WTF is menopause mouth?

And man, they’re judgmental.

For anyone who spent middle school thumbing through the dELiA*s catalog (enjoy the trip down memory lane), the return of toxic body standards feels familiar. But unlike ’90s “butter moms” (not to be confused with “almond moms”) its comeback isn’t nearly as fun. 

Those rules — on how we dressed, looked, and took up space — were tighter than the rigid denim of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s favorite jeans and as uncomfortable as her headbands-from-hell.

For some of us who lived through it the first time, the return of skinny culture understandably feels like a hard pass. That includes one popular ‘90s/’00s artist who recently stepped away from music after people wouldn’t stop commenting on how her body looks now. Can’t say we blame her. 

But here’s the thing. We’re not 14 anymore. We can hold more nuance. Our bodies change. Our thinking can, too. These mindset shifts can help you cut through the noise:

• Find the reframe. “Body positivity” can feel like a stretch on hard days, while “body neutrality” or acceptance leave more room for reality. We like how Megababe Beauty founder Katie Sturino explores that idea in her Substack, Lobby Coffee. 

• Get clear on the context. Today’s shrinking society is largely being fueled by ubiquitous and oddly hush-hush GLP-1 usage. Health, access, privilege, and perception are all part of this conversation and help explain the tension people are feeling online and IRL right now.

• Normalize change. Bodies aren’t static. The more you understand how yours might shift, especially in your late 30s and 40s, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate changes as they come.

— Anna “Where’s My Bra-Strap Headband” Davies, writer 

Oncologists are warning about this common air fryer mistake that could affect your cancer risk — and a lot of people make it.

A buzzy sexual wellness founder was sentenced to nine years in prison. Pretty sure Shonda Rhimes is gonna want this backstory.

Attention eldest daughters: Therapists say this habit may harm your happiness.

There's no one best sleep position... but science says some are better than others for breathing easy.

After Easter, can you eat your leftover dyed eggs? To devil, or not to devil.

We could have sworn these 11 foods had more protein. Seriously, number five?

For most people under 60, cholesterol tends to live in the “deal with it later” category of health concerns, somewhere near bifocals and finding an active adult community. But new guidelines suggest it should be on your radar decades earlier than you might think. 

When the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology updated their cholesterol recommendations recently, they shifted the focus from treatment to prevention. So instead of waiting for a problem to show up, the goal is to spot risk earlier and get ahead of it.

Remind me, what’s cholesterol again? It’s a fat-like substance in your blood that your body needs to function. Cholesterol helps protect cells, supports hormone production, and plays a role in digestion. It travels as LDL and HDL — two types that do very different things. Too much can build up in your arteries and raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Right, but isn’t one bad and one kinda good? Sort of. LDL can deposit cholesterol in your arteries — that’s where trouble starts. HDL helps carry it back to your liver.

Easy way to remember: LDL = “lousy.” But HDL isn’t a free pass. What matters is the full picture, your total cholesterol and overall risk profile.

Isn’t it tied to your weight? Not necessarily. Genetics play a big role. Hormones do, too. That’s why cholesterol can shift during perimenopause — even if nothing else changes.

What can I do about it? Start with your numbers. The new recommendations support earlier, more direct intervention. That can include medications like statins. New treatments also show promise.

For Your Sanity:

• Know your options. If your doctor recommends treatment, ask questions. Some people still base decisions on outdated information. Leave with a clear plan and a clear timeline to retest.

• Lead with your heart. Diet and movement matter. A heart-healthy routine can help lower cholesterol. These foods and drinks can help, and we love seeing number eight on the list.

• Check your kid’s, too. New recommendations call for all children in this age range to get screened. Your doctor may suggest earlier testing if your family has a history.

Biohackers are cheering. Peptides, once a niche obsession for people who overuse the word optimize, are firmly in the spotlight. 

Because of the internet, anyone with the will and Wi-Fi (*cough* Silicon Valley bros) could get peptides to support things like muscle growth and recovery or skin health. But thanks to FDA restrictions imposed in 2023, the substances have lived in a kind of gray market — sold online in bundled “stacks” with vague claims, little transparency, and quality that can vary.

Now, that could change. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to loosen restrictions on around 14 peptides, which could allow them to be compounded (ie custom-made by a pharmacist rather than mass produced by a drug company) — and push them further into the mainstream.

He claims this could help cut down on black-market products. But medical professionals have mixed feelings. Rapid compound expansion would likely still mean less FDA oversight than traditional drug approvals. Not to mention, much of the peptide hype comes from anecdotal results, rather than large-scale clinical data. 

Bottom line: Peptides aren’t something to DIY — they’re something to run by a doctor first.

“Yes. Menopause is a transition marked by declining estrogen (and progesterone). Some women experience this gradually with milder symptoms, while others go through a more rapid shift, making side effects more noticeable and sometimes more severe.

Oral symptoms can include dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and itchy gums. A key driver is reduced salivary flow — estrogen helps stimulate salivary glands, and lower levels can also reduce blood flow to those glands, impairing their function. The result can be a persistent dry, sore, or sticky feeling in the mouth, throat, and on lips.

Reduced saliva also increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup, and symptoms can worsen over time.

First step: Tell your dentist. They can recommend over-the-counter products that support saliva production, like sugar-free lozenges or portable dry mouth sprays. Staying consistently hydrated is also key.

If symptoms persist, your dentist may prescribe a lipid-based option like Aquoral Dry Mouth Spray, which can last for several hours, even through meals.”

PS: Not pushing peri? There are a handful of vitamin deficiencies that could also lead to dry mouth. 

Frozen food is overdue for a rebrand. If you’re picturing a sad burrito or a mystery leftover, think again. Stock it right, and your freezer can deliver meals that are fast, satisfying, and actually nutritious. Frozen fruits and veggies deserve a PR boost, too. Because they’re usually flash-frozen at peak ripeness, they can hold onto their nutrients and are often cheaper and more convenient than fresh. Here’s how to turn your freezer into the kitchen superhero it is: 

• Begin with the basics. These six foods deserve regular real estate in your freezer (we’re surprised about number five). Oh, and  skip putting these foods in there. 

• Build out your rotation. A dietitian shares her nine frozen lunch picks from Trader Joe’s. 

• Keep a few just-in-case options on hand. This Costco favorite can save your sanity when visitors show up unexpectedly.

Feeling achy everywhere after running around all day? The culprit could be your shoes. These sneakers look cute and help protect your back.

Here’s the full list of the best shoes for back pain, according to experts.

Have a question, comment, or just want to be friends? Reach out to us at well@theskimm.com

Written by Anna Davies. Edited by Jordan Galloway and Kylie McConville.
Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone and Sara Tardiff.