Wellness &Lifestyle Empowerment
For Black Women
Pause Pearls Magazine is what I am calling a “Blogazine”. This is a platform, that’s in a form of a magazine, but contains a blog of information, along with highlighting women leaders and influencers. It is also a publication in which I share my passion for women’s hormonal health, wellness practices, herbal solutions, recipes and more. I am an advocate for Black Women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms and are looking for holistic solutions. This is a platform to share and educate about a normal and guaranteed life change as Black women. Black women are 60% more likely to experience elevated symptoms than any other ethnic group. Education and communication within our medical health society is very little and much is unavailable because of lack of education. I hope in some way, to start shining a spot light on this in hopes to empower women to live this season of their life, like a Boss stepping into their purpose.
www.SheilaLHall.com
“For two years I didn’t sleep well. Never a full night. No peace. Restlessness and heart palpitations were my steady companions at nightfall. I went to see a cardiologist. Took medication. Wore a heart monitor for weeks.” “Heart palpitations and sleeplessness were indications the The Change was coming. But no one, including my trusted doctors, had warned me.” Oprah Winfrey
It’s time to stop suffering in silence and acknowledge the “change” and gracefully transition by including natural remedies. Black women who completed daily symptom reports (DSR) also reported significantly more physiological symptoms of menopause including: • * hot flashes • * dizziness • * poor coordination and/or clumsiness • * urine leakage • * vaginal dryness Compared to the white women who completed the DSR. Another finding of the study found that symptoms particularly hot flashes increased with age in African American women, while White women reported a decrease in menopausal symptoms with age.
Many women experience perimenopausal symptoms and don’t realize it. These symptoms are often attributed to other conditions such as Thyroid Imbalances”. This means women are less likely to talk to their healthcare providers about their changing bodies. The hard truth is perimenopause and menopause can cause more than 30 symptoms. This stage of life is no walk in the park, especially if you don’t realize what’s going on inside of our body. But the good news is, with the right support from family, friends, and healthcare providers, you can ease the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause while moving into this exciting new life chapter. One of the symptoms , other than hot flashes, which is the most common perimenopausal symptom, which can cause sudden heat surges and skin burning, face flushing and sweating. is vaginal dryness. Estrogen helps maintain the thin layer of fluid typically found in the vaginal walls. It also maintains the thickness of the vaginal walls and blood flow. As your estrogen decreases, you may experience vaginal dryness. This can lead to discomfort, irritation, and pain during sex. Vaginal pH imbalance is typically 3.5-4.5. As your estrogen levels decline, the pH of your vagina becomes more acidic. This can lead to changes in vaginal discharge and odor I’ve noticed that there are a lot of products online that offers products that are suppose to help with odor, and bacterial and yeast and pH levels. They smell amazing , they feel wonderful and can be thought to be the solution. I’m here to tell you, that’s not true. This is another remedy of “masking” the root cause. If you have an infection, see your Dr. The odor, other than an infection is magnified by our diet, but it is true, that we should use a cleanser that won’t irritate our vaginal tissues. Another is brain fog. This is why I labeled this journey, Menopausal Affective Disorder, aka MAD. Over 60% of women in certain studies reported cognitive and concentration issues during menopause. Brain fog can be connected to hormonal changes, sleep issues, circulation issues, and mood disorders.
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CEO and Founder at NELLA, LLC ,is a certified professional coach who loves to help clients in their commitment to live and enjoy life from a Position of Power in every aspect. Dr.
Pamela Reaves is also a published author, certified public speaker, entrepreneur and Brand Ambassador for several small businesses, which she became after the age of 50. “There is no expiration in fulfilling your dreams”. Dr. Reaves also has over 40 years with experience in diverse corporate cultures in the areas of Human Resources, Labor Relations, finance, and Corporate Realty Services. Dr. Reaves is not only beautiful outside, but the inside of her will make anyone feel the “POWER” that she portrays and lives by everyday. In the beginning of my interview, Dr. Reaves apologized for being a little late, saying “I was trying to find my reading glasses. That’s when the 60 something starts shinning through”. I think you can agree with me, that's the only place it shines through Dr. Pamela Reeves! “The strength of power is living it unconsciously, but it was intriguing by others. This is when I realized that , living in power was a life long journey that I learned from my parents. They always talked about the Power of God , and being a people of faith, I know that His Power is in me which makes me Powerful. This is what I bring to my Power Coaching clients. I encourages them to let their power raise their consciousness. It’s not theater, it’s a part of them”. Dr. Pamela Reaves quoted Denzel Washington from the movie, “The Power of Quiet American Gangster, “The loudest one in the room, is the Strength is one of the weakest one”, saying that this is the power of silence. I demany rewards that scribed to Dr. Reaves how this quote reminds me of what I practice, “Healing is in the Root Cause, Not in the Scars. The comes with aging” healing is in the dark, the quietness in which the cause lies. This is where the Power of Healing starts, but it’s a place that few want to go.”
“Who are you? Is the first question that I ask my clients. Who are you? Not who people say you are or think you are, but who You are. Describe yourself in your best terms. Discovering who you are can bring fear of who you’re going to find.”. In Dr. Communicate the Reaves, along with her partner, Sandy Lewis, host a live broadHurt cast on Facebook called, The Truth Unfiltered, in which they discuss hot topics. “If you are afraid to discuss it, we are NOT” is Author unknown their motto. “They address issues that affect our communities that need solutions. “The truth can hurt, but the hurt can heal. You can’t heal because you refuse to admit you’re hurt”.
Dr. Reaves believes that “Menopausal Hurt Transition,” should be a topic for Truth Unfiltered. She tells me that she had a very different journey than her mother. Her mother went through menopause in the years, late 50’s or early 60’s, when women didn't talk about what they were experiencing, their feelings, and their body changes. Dr. Reaves and her sisters, witnessed their mother being very sad , lying in the bed, crying. “It had me thinking how frighting it must have been, not knowing or understanding what was happening and probably imagining the very worst, so this platform is warranted and timely because it shouldn’t be hush hush, even for men, so they can understand the journey. My husband told me, ”I’ll be glad when this is over”! Also, change brings opportunity. The Change is the reason that I developed my skincare line. I was suffering from very dry skin and rashes. Nothing worked . So I researched ingredients that would bring balance and sooth the skin naturally which led me to develop my first product, Shea Butter Body Lotion. Now I have a full line of products. Making them has brought joy and the opportunity to share with others, especially older women. Women don’t have to lose their beauty, they just transition to a new kind of beauty. The inner beauty can radiate through radiance that time can’t steal. Don’t wait for others to applaud you, believe in your Power that resonates from your inner beauty.”
Vaginal steaming is an ancient practice that has been used since the beginning of time. Although steaming was forgotten in the western world for a couple hundred years, it is gaining a comeback as women seek all-natural alternatives to intrusive obstetric and gynecological treatments. Someone recently sent me an email and asked if postmenopausal women can do vaginal steams. Not only, can they. They love it.
Here are 9 reasons why. 1. It Gets Rid of Vaginal Dryness Postmenopausal steamers report improvement after just one session. They further report an increase in lubrication. Steaming once a week is recommended in order to prevent dryness from reoccurring.
2. It Treats Phantom Period Symptoms Some postmenopausal women report that it still feels like they have their menstrual cycle. Cramping, swollen breasts, PMS, bloating and other period side-effects all occur--just no period. Vaginal steam users report a reduction in phantom symptoms and say that it prevents them from reoccurring.
3. It Fights Infections
Although the period no longer occurs post-menopause, infections still might. UTIs, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are not uncommon in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal steamers commonly report a decrease in infections.
www.Eistrongherbal.com
4. It Clears Up Excess Cervical Mucus Clear discharge (often referred to as egg-white) is a good sign of lubrication and health. If the discharge is thick, white, flaky, yellow, green or bloodtinted this may be a sign of excess cervical mucus. Excess cervical mucus can harbor unwanted bacteria, yeast or viruses and can have an unpleasant odor. Users who steam consecutively 5-10 days in a row can easily clear out unwanted excess mucus. Steam is the most important component for clearing out excess mucus. 5. It Aids With Deep Sleep Post-menopause vaginal steam users who complain of difficulty sleeping consistently report that vaginal steaming helps them to get a good night’s sleep. Specifically, they report that they are able to get uninterrupted deep sleep. Any herb blends will aid with deep sleep. 6. It May Dissolve Ovarian Cysts Ovarian cysts that occur post-menopause are often treated with surgery to remove the ovaries or entire uterus--not something that should be taken lightly. Alternatively, several postmenopausal women have been able to avoid surgery with vaginal steaming alone. Upon follow-up appointments ultrasounds showed that the ovarian cysts were gone and the doctor no longer had reason to perform surgery.
7. It May Treat Fibroids Several case studies exist where women were able to dissolve fibroids naturally using vaginal steaming. Postmenopausal women who are diagnosed with fibroids can use vaginal steam methods as an alternative to surgery.
8. It Helps Connect to the Natural Lunar Cycle Although no longer experiencing menstruation, post-menopause women continue to be connected to the lunar cycle. Vaginal steaming once a month on the full moon can help women to tune into this natural cycle. Any herbs may be used for this purpose. 9. It Wakes Up the Libido Vaginal steam users generally report an overall increase in their libido as well as increased sensation during sex. This is likely because vaginal steaming increases blood flow, lubrication and heat to the reproductive organs. A postmenopausal steamer reports: “I am currently on a sexual hiatus. And have not been missing it...I’m almost fifty and believed the non interest was just middle age...but BABY...can I tell you this steam WOKE my VAGINA UP...I felt like taking random men down who crossed my path...lol...like I don’t even have to know you sir...just lay back and enjoy the ride.” The steam and increase in circulation is the main factor in libido enhancement. Any herbs can be used for this purpose. -About the Author Keli Garza has a Masters degree in International Development graduating cum laude. When Garza founded the company Steamy Chick--the largest distributor of vaginal steam supplies in the United States--Garza began to work with her customers to research their results with vaginal steaming. Having recorded over seven hundred case studies, Garza holds the only known research database on vaginal steaming. Learning from her customer's experiences she developed unique vaginal steam treatment protocols for different conditions becoming a skillful practitioner able to treat a wide array of women's health concerns. Based on her practice Garza is now founding a new field of women's medicine called Peristeam Hydrotherapy--the use of vaginal steaming for menstrual and reproductive health. She has certified over one hundred practitioners worldwide through her Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute and is conducting clinical studies which will help to establish vaginal steaming as an evidence-based medical science.
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Moisturize My Vagina?! What you need to know In Pelvic Health by Shannon PacellaJuly 17, 2019Leave a Comment
By: Shannon Pacella, DPT, PHRC Lexington
If you are anything like me, you most likely have a plethora of moisturizers at home (hand lotion, face lotion, body lotion, etc.), but what you probably do not have is a vaginal moisturizer. You might ask, “What is a vaginal moisturizer?” A vaginal moisturizer rehydrates dry mucosal tissue, is absorbed into the skin and adheres to the vaginal lining, mimicking natural vaginal secretions. Now you might be thinking, “Why do I need to use a moisturizer down there?” A vaginal moisturizer can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy/atrophic vaginitis (thinning of vaginal tissues due to a reduction of estrogen).1 Commons symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy include:
• • • • • •
Vaginal dryness/lack of vaginal lubrication Vaginal irritation/itching/burning Pain during intercourse Spotting after intercourse Pain/burning during urination Frequent UTIs and/or yeast infections
Vaginal moisturizers provide relief by increasing the water content of the cells lining the vaginal canal and lowering vaginal pH, in order to maintain vaginal moisture and acidity. Vaginal moisturizers are particularly beneficial not only for women with symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy that cause pain during sexual activity, but also for women who are not necessarily sexually active, but experience day-to-day discomfort. As vaginal moisturizers are intended to moisturize the mucosa, the majority contain water. In order for the water to adhere to the mucosa, they also contain either plant-based or synthetic polymers.2
Strategies for Addressing Unbalanced Feelings for Women Bosses Most of us are familiar with the benefits of exercise, the importance of a eating a healthy diet and the negative possible outcomes of stress. I’m not here to tell you something that you probably already know or can easily google the word “Health”, and find tons of articles, videos and podcasts that will give you all of the information that you need. You do this, but you still feel off, unbalanced and not yourself. I’m here to address the symphony of our hormones. Just like a piano out of tune, our hormones can be also. “A hormone is a chemical substance that is secreted into the body fluids by one cell or a group of cells and has a physiological control effect on other cells of the body.” The world has and still is trying to recover from the worst pandemic that most of us have been through. The whole idea of having to be distant from friends, family and even someone who you just passed in the grocery store has had some real time mental health adjustments. As we start entering back into the workforce, we can feel the struggle of our mindset wanting to feel that it’s okay to get closer, to touch a hand or give a hug. As we start revealing our faces to each other again, you may discover that your mind, your mental health, hasn’t quiet caught up to feeling okay. Women in leadership and entrepreneurship faced psychological distress before Covid-19 at a higher rate than men according to a study done by the University of Arizona. Many women found a new normal in working from home. Some experienced a realization of balance, a new calm to work and a new level of self -discovery. Now that new has now turned to the old way. Our mindsets haven’t caught up to re-entering in what was once routine and familiar and in that we feel unbalanced and not quiet ourselves. Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless, and depressed Avoiding others As Women executives, we know how to delegate, formulate, and strategize to get the job done. We wouldn’t have made it this far if we hadn’t. But do you know how to bring yourself back into hormonal balance naturally?
Here are some Key Tips to Try. Breathe! I mean really dig down deep and let the oxygen exchange do its thing. When feeling out of sorts, most of the time we are holding our breath unknowingly at sporadic time intervals. Just taking a few long deep breaths and rejuvenate our cells and make them happy again. Aromatherapy. Studies have shown that blends that have lavender, frankincense, lemon and peppermint gives a relaxing energy balance to the brain and senses. Have a bottle on your desk so when needed you can place a few drops in your hands and breathe it in. The scent will last throughout the day on your hands, keeping you in balance. Juice. Try incorporating a fresh pressed juice in the morning and drink it with a positive intention. Example-“Today I can breathe and so can others that are around me”. Studies have shown that drinking a fresh juice first thing in the morning gives your cells a shower of goodness. When you incorporate a positive intention, I think it gives your mindset a happy dance. Laugh. Laughter is the key to happiness. Put on a comedy channel as you drive home. This is a form of release and let go, giving your brain permission to not hold on to any stress that you may have encounter for the day.
My name is Sheila Hall and I own a wellness practice in Randallstown Maryland called Unique Scripts Wellness Spa and an Apothecary called EistrongHerbal Tea and Juice Bar. As a Holistic Functional Medicine Practitioner, I specialize in women’s hormonal health imbalances. What became very clear to me, is how women revealed their mental health struggles when we were forced into a shut down, forced to find a balance, forced to become aware of issues that we would usually power through and ignore. Many women have found themselves struggling to get back into the workforce because of this awareness. Covid-19 pandemic has been associated with mental health challenges. Symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder increased considerably in the United States during April-June of 2020, compared with the same period in 2019, according to CDC.gov. My goal for 2022, is to introduce women to a program that I have created titled, “Pause for Piece” that addresses mental health issues by using hormonal balancing practices. As a functional medicine practitioner, we look for the root cause of imbalances like puzzle pieces. Using the Functional Medicine’s approach, the goal is to find solutions naturally, without using medications or opioids which tend to mask symptoms instead of healing them. My second program is for Black Women Bosses who need self- care support that are experiencing Menopausal Symptoms that are interfering with their business growth. This Program is called “Womb Health is Business Wealth. Studies have shown that Black Women experience more mental imbalances along with hot flashes then White Women. I want to be the voice that can give holistic solutions that is relevant to women of color. www.SheilaLHall.com
The Womb Wealth Institute is the first of it’s kind hormone-focused body and mindset change program ever developed specifically for women. This program gives you the tools and knowledge needed to personalize your Unique plan that will help with your diet, exercise, and specifically your womb health. Holistically, the womb is where we hold our emotions, our traumas and our scars. As a business woman, who has struggled with emotional and physical challenges that kept me from growing and developing my skillset, from feeling that I wasn’t good enough and from living my best life, I developed this program to help others become un-stuck and gain balance in their discission making, their energy, mindset challenges, healthy relationships and overall good health. As we get older, we feel the decline in all of these scenarios but I’m here to tell you that this is your beginning of living your best life, not the end. I thought that when I started my menopause journey, that my life was basically the life of a robot. I felt I was in the cycle of going to work, coming home, cooking, cleaning, go to bed and then repeat. I saw my life having no purpose but to become settled in my routine until I couldn’t. I struggled a lot with that, remembering hearing my older friends say, it gets worse, just keep living. Just keep living like this? Hell No!! That’s when I started focusing on my health. I hired a personal trainer that focused on my strength. The weights became my building block of “I can”. I can be strong, I can be successful, I can become whatever I wanted to and be dam good at it! But then, I hit a standstill. I wasn’t losing anymore weight, regardless of my diet or exercise routine. My trainer thought that must have been cheating on what I was eating or that I needed more cardio. Nothing worked. I knew something else was wrong, That’s when I started studying Functional Medicine. Functional Medicine is a practice of finding the “root cause” of health imbalances. Naturally I wanted to specialize in hormones. Being a women in menopause, it seemed like the right direction. I was right! I discovered that I had a specific bacteria in my gut, that was preventing me from dissolving unwanted fat and toxins in my gut. By using specific testing, I was able to trace my gut microbiome and get to the root cause. I also learned that I was estrogen dominate, so the cycle of my menopausal symptoms was creating more belly fat than normal. As women, we can easily become complacent of “Just keep Living” syndrome, excepting this is how our bodies will be during the last phase of our womanhood. I’m here to show you that that’s some bullshit. At 60 years old, I feel like I’m just beginning. Yes, it’s a challenge at times, but it has me moving, giving me optimism about my future and it has changed my mindset. The “Change: can bring opportunities and possibilities, if you let it. You're not done ladies, and I’m here to show you how to build your health and wealth uniquely!
How we think is key! Your brain and gut communication is connected. What you put in, comes out through your thinking. This is why I have created 3 different modules that will focus on the big issue of how you think. Each one will include a diet and exercise plan. This is a go at your own pace module but you will be included in a special priority face book group, receive weekly live checkins from myself or from my team, and you will have access to special workshops and a 1 on 1 30 minute consultation with me. Another great perk is, you will get a 40% discount if you decide that you need more after completing the Master Class. You will be able to sign up for my Unique Therapeutic Wellness Training to received 1 on 1 training that includes diagnostic hormonal testing, specific workouts and nutrition suggestions. You will also receive specific holistic and herbal supplements that’s developed by me, for you. You don’t have to go through the institute to get 1 on 1 sessions with me. Just go to www.SheilaLHall.com to get more information.