Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Senolytics clear “zombie” cells to improve healthspan, but the science and safety are still evolving; animal data are strong and early human trials show short term functional gains, yet these therapies are not approved for routine use and key questions about dosing and long term risks remain. There are several factors to consider, including potential side effects, drug interactions, unproven supplement claims, and safer lifestyle strategies that may lower senescent burden; see the complete details below to understand important nuances and choose the right next steps with your healthcare provider.

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, shaping how cells age and linking to risks like slower repair, increased inflammation, and some age-related diseases, though they do not dictate your future health. There are several factors to consider: lifestyle choices can influence telomere wear, no proven treatment safely lengthens them for the general population, and testing has limits, so see below for evidence supported habits, testing caveats, and when to speak with a doctor to decide your next steps.

Pain during sex is not normal; it is a warning signal, and pushing through can heighten nerve sensitivity, tighten pelvic muscles, and make the pain harder to treat. There are several factors to consider, including dryness, infections, pelvic floor tension, endometriosis or fibroids, medication effects, and trauma, and red flags like bleeding, fever, severe or night pain, weight loss, or pain with urination or bowel movements warrant prompt medical care; see below for the complete details and treatment options that could impact your next steps.

3 signs it is an emergency: heavy bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour or will not stop, bleeding with severe pain, fever, nausea, dizziness, fainting, or confusion, and any bleeding after menopause or after sexual trauma. There are several factors to consider. Important details below can guide your next steps, including when to call 911, when to go to the ER, and what causes like ectopic pregnancy, tears, or infection may look like.

Blue pills can improve blood flow, but they do not treat the stress-driven roots of performance anxiety, and relying on them alone can increase pressure, reinforce dependence, and leave relationship or trauma factors unaddressed. A fuller solution pairs a medical check with targeted therapy, nervous system regulation, and open communication, with medication as only one tool. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, so see the complete details below.

Walking supports overall health but usually does not deliver the progressive load bones need to build or maintain density, so relying on it alone can silently raise the risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures, especially with aging and after menopause. Adding resistance training 2 to 3 times per week more effectively stimulates bone-forming cells and protects key sites like the spine, hips, wrists, and shoulders. There are several factors to consider, including hormones, nutrition, balance, and when to seek medical guidance; see below to understand more.

There are several factors to consider for safer anal sex: get clear consent and communicate, prepare with a bowel movement and gentle external washing, start small and go slowly, use lots of water or silicone lubricant, use condoms or gloves, avoid oil-based or numbing products, and never push past sharp pain. See below for complete guidance on reducing STI and injury risk, how to choose and reapply lube with condom and toy compatibility in mind, aftercare and hygiene, who should speak with a clinician beforehand, and which symptoms after sex require prompt medical attention to guide your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: in older adults, NAD+ levels fall with age, and precursors like NR and NMN can raise them and may support brain energy, but evidence for memory gains is limited and they are not proven to prevent cognitive decline. Use them, if at all, as an add-on to exercise, sleep, and medical care, and because many important details about dosing, product quality, interactions, and long-term safety can affect your next steps, see the complete details below.

New partners can make you climax faster because anxiety triggers the body’s stress response, which speeds arousal and reduces control over timing; this is common and often improves with familiarity, not a sign of dysfunction. There are several factors to consider. Practical steps and red flags matter for next steps, including slowing down, breathing, brief communication, addressing sleep, caffeine or alcohol, and knowing when to see a doctor if symptoms persist or include pain or erection changes. See below for complete guidance and details that could shape your healthcare decisions.

Autophagy is your skin’s natural cellular cleanup that supports renewal, barrier strength, resilience to sun and pollution, and healthier aging, and you can encourage it with balanced time between meals, nutrient dense foods with adequate protein, good sleep, and moderate activity. There are several factors to consider, including hormone shifts, risks of overly restrictive fasting, cautious use of supplements, and warning signs that merit medical care; see details below to guide the best next steps for your skin and overall health.

Autophagy is the body's cellular cleaning and recycling system that helps repair cells and supports healthy aging, immune function, metabolic balance, and brain health. It happens continuously and can increase with sleep, exercise, and periods without food, but more is not always better and some people should avoid extreme fasting or unproven supplements. There are several factors to consider, so see below for timing, safe ways to support it, who should be cautious, and when to speak to a doctor.

Autophagy, the brain’s cellular recycling system, helps protect seniors from neurodegeneration by clearing toxic proteins, sustaining mitochondrial energy, reducing chronic inflammation, and preserving synaptic function. There are several factors to consider, including age related declines in autophagy and safe ways to support it with exercise, quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and stress control, plus red flags and when to seek medical care, with cautions around fasting, extreme workouts, and supplements; see below for essential details that could influence your next healthcare steps.

There are several factors to consider: in adults 65+, telomere attrition can be slowed by consistent moderate exercise, anti inflammatory nutrient dense eating, stress management, 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and staying socially connected, while actively treating diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, depression, and sleep disorders. Supplements and routine telomere testing are not proven solutions, so the most effective approach is sustainable habits plus clinician guided care. See below for practical routines, red flag symptoms, and other important details that could shape your next steps.

For postmenopausal brain fog, the best-supported supplements are omega-3s DHA and EPA, B6, B9, and B12 guided by blood tests, vitamin D, and magnesium L-threonate or glycinate, with emerging evidence for creatine; they work best alongside consistent sleep, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and stress control. There are several factors to consider, including when to see a doctor, risks from poorly regulated products, and whether hormone therapy or lab testing is appropriate. See below to understand more, including red flags, medication interactions, and step-by-step next actions.

All major birth control options are covered, including hormonal methods (pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, hormonal IUD), barrier methods, long acting reversible options like copper or hormonal IUDs, permanent procedures, emergency contraception, and fertility awareness. It explains how they work, typical benefits and downsides, and which methods protect against STIs. There are several factors to consider, like effectiveness, side effects, convenience, reversibility, medical contraindications, cost, and when to seek urgent care; see below for complete details and guidance so you can choose the right next steps with a clinician.

CoQ10 can modestly support mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defense in adults over 75, especially when levels drop with age, chronic disease, or statin use. It is not a cure and works best as part of a broader, medically guided plan to maintain function and quality of life. See below for the nutrients that matter beyond CoQ10 (B vitamins, magnesium, alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine), the lifestyle steps with the biggest impact (gentle activity, adequate protein, sleep, condition management), and safety considerations including potential interactions with blood thinners and other medications that could shape your next steps.

Healthy sexual relationships are built on open communication, ongoing consent, mutual respect, emotional safety, and attention to physical comfort, protection, and overall wellness. There are several factors to consider that can affect your next steps, including shared responsibility for STI testing and contraception, addressing pain, bleeding, or sudden changes in desire, and honoring personal history or trauma; see below for practical signs to look for and when to talk to a doctor.

Sex positivity is an evidence-based, health-focused approach that centers consent, accurate education, respect for diverse identities and desires, and personal agency, helping people make informed, shame-free choices rather than promoting any particular behavior. Research links it to safer outcomes like lower STI rates and unintended pregnancies, improved mental health and relationship satisfaction, and earlier, more open care-seeking. There are several factors to consider; see below for key principles of consent and communication, the role of trauma and emotional safety, age-specific needs, practical steps you can take, and when to speak with a clinician so your next healthcare steps are well guided.

Seniors with arthritis can use condoms safely and more comfortably; choose easy-open, pre-lubricated or larger condoms, prepare ahead with scissors and good lighting, use applicators and silicone lube, pinch the tip and roll down with your palm, and ask a partner to help. There are several important details that can change your next steps, including how to check dates and seals, safe removal, non-latex options, pain control, emotional support, STI risks, and when to see a doctor; see below for the complete guidance.

Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia, affects people of any gender and is common and treatable, with causes that include vaginal dryness from low estrogen, infections, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, endometriosis and other pelvic conditions, skin disorders, vaginismus, and emotional or trauma-related factors. Effective options include lubricants and moisturizers, vaginal estrogen, antibiotics or antifungals, topical therapies, pelvic floor physical therapy, and counseling, while urgent signs like fever, unexplained bleeding, rapidly worsening pain, foul discharge, weight loss, or bowel changes warrant prompt care. There are several factors to consider, see below for evaluation steps, red flags, and how to choose the right next steps with your healthcare provider.

Because estrogen loss during peri and post menopause accelerates collagen decline, HRT often delivers the most meaningful skin improvements by restoring collagen production, skin thickness, hydration, and resilience from the inside out. There are several factors to consider, including candidacy, formulation, timing, risks, and how to combine HRT with skincare and lifestyle, so see the complete answer below to understand key details that could shape your next steps with a clinician.

For seniors seeking longevity and metabolic fitness without extreme diets, there are several factors to consider: prioritize protein at every meal, choose fiber rich carbohydrates and healthy fats, move daily with strength and gentle cardio, use simple meal timing rather than long fasts, and support sleep, stress control, hydration, and key micronutrients. Because medication needs, red flags, and personal conditions can change the right plan and next steps, review the complete guidance below for specific food options, movement ideas, and when to contact a clinician.

Gentle temperature exposure can help older adults support immune resilience by using brief, comfortable bouts of mild cold and heat, not extremes, to activate repair pathways, circulation, and balanced immune responses. There are several factors to consider, like starting with short cool shower finishes or warm baths, building in recovery and hydration, and stopping if you feel unwell. Important safety exclusions and when to talk with your doctor could change your next steps; see the complete guidance below.

There are several factors to consider. GLP-1 medicines can help some peri and postmenopausal women by reducing appetite, improving insulin sensitivity, and lowering visceral belly fat, but they do not target estrogen or fix menopause symptoms and they work best alongside protein intake, strength training, sleep, and clinician guidance. Results and risks vary, so eligibility, side effects, long term use, and alternatives matter. See the complete answer below for many important details on who may benefit or should avoid them, safety red flags, and practical next steps to discuss with your healthcare provider.

Grip strength is a simple, low cost signal of whole body muscle and nerve vitality, and lower scores consistently link to higher risks of earlier death, cardiovascular disease, hospitalization, and loss of independence even after accounting for age and activity. There are several factors to consider, including what counts as low for your age and sex, how your strength changes over time, practical ways to improve it with resistance training, hand exercises, daily use, and protein, plus red flag symptoms that should prompt medical care. See below for the complete answer with specifics that may affect your next steps in care.

Small, controlled doses of good stress from heat and cold can trigger hormesis, activating heat shock proteins, strengthening mitochondria, improving metabolic and cardiovascular health, and potentially supporting longevity when done briefly with adequate recovery. There are several factors to consider, including who should avoid these practices, how to start safely, and why more is not better. See below for specific benefits, step-by-step sauna and cold exposure guidelines, safety warnings, and when to seek medical advice.

HRT can help some adults over 65 improve libido by addressing age-related declines in testosterone for men and estrogen for women, but results vary and hormones are only one part of the issue. There are several factors to consider, including who is a good candidate, potential risks like blood clots or prostate effects, and how dosing and delivery methods are monitored. Alternatives like pelvic floor therapy, sex therapy, exercise, sleep, and medication review may help, and a clinician can guide testing and safe options tailored to you; see below for the complete guidance and key details that could shape your next steps.

There are several factors to consider: HRT options include estrogen-only, combined estrogen with progesterone, low-dose local vaginal estrogen, and select testosterone; benefits include strong relief of hot flashes, better sleep and urogenital health, and bone protection, while risks like blood clots, stroke, breast cancer, and gallbladder disease depend on dose, route, and timing. Modern guidance supports individualized plans using the lowest effective dose, preference for transdermal estrogen, annual review, and more cautious use after 60 or beyond 10 years since menopause; see below for important nuances, who should avoid HRT, alternatives, duration strategies, and next steps to discuss with your clinician.

Yes, starting hormone therapy after 65 can be appropriate for some, and age alone should not exclude you, but the decision must be individualized. Potential benefits include relief of persistent hot flashes, vaginal and urinary symptoms, better sleep, and bone protection. Risks can be higher when starting later in life, especially with oral systemic therapy, while lower dose, transdermal, and local vaginal estrogen may be safer, so medical supervision is essential. There are several factors to consider; see the complete guidance below to understand options, cautions, and the questions to review with your doctor.

GLP-1 medications can shift intimacy by changing body image, hormones, energy, and physical comfort, but you can reconnect with your body and partner through open communication, mindful exploration, and expanding what intimacy means. There are several factors to consider. See below for specific strategies, timing around nausea, medical issues like vaginal dryness or erectile changes, mental health or trauma considerations, and clear guidance on when to talk to a clinician, as these details can affect your next steps.