Morning Glow Newsletter Vol 28.
- Team Yara - Writing
- Dec 22, 2025
- 8 min read
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM YARAGLOW
Why Menopause Doesn’t Have to Mean Bad Skin
As oestrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause, many women notice changes in their skin. As collagen production slows, the skin becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic, and fine lines can deepen. The barrier function also weakens, so sensitivity and slow healing can become part of daily life.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help counteract some of those changes. When you replace the hormones your body stops making, particularly oestrogen, several aspects of skin health can improve. Evidence shows that HRT increases collagen levels, boosts elasticity and hydration, and thickens the dermis. These changes often lead to softer, plumper skin and can even reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.
Dermatologists note that delivering HRT through the skin with patches or creams can be gentler and allow more precise control than some other methods. Topical oestrogen, often formulated with milder forms of the hormone, may improve hydration and elasticity at the application site.
Progesterone and testosterone also influence skin. Progesterone may help with texture and barrier support, while testosterone can thicken skin but might increase oiliness or breakouts for some women.
Risks and benefits vary by individual, so a conversation with a clinician who understands your health history is essential. Once unpopular because of outdated safety warnings, HRT is now better understood and, for many women, can provide both symptomatic relief and improvements in skin condition when appropriately prescribed.
Good skincare practices remain essential whether you choose HRT or not. Sun protection, moisturisers, and tailored routines help support any gains from hormone therapy. Choosing the right approach can help you feel more comfortable in your skin as you move through midlife.
— Yara x
Turns Out Desire Didn’t Retire After Menopause
The FDA has expanded approval for the daily medication Addyi, marking the first time this pill is officially sanctioned to treat low sexual desire in postmenopausal women under 65. Previously, it was only approved for premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a condition of persistently low sexual desire that causes distress. Addyi acts on brain chemistry rather than hormones and is designed to gradually enhance desire by influencing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin.
This change opens treatment to a group of women who often experience a drop in libido during and after the menopause transition. Research shows a significant proportion of women notice reduced sexual interest in midlife, and experts see this as a step towards recognising sexual health as an integral part of overall wellbeing. Doctors familiar with the drug predict that more explicit regulatory backing will also make it easier to secure insurance coverage for eligible women.
Like all medications, Addyi comes with potential side effects. These can include dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, headache, fatigue and sleepiness. The FDA carries a warning about using it with alcohol or certain other medications because of risks such as low blood pressure or fainting.
Clinicians stress that medication is one of several options to address a waning libido after menopause. Hormone therapy, especially when tailored to individual needs, can help many women. Lifestyle factors, relationship dynamics, and psychological well-being also play a role in desire, so a comprehensive approach is most effective.
Speech around female sexual health has shifted in recent years, with advocates arguing that midlife wellbeing deserves the same attention as historically given to male sexual function. Addyi’s expanded approval is likely to prompt further conversation and research into treatments that reflect women’s experiences across the lifespan.
Cheese Today, Einstein Tomorrow? The Dairy Diet That Might Out-Wit Dementia
An extensive Swedish study has put a surprising twist on the age-old question of whether cheese actually belongs in a healthy diet. Researchers tracked nearly 28,000 adults for about 25 years to assess how diet relates to dementia risk. They found that people who ate about 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily — roughly two slices of cheddar or Brie — had a modestly lower chance of developing dementia than those who ate very little cheese. Consumers of at least 20 grams of high-fat cream per day also showed a slight reduction in risk.
In this context, “high-fat” means cheeses with more than 20 per cent fat and creams with 30–40 per cent fat. These products were linked to around a 13 per cent lower overall dementia risk, while vascular dementia risk appeared up to 29 per cent lower for heavier cheese eaters. The observational nature of the research means it can’t prove cause and effect, just that there’s an association between higher consumption of certain fatty dairy foods and reduced risk over decades.
Significantly, the results did not extend to low-fat cheeses, milk, or fermented dairy such as yoghurt, which showed no apparent association with brain outcomes. Nutrition experts emphasise that overall lifestyle and dietary patterns matter far more than any single food. Regular activity, balanced meals rich in vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, and blood pressure management remain the best-supported approaches to long-term brain health.
Researchers caution that diets vary globally, and cheese consumption in Sweden may not reflect that in other countries. They also note that people who ate more cheese tended to have other healthy habits, making it difficult to determine the precise driver of the observed risk reduction. More work is needed before cheese can officially be crowned a brain-healthy superstar.
Bad Hair Day? Blame Your Pills, Not the Mirror
Hair thinning and shedding can be more than fodder for bad selfies. A range of commonly prescribed medications can interfere with the normal hair growth cycle and lead to noticeable hair loss, often months after you start a new drug. Drug-induced hair loss typically shows up as diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than patchy bald spots, and you may notice more strands in the shower or on your pillow than usual.
A surprising list of drugs has been linked to hair loss in women. Hormonal medications such as certain oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy can disrupt your hair cycle by altering hormone balance. Antidepressants, including SSRIs, antihypertensive drugs like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, blood thinners such as warfarin and heparin, cholesterol-lowering statins, and some anticonvulsants all show up on lists of culprits. In some cases, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy cause the most dramatic hair loss because they disrupt the active growth phase of hair follicles.
The good news is that most medication-related hair loss is temporary. Hair generally regrows once the offending drug is stopped or switched, though that change should always be guided by a clinician who knows your medical history. Discussing concerns early with your doctor or pharmacist can help you weigh the benefits of a drug against unwanted side effects, such as hair thinning, and explore alternatives or dosage adjustments.
There are also options to support regrowth while continuing essential medications. Topical treatments such as minoxidil are widely used and can stimulate new growth when applied consistently over several months. In some cases, dermatologists may suggest adjunct treatments or recommend nutrient support to bolster hair health while addressing underlying causes.
Understanding that medication-linked hair loss is a recognised phenomenon can take some of the sting out of losing strands. With the proper guidance and approach, you can navigate treatments that work for your health and your hair.
Coffee, Cabbage and Other Things Your Gut Secretly Judges You For
If your digestive system had a morning routine wishlist, it might start with something far simpler than kombucha and kale smoothies. Gastroenterologists say small habits in the first hours after waking can affect how your gut feels throughout the day, especially for people over fifty, when digestion tends to slow, and sensitivity can increase.
Start with water. Your digestive tract wants hydration before anything fancy. Drinking a glass of water soon after you wake helps jump-start digestion, ease bloating and set the tone for the day. If you add a squeeze of lemon for flavour, that is fine too, but plain water remains the gut’s favourite wake-up call.
Movement matters. You do not need a marathon before breakfast. Gentle physical activity, such as a short walk, simple stretches, or breathing exercises, helps stimulate the muscles in your gut. This can reduce sluggishness that often comes with age and help keep things moving on schedule.
Breakfast is an opportunity to make friends with your microbiome rather than wage war. Foods rich in fibre, such as oats, berries, seeds, and whole grains, nourish beneficial gut bacteria. Yoghurt with live cultures or a scoop of kefir can introduce helpful microbes that improve digestion and support immunity. Your gut enjoys variety, so mixing these foods into your morning meal lets different bacterial strains thrive.
Avoid rushing into heavy or greasy foods early in the day. While a bacon-loaded breakfast sandwich might feel like a warm hug, it can cause discomfort if your digestive system is sensitive. Give yourself a little time before introducing things that might trigger indigestion.
A consistent routine helps your internal clock and gut work in harmony. Waking at a regular time, eating meals around the same hours each day, and listening to your body’s signals can help your gut respond with fewer protests.
Good morning habits for your gut do not need to be elaborate. Simple choices, repeated daily, can lead to less bloating, more regularity, and calmer mornings for your entire digestive system. Let your gut wake up with you rather than shouting at you later in the day.
That Jab Might Tingle, but It Won’t Give You Pneumonia Panic
If you have been offered the pneumonia vaccine as you get older, a few side effects might pop up. The good news is that the symptoms most people experience are mild and short-lived, and they are signs that your immune system is doing its job. Getting vaccinated helps protect you against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis.
The most common reaction is tenderness, redness, or swelling around the site where the needle was inserted. Your arm may feel sore or look slightly swollen for a day or two. You might also notice a slight fever, a headache or some muscle aches as your body builds its defence. Some people experience mild fatigue or briefly lose their appetite after the jab. These reactions are typical and usually fade within a couple of days without treatment.
A mildly elevated temperature is not unusual and shows your immune system is waking up. Feeling a little off colour for a day is normal, but annoying. If you do feel under the weather, resting, staying well hydrated, and taking paracetamol usually help you bounce back quickly.
Although extreme reactions are rare, any vaccine can trigger an allergic response. Signs such as severe swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or a rapid heartbeat require urgent medical attention. These severe reactions are uncommon, but it is essential to know what to look for and to have a plan in place if symptoms arise.
Overall, side effects from the pneumonia vaccine are a minor inconvenience compared to the protection it offers. Most discomfort clears within a couple of days and should not deter you from getting the jab, which can help keep your lungs and overall health stronger as you age.
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment. It is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
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