Q: Long before menopausal hot flashes began, I had “cold flashes” before bed or at night. Is this a real thing — perhaps part of some larger inability of the body to regulate temperature before menopause? A: Yes, cold flashes are real. While your circadian rhythm normally makes you feel a bit cooler at night, cold flashes can be a manifestation of temperature instability — a common occurrence for women at midlife. What’s happening? With fluctuating hormones, your brain’s internal thermostat…

I am losing sensation in my genital area during sex. There is not enough lubrication. What is the best product to use for sensitive skin?

Do you know the feeling of being a little flush in the face or hot under the collar? If you're an older woman, the memory alone may make you feel uncomfortable -- and hot. But hope may be on the horizon. For more than 70% of women, this feeling becomes a regular occurrence during one particular time of their lives: menopause, when their periods stop and they are no longer able to bear children. Yet despite its commonality, very little is known about why hot flashes occur and why some women are…

I don’t have any interest in having sex with my husband and I can’t feel him when we have sex. I am 32 years old and would like to know what I can do enjoy sex, again.

Dr. Lynn Simpson discusses six common hot flash triggers that have nothing to do with menopause and what to do about them.

Download our free guide to learn more about vulvar disorders and your treatment options.

Download our free guide to learn more about chronic pelvic pain and your treatment options.

Certified Nurse Practitioner Dana Leslie discusses vulvar disorders and how women can properly care for their vulvas.

Read dieticiain and nutrition expert, Beth Bluestone's guest column on the Mind Diet: Eating Right to Keep you Mentally Sharp!

The short answer from women's health specialist Dr. Holly L. Thacker.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker explains cold flashes and how they can affect women.

November 2016 -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved prasterone (Intrarosa, Endoceutics Inc) to treat women with moderate to severe pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) associated with menopause. Prasterone, a once-daily vaginal insert, is the first FDA-approved product containing the active ingredient prasterone, also known as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Estrogen levels decline in vaginal tissues during menopause, which may lead to vulvar and vaginal atrophy…

I’m a 32 year old female in average shape. Ever since high school, I seem to have a moderate to high amount of headaches, seemingly different kinds. I usually just count it as stress.

However, in the last few years, I have these horrible headaches that pop up every few months, where the very first vertebrae at the top of my neck seems to pop out. The pain is significant, and I can be sensitive to light, smells, movement and sounds. When it happens, if I put a lot of pressure on that vertebrae, it helps momentarily. My chiropractor says it’s stress and increased blood flow pushing out that vertebrae. My family doctor doesn’t seem concerned. Should I do anything else? Thanks!

I’m a 32 year old female in average shape. Over the past month or so, I’ve been doing more yard work like pulling weeds, planting, laying mulch, raking and trimming. In the evening, my thumbs having an internal burning sensation, and I experience pain in my lower thumb joints.

Sometimes my thumbs seem weak, and I have intermittent shaking. It’s significant enough that it can keep me awake at night and still ache in the morning. After a few days, it disappears. I’ve already had surgery on my right wrist for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. What could this be?

Dr. Holly L. Thacker thanks all of our Speaking of Women’s Health supporters and asks for support of Speaking of Women’s Health on #GivingTuesday.

Dr. Holly L. Thacker reflects on 2016 support and accomplishments and talks about giving during the holiday season.

I have hair that grows around the areola on my breasts. I find it annoying so I shave it off. Is it safe to shave hair off your breasts?

Of course, now I feel my breasts are feeling scratchy now that the hair is gone and the area has been shaved. Any advice on how to deal with hair on your breasts that you don’t want there? Thanks!

December 2016 - Age-related decline in women's lung function may speed up during and after menopause, a recent study suggests. Past research has shown that young women can boost their lung function through their mid-twenties by following a healthy lifestyle that includes getting plenty of aerobic exercise and avoiding cigarettes. After that, lung function declines gradually, and the process can be sped up when people smoke or carry excess fat around their midsection.

When does your weight loss become dangerous to your health?

What us the connection between calcium and cholesterol? As kids we drank up to two quarts of milk a day, almost never water. First we had cows, later milkman delivered the milk. I was in my 30’s before even considering drinking water.

My family has a history of strokes. I eat a couple cups of nuts a day as I crave nuts and may also eat 1/2 cup of peanut butter a day.

I am nervously re-incorporating one egg a day. I was hard-boiling eggs, discarding yolks once a week and pulverizing whites. I add them to a water slurry for a milky substitute with oatmeal.

My craving for nuts is so great. What is going on? My carotid are in stage 3 and 4. Can you help slide my diet around?