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Mysteries of the Female Body

What to do about painful sex a busy bladder and more

Why do women's feet grow larger as they age? Travis Rathbone A survey of some of the very human and vaguely that plague women. And just to be fair, we have a men's edition, too.

1 If the shoe won t fit go shopping

After years of faithful service, your go-to pumps are now squishing your toes. The reason: Your feet can get flatter and wider as you age or if you've gained weight, says Georgeanne Botek, head of podiatry at the Cleveland Clinic. If you're like many women, your feet may have already gotten longer during your first pregnancy. Now they are spreading out. Bunions, calluses and corns can also change the size and shape of your feet — plus cause pain. Try this... Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Start over. Have your feet measured for size and choose new shoes that offer support, padding and room for your tender toes. Insert here. If sturdy shoes don't ease your foot pain, you may need shoe inserts to realign your feet. A podiatrist can fit you for customized inserts, but even store-bought ones can help. Act now if. Your feet suddenly look markedly different. If one is swollen or red, this could be a sign of a stress fracture or circulation issues. What women can do to alleviate pain during sex. Kyle Hilton

2 When getting busy gets awkward

Sex has gone from exciting to excruciating. The reason: declining estrogen levels. The hormone is needed for arousal, vaginal lubrication and elasticity, which is why many women experience after menopause, says gynecologist Lauren Streicher, author of Sex Rx: Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever. Try this... Lubricate. If you're lacking moisture, help things along with a silicone lubricant. Go local. A low dose of estrogen — delivered to your vaginal lining via a cream, ring or suppository — restores tissues without the risks of systemic hormone replacement therapy. Check out this med. Talk to your doctor about Osphena, a nonhormonal oral drug that acts on the estrogen receptors in the vagina. Use laser focus. The MonaLisa Touch is a CO2-laser treatment that rejuvenates vaginal tissue. It's costly — up to $3,000 for three treatments — and may require a yearly booster. Act now if: You have unusual bleeding. It could mean ovarian or cervical cancer. What women can do about overactive bladder issues. Travis Rathbone AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Put the squeeze on. Kegel exercises aren't just for new moms. When you feel the urge to urinate, quickly squeeze and release your pelvic floor muscles several times in a row (imagine you're trying to stop your flow). This will decrease urgency and give you more time to get to the bathroom. "It's important not to strain your abdominal muscles at the same time," Griebling says. Play diet detective. Give up bladder-irritating triggers like caffeine, carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus fruits and spicy foods. Then reintroduce them one at a time to see if your symptoms come back. Act now if: Lifestyle changes haven't worked. Next step: medications to relax the bladder, Botox injections or surgery. Hormone changes can cause spider veins in women as they age. Kyle Hilton

4 The grim colorful march of nature s doodles

Red and purple squiggles are cropping up on your skin. The reason: telangiectasias, aka spider veins. That's when tiny blood vessels near the skin's surface dilate and become visible to the naked eye. Heredity is the biggest cause. Having fair skin also puts you at risk, says New York dermatologist Diane Berson, as do hormone changes and prolonged exposure to sun and wind. Studies suggest that long-term use of birth control pills might contribute, too. Go figure. Try this... Stick it to them. In sclerotherapy, a dermatologist injects veins with a chemical solution that causes them to collapse. You might need a few sessions at several hundred dollars each; insurance usually won't pay for cosmetic treatments. Zap them away. Laser treatments send short bursts of light into a vein to make it disappear. Warning: The veins can come back later. Act now if: You notice a thick, bulgy varicose vein. Your doc may recommend lifestyle changes (exercise, compression stockings) as well as meds or surgery. Helpful solutions to issues with sleeping well. Travis Rathbone

5 The sweet distant dream of sleeping through the night

Hot flashes may be keeping you up — and insomnia can actually get worse after menopause. The reason: Various age-related ailments can lead to , and so can the medicines we take for them, says internist and sleep-medicine specialist Raj Dasgupta, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Depression is linked to insomnia, for example, but the drugs we prescribe for it — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — can also cause insomnia." Try this... Sleep in a cave. Get blackout shades for your bedroom, cover power lights on electronics and dim your clock's display. Keep your room at a cool 60 to 65 degrees, which can help fend off hot flashes. Ban gadgets in bed. The blue light from your smartphone or tablet screen suppresses melatonin, the sleep-inducing hormone. A study in the journal PNAS showed that people who read print books right before bed slept better than those who read e-books on a tablet. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS