The Real Cougar Woman

Cougar Women Are Proud Of The Label

Even though cougar women come in all varieties, even Hollywood stars, being called a ‘cougar’ is often seen as being derogatory.  But we already knew that right?  That's why together we are working to change the label - and I'm thrilled to report it's working.

Now it seems that women have no objection to being labelled as a cougar and wear it as a badge of honor.

Nearly three out of four women said they wouldn’t be offended if they were called by the name.  And, men also find it more than acceptable to be seen out with a much older woman.

A survey of dating tastes revealed that 85 per cent of men said it was becoming more acceptable to romance older women.

Almost a third of men who took part in the survey said they had gone out with a woman 10 to 20 years older than them.

Cougar Relationships - Are They Just About Sex & Money?

Hormonally, as men approach age 30 their levels of testosterone begin to decline. The ratio of estrogen relative to testosterone in a man is higher, which is one reason older men seek out younger women whose estrogen level more closely matches theirs. As women get older, they have less concern about pregnancy and their libido increases, which makes them a better match hormonally with younger men who have increased testosterone levels. 

 

Many women tell me they had unfulfilled sexual lives when they were married. Child rearing, career, taking care of the home and hubby leave them exhausted. Those who were married young without the experience of varied sexual partners and not having an exciting married sex life can contribute to their wanting to experience something they feel they have missed out on, and some of them find this experience with a younger man. Keep in mind, however, that 90% of women are looking for relationship as opposed to a one night stand or friends with benefits.

 

In truth, many of the younger men tell me they are not happy in how the media portrays them; horny, bumbling frat boys trying to lose their virginity. I know doctors, lawyers, engineers, MBAs and other professionals  who are looking for a meaningful relationship.

Breast Cancer Update - The Bottom Line

I have received so many emails and telephone calls from patients expressing concern over taking hormone replacement therapy.  This was after a new report was published in JAMA, “ Estrogen Plus Provera and Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women”. 

The study drew much attention from just about every TV news broadcast station as well as major national newspapers.  The report was a further analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative ( WIH) randomized study of postmenopausal women taking Premarin plus Provera, Premarin alone or placebo. 

They found that after 11 years of followup, women taking Premarin and Provera had an increased risk compared to those taking placebo of invasive breast cancer (0.42% vs 0.34% per year) and death attributable to breast cancer (0.026% vs 0.013%).   This is actually about one more invasive breast cancer per 1,000 women per year and a little over one more death per 10,000 women per year. 

This adds fuel to the fire---that women should only consider HRT for severe, unbearable symptoms only for the shortest period of time or better yet don’t take HRT at all.  Again, all HRT is lumped into the same category ignoring the fact that not all hormones are equal. 

Cougar's Most Flattering Fall Hair Colors

Now that fall is officially here, it’s time to rethink your hair color. You wouldn't want to wear the same shade of lipstick you wore when you were sporting a tan, and it's the same with hair color What looked great last summer might not look as good now that your tan is a distant memory and the sun isn’t shining quite so brightly. So whether you’re a blonde, brunette or redhead, check out the options below. They’re guaranteed to warm things up now that there’s a chill in the air.

A Taste of Honey

A warm shade of honey, caramel or cinnamon works well on any skin tone, but you’ll want to follow these guidelines: Honey works best on hair that’s light blonde or a medium shade of brown, caramel adds dimension to hair that’s medium brown to brunette, while cinnamon spices up darker brunette shades. Movie stars wearing these look include Gabrielle Union, Angelina Jolie and Eva Mendes. Many brunettes find that their skin tone is too dark to go blonde, and that’s where these shades come in—the lighter color instantly brightens skin tone.

Cheating - Why Do Men Find It Harder To Forgive?

Cheating - it's never good but men find it incredibly difficult to forgive and forget if their woman has betrayed them. If you're a woman who is thinking about confessing about an indiscretion, the explosion of anger and grief that will follow, is probably worse than you imagine.  

While infidelity has traditionally been regarded as a masculine trait, an increasing number of women are cheating on their husbands. Financial equality plus more time spent at work are fueling this role reversal.

It wasn't so long ago that women would  have felt obliged to stick at an ailing marriage, these days they don't feel so compelled to stay. 

A surge in power may have propelled women to be unfaithful but the male attitude isn't changing quite so fast.  For a betrayed man, it's a slight against his manhood.

Cougar Women Know "The 5 Risks" Endangering Their Financial Future

Finance is not a popular topic for women.  Real Cougars are the exception.  If you ask a woman “what is the biggest risk to her financial portfolio?”  the answer most likely wil be market volatility. She believes that if the stock market is doing okay then she has nothing to worry about.  

Market risk is what business news shows, magazines and newspapers focus their attention on.  Unfortunately, market risk is not the only risk that needs to be managed. 

There are 5 other risks that must be taken into consideration to ensure that you protect you and your family from financial sabotage.  I call them the 5 D's:-

• Disability
• Dementia
• Death
• Destruction
• Divorce

Most women, and men too, find the thought of one or more of these 5 D’s depressing and avoid it like the plague.  Like so many things in life, ignoring something does not mean that it won’t happen. 

Kim Kardashian Wasn't Happy With Botox. Facial Exercises Work Better

Kim Kardashian was complaining in the news that Botox injections around her eyes left her bruised and she's wasn't happy with the results. Kim is not alone; the website Cosmetic Surgery Bible has researched the industry and discovered that only 37% of those surgically enhanced subjects polled liked their results.

Even cosmetic filler injections that plump and paralyze do not always provide the look of youthfulness that you desire.. And, Real Cougar Women know plastic surgery regrets are rampant these days.   

This is stunning news that makes one wonder why, if the odds of disliking a procedure is so great, is it worth the pain, risk and expense?

Cougar Women Rocked At The More ReInvention Convention

Yesterday was a great day.  The 2010 More ReInvention Convention at Chelsea Piers in NYC was packed with fabulous females, all there to bond and to find answers on how to successfully handle Act Two of their lives.  

Over 500 women gathered to hear Christiane Amanpour, Anna Quindlen. Lee Woodruff,  Lynn Sherr, Lesley Jane Seymour and other accomplished women share their stories and tips on reinvention.  

I was lucky enough to have interviewed several of these great speakers, which certainly made my day. It was fun to give each one my 5-carat diamond key chain which they loved, especially when I told them a Real Cougar Woman is a brilliant and timeless as a 5-carat diamond. They all agreed and a few admitted they had dated younger men and fondly remember those relationships.

Cougar Women Want To Know About Breast Thermography

Recently I saw a patient in my office for her annual exam and she expressed some not so uncommon concerns.  “I’m confused.  I’ve been hearing a lot about thermograms.  What is this?  Can I just do that and forget about a mammogram?

What is breast thermography and how does it differ from a mammogram?

Breast thermography, also known as Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is based on detecting heat produced by increased blood vessel circulation and metabolic activity associated with breast inflammation and tumors.   It uses ultrasensitive medical infrared cameras and computers to detect, analyze and produce high resolution images of these temperature variations.  It involves no radiation or discomfort and the procedure is non-invasive. 

Thermography only provides a physiologic marker that some abnormality is present in the breast.  It can detect a precancerous state of the breast up to 10 years before a cancerous tumor is found by any other method.

Cougar Women Ask Why Their Man Won't Commit

He is cute.  He is smart.  And, his family loves you.  He’s had his share of arm candy, crazies and bubbleheads, and according to you, your girlfriends and your gay entourage he should be ready for the “M” word. It’s a great theory, but doesn’t always equate when it comes to the male mind. 

There are a few reasons that men won’t commit. Admittedly, the reasons are not always easy to hear, but they are definitely important to know when you are out there trying to navigate the crazy and confusing world of men. Reasons SOME men won’t commit: 

The Grass Is Always Greener.  This is harsh, and the answer is a blameless one. Some men believe it’s genetically unnatural to commit. Men have a subconscious instinctive desire to sleep with as many women as possible in order to propagate the species. The men, who continue to exhibit this behavior, have not been socialized into a monogamous way of thinking.

Sex ISN’T Enough.  Great physical chemistry with a woman does not command monogamous behavior from a guy. Great sex, attraction and desire are NOT the ties that bind a man to a woman.