part is that abuse leaves a woman feeling unlovable, which is a recipe for severe depression. The abuse was often traumatic enough that she also has PTSD. These two conditions can cause enough pain that the woman will seek to self-medicate, and may also try to make herself feel lovable and loved through a series of sexual relationships. This means that this woman who through no fault of her own was abused by others now has more problems than just the depression or the PTSD. Since she has been self-medicating, she is now dependent on a drug like alcohol or some type of pill, and she is also a sex addict.

This woman, and many like her, need special treatment in the center. They need to be encouraged to look at themselves, not as objects to be used but as people with the right to have friendships and sexual relationships. They need to be encouraged to give up the drugs they have been using and to seek out and maintain healthy relationships. This is a very difficult task that these women have, and many who are initially successful in giving up the drugs will be tempted to use their female sex addiction to cover up or lessen the amount of pain they feel. This will be especially true in the beginning of their therapy, when they are still coping with the depression and the PTSD.

If they are treated for the depression and the PTSD and not for the female sex addiction and drug abuse the feelings about the female sex addiction and drug abuse may undermine any progress they make overcoming their depression and PTSD. It is therefore imperative that they are in the safest place they can find before doing any of this work and they need to be treated for all their problems at the same time.

The best places for a woman with female sex addiction and drug abuse to go to are those places that use a combination of approaches to treat those who want it. This woman needs a multi-pronged approach to deal with the drug abuse, the low feelings of self-esteem, the loneliness and the high anxiety levels at the same time. Unfortunately, most therapists did not have the training necessary to recognize female sex addiction and drug abuse—let alone do anything productive about it.

This is about to change. The research that is being conducted at psychiatric hospitals and clinics has identified that female sex addiction and drug abuse is a verifiable condition that is causing pain to many people and they are now working on the best medications to treat female sex addiction and drug abuse. That means that where these women had no hope, now they will be able to get the help they need to live normally.

The Challenges of Female Sex Addiction and Drug Abuse

Women Hot Flashes Treatment in Myrtle Beach, SC

January 24, 2016

Women Hot Flashes Women Treatment

Women Hot Flashes Treatment - Myrtle Beach, SC Women Hot flashes sometimes referred to as hot flushes, are an uncomfortable, irritating condition to deal with. They can interfere with your life and make ordinary situations frustrating. If you’re dealing with hot flashes and want help, please call (843) 213-1480 or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury online.

Symptoms of Women Hot Flashes

Hot flashes in women are usually quick and often debilitating. The experience of a hot flash can vary from person to person, but generally some symptoms of a hot flashinclude:

Redness in face
Redness in neck
Increase in temperature
Perspiration
Dizziness
Rapid heartbeat

After the hot flash is over, many will experience a feeling of extreme cold, or chills. A hot flash can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, with time needed for recovery after.

Causes of Women Hot Flashes Hot Flashes

Though commonly associated with menopause and perimenopause, there are many causes of hot flashes in women. Hot flashes are typically associated with hormones, so low estrogen may be a culprit.

In addition to hormonal issues, hot flashes can be caused or made worse by a number of triggers:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Diet pills
Certain foods
High temperatures
Smoking
Saunas
Certain clothes

Avoiding or reducing these triggers can help mitigate your hot flashes and bring you closer to finding the root cause.

Treatments for Hot Women Flashes

If you’re seeking hot flash treatment, it’s best to contact a doctor and schedule a consultation. There are many options for treating hot flashes, including simple lifestyle changes. In addition to avoiding the aforementioned triggers, increasing exercise, losing weight and changing your diet can help cut down on hot flashes.

A doctor specializing in treating hot flashes may also recommend:

Medication
Vitamins and supplements
Holistic medicine
Birth control
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)

Hormone replacement has emerged as a cutting-edge way to treat hot flashes. This is particularly true of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, or BHRT. BHRT uses natural hormones to right your body’s levels of estrogen and other key hormonal issues.

If you’re curious about using Hormone Replacement Therapy to treat hot flashes, please call (843) 492-4884 or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury online.

Fight Women Hot Flashes Today!

Whether through lifestyle changes, medication or hormone replacement therapy, hot flashes are a debilitating issue worth treating. Hot flashes in Women can be confusing to deal with on your own, so it’s best to contact a doctor. Please call (843) 213-1480or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury online

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction

November 30, 2015

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction: Alcohol programs and celebrities?

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction this concern is closely associated with the demands of their lives and the pressure on them to deliver and keep to the top

The demands of life are increasingly becoming overwhelming to everyone. People of all races are waking up early and retiring very late in the night all to make ends meet. Target set by employers is even making life even more stressful and if this is to be compounded by drugs, life can become even more unbearable. All this is happening to people in equal measure and the sooner something is done, the better to everyone. Looking at different personalities across the globe, one group is always quite common with substance abuse reports almost every day. We are talking about the celebrities and their lifestyle. From the information we get in different media channels one will not be wrong to wonder why celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction? I am almost certain that you have come across this question somewhere and so that now forms the basis of our discussion even as we develop this to understand why this is becoming the norm. It is no longer a secret that life is full of stress and pressures and especially in this day and age where people gauge everything they do in terms of success that comes from their products. To be precise and to the point success has become one of the prime importance giving rise to extreme competitiveness. With the strength with which drug addiction is making inroads to our societies, every one including celebrities must have a very strong mind in order to survive in this world intoxicated with substances.

Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and also the founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, is reiterating that it is important to note that even individuals with strong commitment and will, can still often break down due to the increasing pressures, and look for alternatives that would help them seek temporary relief. In many instances people often make adverse mistakes of turning to misuse of alcohol and drugs in order to deal with their stress which is not productive by all standards. While they are hoping to get better on account of these substances, unfortunately, they don’t always realize the dangers that are associated with turning to alcohol and drugs. And that introduces us to our next question that why do celebrities get addicted to alcohol and other substances?

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction: Why do celebrities get addicted to alcohol?

There is no doubt that celebrities often live a very stressful and busy life, they are normally at the center of attention to their supporters and to the societies and with very little time for themselves in quiet and solitude. In the nature of their live, attending parties can be a frequent occurrence and drinking is in most cases the rule rather than an exception. Surprisingly and without knowing the pressures and stress these people bear with them every day many people may envy celebrities for their lifestyles that appear flashy and attractive from the outside. However, these people live very difficult and tough lives to the little knowledge of many. The truth is that celebs are under constant pressure including the competitiveness of the glamorous world is enormous, and it is always extremely difficult to survive unless one knows how to get things done and done right. Sometimes if not most of the times, celebs often turn to alcohol and drugs to cope and to get relief from constant stress and pressure. Doctor Akoury expresses the most unfortunate situations in the lives of most celebs is that quite often drinking and drug use get out of hand and becomes a major problem impacting on both of their personal lives, career and social life in the public. Hence, many celebs end up having to get enrolled to different rehabilitation centers for drug addiction treatment.

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction: Do celebrities get treated specially during alcohol programs?

At AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, all persons are passionately treated equally with dignity, respect, reverence and care. We take this as a condition in life that needs to be attended to medically and professionally as opposed to seeing it as a moral failing. Keen interest must be taken to note that alcohol addiction is a disorder and curing it is a process which is uniform for people from all walks of life. Therefore AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center is a great place with qualified and highly trained professionals not just for celebrities in need of treatment but also applicable to all people across the globe that are struggling with any kind of drug addiction. Up on scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury, special consideration will be taken on all individual client including, celebs and high profile people who will be expectant to receive, strict confidentiality throughout the treatment and even after the treatment period.

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction: Challenges faced by celebrities during their stay at treatment programs?

When attending to clients at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, we are always keen on tailoring the treatment to suit the individual client’s needs and specifications. We understand the different needs of our clients and that is why when celebs visit our facility we take keen interest in their individual lifestyle while considering that generally time, concentration and dedication to the program are the key factors that pose challenges to the celebrities in their pursuit of freedom from addiction and dependence. We understand that celebrities may not want to spend an extended period in a rehab; they are often worried about what will happen to their career when the rehabilitation takes long. We look at all these and give to our client treatment that will be most desirable to their needs even as we advise then on the consequences of certain decision they may choose to take owing to the fact that addiction treatment is a process and not just a note time treatment agenda. Therefore as we come to the conclusion of this discussion, if you are struggling with any kind of addiction, you may want to consider scheduling for an appointment with doctor Dalal Akoury today for a one on one treatment and advice for the situation you have found yourself in.

Celebrities are vulnerable of drug addiction: Alcohol programs and celebrities?

Category Archives: Healthy Aging