We’ve all heard about the dreaded hot flashes, hair loss, and depleted bone
density among a plethora of other things as we get older, but thanks to advances in functional and aesthetic medicine, getting older can be a time of celebration and rejuvenation.
We recently spoke with four local experts who offered encouraging advice and proven techniques on how to take control of your physical, mental, and sexual wellness to keep you active, attractive, healthy and happy well into your so-called sunset years.
Protect your Pelvic Health
“This new phase of life should be celebrated rather than feared,” says Dr. Sam DuFlo, PT, DPT, PRPC, founder, owner and chief medical officer of Indigo Physiotherapy in Potomac. “It’s a chapter of change that should be approached with a mindset of embracing new possibilities.”
DuFlo, a holistic physical therapist, specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) to promote both women’s and men’s pelvic health.
“Pelvic floor PT can help women manage the various symptoms and changes
associated with perimenopause and menopause, as well as addressing the
problems men may have with incontinence or ED,” says DuFlo. “PFPT can
include exercises or stretches to improve bone health, maintain muscle
strength, promote blood flow, improve functionality, prevent pain, and
promote sexual wellness.”
He works with patients to put together a plan of care that considers their lifestyle, goals, activity level, and plans for the future. “We see a lot of people at 50+ starting to get really active playing pickleball, tennis, golf, running marathons, or traveling. We teach you how to be your strongest, best self giving a variety of exercises patients can do at home that promotes longevity and carries them forward as they age.”
“It’s also important to talk about what’s common versus what’s normal,” says DuFlo. “It may be common for women to have issues with leaking when they cough or sneeze, but that’s not normal. We can address that issue so people don’t have to feel worry or shame. There’s no reason women should have to wear panty liners forever.”
Manage your Menopause
Hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and joint stiffness may be a fact of life for women entering perimenopause or menopause, but there’s no reason to suffer in silence with these symptoms.
Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP, a functional medicine practitioner at the Osteopathic Center for Healing in Rockville, specializes in hormone replacement therapy for women and men.
“Right around age 50, women’s ovaries stop producing the hormones that keep them feeling young and vibrant, causing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms,” says Gularson.
Gularson specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which utilizes medications derived from natural plant sources that act like the hormones your body produces naturally. These hormones, available as injections, creams, gels, pellets, or oral medications, can significantly help alleviate perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms.
“Unlike the hormones used back in the early 2000s that were thought to have negative effects such as cancer or heart disease, BHRT is chemically identical to the hormones your ovaries make, making it a safer option for hormone replacement therapy,” says Gularson.
“As a woman, once you enter menopause, you’re in it for the rest of your life,” she stresses. “The effects of not producing any more estrogen continue and can be far reaching, in terms of bone loss, high cholesterol, and greater risk of heart disease and dementia, among other issues.”
Safeguard your Sexual Wellness
As men age, they’re susceptible to physical and sexual wellness issues as a result of hormonal imbalances and medical conditions.
“The most common complaints we hear from men are feeling tired, lack of
energy and not having the drive they used to,” says Peter Petropoulos, MD,
founder and medical director at Potomac Medical Aesthetics. “In addition to
hormonal and medical concerns, weight is often a major factor in men’s
physical and sexual wellness. Once we’re able to address the weight issue,
we can often alleviate some other problems relating to fatigue, sleep,
inability to concentrate, or other concerns. Medications can also have a
secondary side effect, causing mental fatigue or other specific physical
dysfunction,” he notes.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) can have a significant impact on men’s physical
and mental health. Medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and
high blood pressure can hinder blood flow, while hormonal imbalances and
neurological disorders may disrupt nerve signals essential for
functionality. Psychological issues such as stress, anxiety, depression or
relationship issues can create a cycle of anxiety exacerbating the problem.
Lifestyle factors like obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
can play a significant role as well.
When it comes to treatment options for ED, Petropoulos focuses on medications, Shockwave therapy - using sound waves to repair blood vessels, and platelet-rich plasma therapy to promote healing and increase sensitivity.
Heal your Hair & Skin
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is a non-surgical treatment that’s increasingly being used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures to treat a variety of conditions, including skin rejuvenation, hair loss, and ED. During the process a small amount of blood is drawn and separated into plasma and platelets using a centrifuge. The concentrated platelets are then injected into a specific area of the body and release growth factors and other proteins stimulating tissue repair and regeneration.
PRP is particularly effective for skincare treatment and hair rejuvenation, says Neil Rosenman, MD, an aesthetic and family medicine specialist at Regenerative Aesthetics & Cosmetic Medicine, a division of ROSM in North Bethesda.
“PRP facials address a variety of skin concerns, making them popular for improving fine lines and wrinkles; hyperpigmentation, age spots, and brown spots; enlarged pores and blackheads; acne and acne scars; stretch marks; dull complexion; uneven skin tone and texture; melasma; and sun damage. Treatment can rejuvenate the skin, leaving it with a natural, youthful, and flawless appearance,” says Rosenman.
“For hair regeneration, as we age, blood flow to the scalp decreases, causing hair follicles to shrink, leading to hair thinning and hair loss. PRP therapy involves injecting PRP into the scalp to stimulate dormant hair follicles, helping them to reactivate. A microneedling device is also used to further push PRP into the tissue plane where hair follicles reside. This process creates tiny injuries in the scalp tissue, triggering the body’s natural healing response, releasing growth factors and increasing blood flow to the area. As a result, the revitalized blood supply can restore shrunken hair follicles to their normal size, helping to regrow new hair, thicken existing hair, and encourage growth in areas where hair has previously fallen out,” he explains.
“These procedures provide a natural way to slow the aging process,” says Rosenman, “and keep you looking great at your current age.”
“This new phase of life should be celebrated rather than feared.” — Dr. Sam DuFlo