Swell Collective

01/18/2024

Let's shed some light on a less-talked-about symptom of menopause: increased itching and allergies. 🙇‍♀️🔥⁠
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Estrogen and progesterone impact areas all over the body, not just a few. That's why menopause can show up in all sorts of different ways, and why it's different for everyone. If you are a woman in your 40's and 50's and have been experiencing more itching and allergic symptoms, or are experiencing allergies for the first time, it's no coincidence. ⁠
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Decreasing estrogen makes your skin dry and this impacts elasticity. This causes a feeling of tightness that makes your skin itchy. There are also estrogen receptors on certain immune-regulating cells, in particular the ones that release histamine. When estrogen levels drop or fluctuate, it impacts how these cells respond to allergens you're exposed to, potentially worsening or causing an allergy. Additionally, there are receptors on these cells for progesterone, too, so if both hormones are changing, it's a double-whammy. ⁠
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🔍 What can you do?⁠
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Hydrate: nourish your skin from the inside out⁠
Moisturize: do this regularly using clean products for sensitive skin⁠
Reduce common histamine triggers in food: nightshades, red wine, chocolate, and cheese are just a few!⁠
Sign up for The Perimenopause Club: we will talk about allllll the things AND give you lots of ways to manage your menopause experience.

www.swellco.ca/book

01/09/2024

✨️The Perimenopause Club✨️⁠
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We are SO excited to announce a collaboration with . Starting on Thursday, January 25 we will be hosting six weeks of education that will combine the extensive hormone knowledge of Dr. Lisa with the s*xual health expertise of the Swell Collective. This series will be comprehensive, informative, and FUN. You will be a part of a community who are going through the same things you are, and truly, this is the where the magic happens. Realizing that you're not alone in all the crazy hormone changes is EVERYTHING. ⁠
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The Perimenopause Club will run from 7 - 8:30pm PST. We are taking 8 people in-person only but we will also offer access virtually. We are offering an introductory price of $399 for all 6 nights (9 hrs of content!), and if you are a patient of Dr. Lisa's, sessions qualify for coverage with extended health plans and health spending accounts. ⁠
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Who will benefit from this club? Mostly women in their 40's who are in perimenopause (or think they are!), but you can also DM us if you if you're not sure. ⁠
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LET'S DO THIS. Perimenopause is NOT the beginning of the end. It's the next phase. Let's make it amazing. ⁠
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Want more info or ready to register? Email us at connect@swellco.ca or see our website for more info: www.swellco.ca/book

11/16/2023

Did you know that some of the simplest things in life can help balance your hormones? ⁠
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Find Joy Everyday 🎉: Whether it’s a hobby, a walk in the park, or your favourite song, engaging in activities that bring you joy can have a positive impact on your hormonal health.⁠
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Cherish Your Connections 🤗: Spending quality time with loved ones isn't just good for the soul, it's great for your hormones too! Laughing and bonding with friends and family release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.⁠
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Embrace the Now 🧘‍♀️: Practicing mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or simply being present in the moment can significantly reduce stress hormones like cortisol, fostering a sense of calm and balance in your body.⁠
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Sometimes it's the simple things that we push to the side in place of other, seemingly more urgent tasks, but the truth is that one of the keys to balanced hormones is keeping it simple.

11/15/2023

🌟 Surprising Menopause Fact 🌟

Did you know that menopause can lead to a surge in self-confidence and s*xual liberation for many women? 🌺🔥 While it's often portrayed as a time of decline, menopause can actually mark a new chapter of s*xual empowerment.

With age, many women report feeling more comfortable in their skin, more assertive in expressing their needs, and more adventurous in exploring new facets of their s*xuality. This period can be a time of rediscovery and reconnection with one's body and desires.

Let's break the stigma and embrace this powerful phase of life! 💪🌈

*xualEmpowerment *xEd

11/09/2023

Reignite your inner fire 🔥⁠
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Perimenopause and menopause may bring changes, but it's also an opportunity to learn all the ways you can manage your hormones, feel comfortable in your body, and take your pleasure to the next level. Let's celebrate this transformative time and reclaim your spark and vitality. ⁠
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Join us (and a very special guest!) as we give you all the knowledge and tools you will need. After attending our workshop, you'll leave feeling empowered to reclaim your vitality. The time has come. ✨⁠
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Go to our website for more information - www.swellco.ca, or go right to Eventbrite if you're ready to register - https://tinyurl.com/fxy8rfxp.

10/19/2023

World Menopause Day is held each year on 18 October to raise awareness, break the stigma and share support available for improving health and wellbeing for those experiencing menopause. The theme for this year is Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), which is the highest cause of mortality for women worldwide.

Despite affecting about half of the world’s population, menopause is not getting the attention and research it needs. Recognition of heart attacks in female patients is significantly lower than in males, making prevention even more important for women.

Several symptoms of menopause have been linked to CVD: vasomotor symptoms, commonly known as hot flushes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, and depression. Menopause is a natural part of aging, and it's not a disease to be fixed, so what can you do if you are menopausal?

Cardiovascular disease risk is closely related to lifestyle choices, so there are several ways for everyone to reduce their risk:

✅ Reducing smoking and alcohol consumption
✅ Regular physical activity
✅ Eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables
✅ Lowering salt consumption
✅ Maintaining a healthy weight
✅ Sleeping enough

These are healthy lifestyle changes with a range of positive effects which can also lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and increase quality of life in general.

10/16/2023

Breasts really are incredible. They produce milk, feed babies, provide pleasure, and for many are a source of sensuality and power. Did you know that breast tissue changes as you age? As you approach menopause the milk ducts and mammary glands in the breast tissue start to shut down and shrink in size, which can make breasts look smaller and less full. As the metabolism also slows down due to less estrogen, there is more fat tissue deposited in the breasts, also making them softer. For most, breast density will decrease, and this lowers the risk of breast cancer. That said, the changes in how breast tissue feels can make it harder to detect changes that would alert you to see a doctor, since everything can feel new and different.

We're currently in the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We believe that educating yourself on your body and taking care of it through all the ages and stages are the best ways to celebrate it's incredible power. That includes your breasts. Self-breast checks should be done monthly, either a few days after your period finishes, or if you're post-menopausal or don't have a period, on the same day each month (like the 1st or the 15th). You know your body best and will be the first one to notices changes if you are checking regularly.

If you are between the ages of 40 and 74 you are also eligible for free screening mammograms in BC, which are recommended every 2 years once you have started. High risk individuals may be eligible earlier. Talk to your trust healthcare provider then make your own plan. Celebrate your breasts by taking care of them, which in turn takes care of you 💕.

10/11/2023

New blog post! Everything you need to know about l**e.

With so many different types available, it’s no wonder that one of the most common questions we’re asked is how you choose the right personal lubricant. The truth is that there is no one right l**e for everyone. Even two people looking for the same types of benefits from a l**e will have differe...

10/04/2023

Here's the truth - a woman's body changes when they go through menopause. Here's a fact - that doesn't have to mean that it's all down hill from there, especially when it comes to intimacy. We have a new blog post up to give some real life tips to those of you who feel like s*x doesn't feel like it used to.
*xpositive *xualwellness *xualhealth

3 Tips for Better S*x After Menopause

06/07/2023

When you educate your child on s*xual health, you are teaching them biology and physiology - not how to have s*x.

Many parents worry that if they tell their child how to have s*x safely that it will make they feel they have a free pass to have s*x. But research has shown that this isn't true at all, and in fact, the opposite of what actually happens.

If you have never talked to your child about s*x it doesn't mean they don't know what it is. It just means that you're not on the same page.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 7, we are hosting a parent session from 7 - 8:30pm PST that will give you everything you need to start and continue these conversations with your child. It could benefit any parent with a child of any age from preschool right up to high school. It's never too late to start.

https://www.swellco.ca/book

06/05/2023

About half of teens are using TikTok to learn about s*x because they aren't getting the information the need or want elsewhere.

Does this surprise you? It shouldn't. The inconsistencies in s*xual health education are glaring. This is because s*xual health is part of the phys ed curriculum, yet phys ed teachers don't receive education on how to teach this topic when they are in college. As a parent you expect that a certain amount is being taught as a baseline however the curriculum guidelines are vague and also indicate what level of understanding is required to achieve that competency. Some teachers are more comfortable having these conversations with kids than others, just like some parents are more comfortable about than others.

What have you talked to your kids about? Do they know all the anatomical names of reproductive organs? Do they know what the difference is between good and bad touch? Do they know what s*x is supposed to feel like? Have you encouraged them to learn about their own anatomy so that they know when something is wrong?

If you need help, we have you. It's always best to start early, but it's never too late to start the conversation. This Wednesday, we have a parent workshop to help you - you will find the link below for more info or to sign up. Be the parent whose kid always comes to them before they go to TikTok.

https://www.swellco.ca/book

05/31/2023

It's easy to get caught up in conversations about birth control, STI protection, and consent when talking to kids about s*x because those are the obvious areas where things can go wrong. But what we should also be doing is talking about how s*x is SUPPOSED to feel because if it doesn't feel good, they need to know it's important to figure out why. Too many people experience pain or discomfort right from their very first s*xual experience and never get checked out because they don't know any different. Teens and young adults feel embarrassed about telling a trusted adult that s*x doesn't feel good because they've always been told that they shouldn't be having s*x, and they are afraid something might be wrong with them.

The truth is that the vast majority of the time, when people have s*x it's for fun and pleasure, not to make a baby. So let's start being honest about this from an early age to remove the shame that often occurs later in life.