Thefulfilledpharmacist_'s Midlife Health Collection on LTK

Midlife Health

By Thefulfilledpharmacist_

All of my favorites to feel your healthiest best in midlife

Kinda Chic-to finally figure out how to manage menopause symptoms.

I had a hysterectomy over 11 years ago which left me feeling exhausted, inflamed and not myself.

At 61, I’m feeling better than I ever have in the past.

Here’s what changed:

✨ I started looking at added fillers in foods and swapped my pea protein for @designsforsport beef protein with fewer additives and naturally occurring collagen. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin and hair and less bloating too.

✨ I started listening to my own body and not everyone else.

Long fasting was very on trend when I entered menopause but it’s not for me. A simple 12–14 hour overnight reset fits my body’s natural rhythm. This has helped reduce cortisol and leaves me more energized and not so stressed and shaky. I’ve noticed a lot of health professionals here going with this plan too.

This also includes eating a more keto diet with limited fiber. Fiber is essential for balancing hormones and gut health. Now I look forward to adding in vegetables and I also add in flax at breakfast.

✨ I stopped chasing 10,000 steps every day and started prioritizing strength training . Building muscle has become one of the best investments I’ve made for healthy aging for bone and muscle health. I am finally seeing a shift in my body even though I haven’t lost weight due to body recompositioning.

✨ I no longer apologize for rest and sleep and have a sleep routine that works for me with magnesium, melatonin and magnesium lotion.

Yes… I do see a naturopathic physician to keep my hormones balanced too!

These swaps may not be right for everyone, but they’ve made a tremendous difference for me.

What’s one health swap you’ve made that’s helped you feel your best? I’d love to hear it in the comments.

Follow along here @thefulfilledpharmacist for more evidence-informed tips to help you look and feel your best in your 50s, 60s, and beyond.

#LTKOver40 #LTKselfcare

Simple hacks to avoid what affects 40% of people while traveling… Constipation! 🤦‍♀️

✨A change in location can affect your gut micro biome. Be sure to travel with a probiotic to keep your gut flora on track.

✨Sitting for long periods during travel times can affect gut motility. Walk if you can after meals, it’s great for balancing blood sugar too!

✨The stress of travel can have an effect on the gut . Magnesium helps with sleep, digestion and keeping things moving.

Working on adjusting to time zones, choosing high fiber foods ,a probiotic , magnesium digestive enzymes and getting steps are all helpful. @mineralmoon has a digestive enzyme with senna for a bit of extra support.

Be sure to save this post for future reference and follow @thefulfilledpharmacist for more pharmacist inspired posts.

This post is informational only and not medical advice, please consult a medical professional before starting any supplement routine. ❤️

Traveling in menopause?

Pack these first! As a pharmacist, I know what we pack on vacation in menopause can make or break how we feel when vacationing.

Stripes Beauty has you covered!

✨ The Full Monty Body Oil with Vitamin C for a gorgeous summer glow.

✨Vag of Honor Hydrating gel for comfort and hydration. Feminine dryness in menopause can cause irritation, overactive bladder and recurrent UTIs, something no one wants on vacation!

✨The Cool Factor- calming and cooling facial mist- enough said- we all could use a little spritz when our internal temperature turns up while we are out and about!

Follow along and stay tuned for more pharmacist tips to feel your best on vacation and all year long!

#LTKselfcare #LTKOver40 #LTKTravel

Over 50% of women will experience this in menopause and if using a GLP-1 , this is even more frustrating!

After counseling patients on constipation for 38 years, these are the supplements I wish more women in menopause (and GLP-1 users) knew about.

If you’re taking fiber, drinking plenty of water, and using a probiotic but still struggling to stay regular, this may be why…

Fluctuating hormones can cause over 50% of women to experience constipation during menopause ( decreased progesterone can slow down colon muscles and decreased estrogen also slows down GI transit) and GLP-1 medications can make it even worse.

Here’s what I suggest:

✨ Magnesium- A menopause essential. Magnesium can support relaxation, sleep, and help keep things moving naturally.

✨ Digestive Enzymes-

As we age, digestion changes. Digestive enzymes may help support digestion, reduce bloating, and improve regularity. @mineralmoon has a digestive enzyme blend that also contains senna for those times you need extra support.

✨ Prebiotics

Think of these as food for your probiotics. Without enough prebiotic fiber, your probiotic may not work as effectively. @nationhealthmd has a great prebiotic with XOS, artichoke root, chicory root and apple pectin.

Lisa15 https://www.nationhealthmd.com/lisa

Before reaching for another laxative, make sure you’ve addressed the foundations first.

This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting new supplements.

Comment Shop for my favorite supplements to alleviate constipation.

#LTKselfcare #LTKOver40

Midlife ladies-don’t pass by these 3 pharmacy products . I recommend them all of the time!

✨ Fluctuating estrogen can cause more migraine headaches. BC powders or Goody’s powders absorb right into your bloodstream alleviating headaches quickly. I gave up using migraine medications several years ago after being introduced to these powders.

✨ Decreased estrogen can also increase muscle aches and soreness. Theraworx with magnesium and herbs make this product a winner.

✨Our collagen decreases by 50% in our 50’s. If you are like me and forget to use collagen powders, check out Biosil with CH- OSA that allows your body to produce its own collagen.

✨Bonus- Prelief- I get such positive feedback on this product that helps reduce acid and is helpful for overactive bladder, painful bladder and digestive issues.

This post is informational only and not medical advice. Check with a medical professional before starting any new supplement routine.

Follow along for more pharmacist inspired midlife and menopause information!

#LTKselfcare #LTKOver40

I am a pharmacist, these are the beauty and wellness products I’m obsessed with right now to feel more like 41 than 61!

✨The entire Kopari clean beauty line including the SPF 50 mineral sunscreen. It’s lightly tinted and goes on SO smoothly!!

✨Aluma Botanics Botanical oils plump my skin and make me feel like I have had Botox when I haven’t! Scrubstudiosoaps.com

✨ My Nira laser to boost collagen and full time lines and wrinkles.
LISAKING10

✨ My magnesium and collagen lotion from @glowbyhormoneuniversity allows me to sleep like a baby!

Follow along for more pharmacist recommendations and midlife information!

#LTKselfcare #LTKOver40 #LTKBeauty

The Viral Pepcid and Allegra trend in Menopause and the natural alternatives for ladies who want that too!

In perimenopause, estrogen doesn’t decline in a smooth straight line. It fluctuates A LOT!

Those hormone swings can activate mast cells , cells in your body which release histamine.

And histamine symptoms coupled with menopause symptoms can cause:

anxiety
flushing
insomnia
headaches
racing heart
reflux
bladder urgency
bloating

At the same time, progesterone often drops first, losing some of its calming effect on the nervous system and mast cells.

It has been a recent trend for women to use antihistamines like Allegra or Zyrtec which crosses the blood brain barrier but may cause drowsiness and H2 blockers like Pepcid to manage symptoms.

There can absolutely be a time and place for medications, however; If you are looking for a natural approach that may help support histamine balance and mast cell stability:

Check out quercetin-often thought of as a natural antihistamine and a great antioxidant and helpful for inflammation too. It’s a great overall midlife supplement.

Ginger also helps block histamine , has a soothing GI effect but not lowering stomach acid which can affect the absorption of nutrients. You can easily incorporate this into a tea or look into capsules.

Many women do not realize the correlation between histamine and midlife.

Be sure to check with a medical professional to see if any of these options are right for you!

I learned this bladder pain hack from my mom and grandmother, not in pharmacy school!

Baking soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate)in water is an old time remedy for antacid use .

When I was younger and experienced bladder pain ( I do have a painful bladder- Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis) , my mom would always give me baking soda in water, she learned this from her mom too!

Many women can also experience symptoms of overactive bladder after eating acidic foods like oranges, tomatoes , tomato sauce or coffee. Prelief is a fantastic supplement to help reduce acid in foods.

However; in a pinch or to alleviate bladder pain , you can try baking soda in water- per package instructions.

Caution with high blood pressure and check with your doctor to see if this is right for you ( also be sure to check that you do not have a UTI).

Be sure to pass this along to someone who may want to see this too and comment Shop if you want to check out Prelief as well ( it’s now considered a medical food for those with a painful bladder diagnosis).

#LTKOver40 #LTKselfcare

$Ladies let’s have some real talk. I’m a pharmacist, and I’m all for over-the-counter options. I’ve recently seen these Over the Counter Products shared here on Instagram… I would never share without letting you know these warnings first. ✨ Nasal decongestant sprays- can cause rebound congestion if used beyond a few days. I’ve seen patients take YEARS to be able to come off of these medications due to congestion and then needing to continue medications. ✨ OTC sleep aids - these may lead to next-day grogginess and are on the BEERS list for medications not appropriate for seniors due to confusion, possible falls or bleeding. More importantly I stopped taking these years ago myself as they aren’t ideal for long-term cognitive health. ✨ OTC products for digestion and reducing stomach acid- can impact nutrient absorption over time when used regularly. They can also be linked to risk of bone fractures. None of these are “bad” products but just should be used under the supervision of a medical professional within a certain time frame. This is the kind of information I believe should always come with recommendations and sometimes the those sharing these products do not know the full story. Check out my favorite alternatives here! #healthyaging #pharmacistrecommended #healthyover50 #LTKselfcare #LTKOver40$

Only 9% of women fill this prescription… and it directly treats one of the most common menopause symptoms.

Menopausal women are skipping one of the most effective treatments for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)…

In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that among women over 65, only 9% filled a prescription for vaginal estrogen. Which is interesting because GSM symptoms often worsen over time

As a pharmacist, I see this hesitation across all age groups for women dealing with:

• Dryness

• Burning

• Pain with intimacy

• Recurrent UTIs

• Bladder urgency

…while avoiding a treatment that directly targets the problem.

Here’s what’s happening:

Menopause lowers estrogen in vaginal tissue, leading to thinning, irritation, and changes in the microbiome (GSM).

✨ Vaginal estrogen works locally where it’s needed

✨ Systemic absorption is minimal and dose-dependent

✨ Absorption may be slightly higher at first, then decreases as tissue improves

✨ Different formulations (creams, tablets, rings) offer options depending on preference

So why the hesitation?

Many women are told—or assume:

• “It absorbs like hormone therapy” (it doesn’t in the same way)

• “It’s messy” (some options are much easier to use)

• “I’m already on estrogen” (systemic therapy often doesn’t fully treat GSM)

This isn’t about “more hormones”, it is about treating specific symptoms, the right way.

This is a conversation worth having with your healthcare provider—especially as guidance continues to evolve, even for women with more complex histories.

This post is educational only, not medical advice.

If vaginal estrogen isn’t for you, comment Shop and I’ll share pharmacist-recommended options to support GSM symptoms.

#LTKOver40 #LTKselfcare

One of the biggest things I’ve struggled with in menopause was thinning hair.

As a pharmacist, I’m often asked what my favorite collagen powder is.

Hands down nothing I tried has improved my hair like using grass fed beef protein daily that is rich in natural collagen .

Pictures here.. Before menopause 3 years ago and current!

#LTKOver40 #LTKselfcare

It’s not just skincare—this is what actually influences how you age after 50 (based on science).

If you’re over 50, the conversation is often focused on products and treatments ( and YES, I am a beauty gal - I love them too)!

But from a science standpoint, aging is being driven by deeper processes.

As a pharmacist—and at 60—these are the primary factors I focus on:

1. Ultraviolet (UV) exposure

Chronic UV exposure is the leading external contributor to photoaging, including collagen degradation, elastin breakdown, and pigment changes.

I am in Arizona so it’s sunscreen daily and I avoid the sun as much as possible.

2. Collagen

Collagen production declines with age and more rapidly after menopause due to reduced estrogen .

Supporting collagen synthesis is important. Like me and forget to add collagen powder into your routine? Try @biosil_beauty it helps your body make its own collagen. Honestly, nothing has helped my hair and skin more than my grass fed beef protein ( naturally high in collagen ) . I’ve been using for about 2 years now.

I also like my @nira.skin laser for increasing collagen too! Lisaking10

3. Muscle and metabolic health

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle (sarcopenia) and impaired glucose regulation both influence overall aging.

Muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, and sleep quality are all associated with visible aging outcomes.

Especially since turning 60, I’m focusing more and more on the benefits of muscle building without just randomly exercising without a true purpose.

The body truly is amazing and aging strongly truly comes from the inside out.

How are you approaching it? I would love to hear!

Check out a few of my favorite healthy aging favorites here!

#HealthyAging #MidlifeHealth #Pharmacistrecommended

#LTKselfcare #LTKOver40