Women on TikTok are calling perimenopause ‘cougar puberty'. Here's why
Perimenopause, also known as the menopausal transition, marks the body's natural shift towards the end of reproductive years, typically in a woman's mid-forties.
Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes, which some women liken to a 'second puberty'.
TikTok users have shared videos endorsing 'cougar puberty' as a more accurate and relatable name for the experience.
The term is gaining traction as it resonates with women who feel the symptoms are akin to a reverse or second puberty, with some also applying it to menopause itself.
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Scotsman
34 minutes ago
- Scotsman
how to fix your dreaded office butt'
Sitting all day isn't just uncomfortable — it could be quietly harming your body 💺 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A viral TikTok trend has spotlighted the rise of a condition dubbed 'office butt' Research shows most UK desk workers lack proper ergonomic support and movement Millions of office workers spend long hours sitting, risking joint pain and muscle issues Awareness of poor posture's impact is growing, with online searches surging dramatically Experts warn this widespread problem could lead to lasting discomfort and mobility loss A new viral TikTok clip has shone a light on the growing problem of 'office butt' — a condition caused by prolonged sitting that's affecting more UK workers than ever. The term refers to gluteal amnesia, or 'dead butt syndrome,' where the muscles around the backside essentially switch off due to inactivity. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With over one in four UK adults spending five or more hours sitting at a desk daily, experts warn this sedentary lifestyle is contributing to poor posture, joint pain, and reduced mobility. And now, research from AXA Health insurance - which surveyed 2,000 UK adults - has found a startling lack of ergonomic awareness among desk workers. An overwhelming 89% admitted they do not use a supportive office chair, and 81% don't stretch regularly. (Photo: Pexels) | Pexels Even more concerning, 74% don't exercise frequently enough to counteract the effects of sitting — factors that collectively worsen musculoskeletal health. The TikTok video, which has racked up over 730,000 views, shows an office worker taking hourly 'squat breaks' to activate muscles and improve posture, sparking a surge in online searches for 'office chair butt' by 373% in just one month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Comments from viewers reveal many regret not taking action sooner, with one sharing, 'I developed sciatica from muscle loss from extended sitting and developed the dreaded office butt. I am still in pain and wish I started this sooner!' Bethany Tomlinson, Musculoskeletal Clinical Service Manager at AXA Health and a physiotherapist with over 25 years' experience, explains why this is a serious problem. She says: 'Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to gluteal amnesia, where the glute muscles essentially switch off due to inactivity. This inactivity reduces production of synovial fluid, which is crucial for joint health. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'When your glutes aren't regularly activated, your hips, knees, and lower back compensate — often leading to joint pain and stiffness.' Office workers, in particular, are at risk. Over a third spend seven or more hours a day at their desks, yet 72% don't have a supportive chair, and only 30% report exercising regularly. This combination sets the stage for increased discomfort and potential long-term damage. To help combat this, Bethany has offered her expert tips to avoid the 'office butt' and its negative effects: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Move at least once every hour 'Trends like 'squat breaks' on TikTok highlight an important point - that regular movement matters. 'Taking just 1-2 minutes every hour to stand up, stretch, or activate key muscle groups can help restore blood flow and stimulate synovial fluid production in the joints. 'Going for a walk before your working day, on your lunch break or after work, where possible, or utilising a standing desk are great ways to reduce sitting time. 'If you travel to work, try getting off one stop earlier or parking further away to add more walking and stimulate joint circulation before sitting down'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make changes to your chair 'A lumbar cushion supports the natural curve of the back and promotes good posture. It often comes with a strap to attach to the back portion of your office chair. 'A seatpad is also a great option and is suited for those looking for additional support for the bottom of their back, as it reduces pressure on the coccyx and sciatic nerve and encourages hip alignment to support the spine. 'An ergonomic chair will often have adjustable features, such as the degree to which it is upright. These chairs are specifically designed to support the back during long periods of sitting and allow you to sit at a 90° hip-knee-ankle angle, reducing stiffness over time'. Adjust your screen level 'It's important to ensure your computer or laptop screen is positioned at eye level. If it's too low or too high, your neck will be angled for extended periods, which can lead to stiffness in the neck and shoulders, and even long-term joint issues. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To avoid this, align your screen so that when you're looking straight ahead, your eyes are directly in line with the top of the screen. 'This encourages a natural 90° posture, helping to reduce strain on your neck and shoulders. This should also apply for standing desks'. Incorporate strength and mobility 'In your weekly exercise routine, incorporate strength-training exercises to build resilience in your glutes, hips and core. 'This will help to counteract the effects of sitting, as simple exercises including squats, lunges, glute bridges and clamshells will restore balance and strengthen muscles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's also important to do mobility-focused movement to loosen joints, including neck and hip circles, and shoulder and ankle rolls, which you can even do sitting at your desk'. Are you job-hunting? To view thousands of roles available right now, visit the JobsToday website.
Reuters
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Report: Jerry Jones fought stage 4 cancer battle for over decade
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Woman who refused to eat for the first decade of her life choked on her own vomit, inquest hears
A woman who refused to eat for the first decade of her life choked on her own vomit, an inquest heard. Tia-Mae McCarthy, 21, baffled doctors as a child with her refusal to eat, surviving on tube feeds until she was a teenager. Her case drew national attention and was the subject of a 2006 TV documentary, The Girl Who Never Ate, which followed her mother Sue's search for answers. The 21-year-old from Fordingbridge, Hampshire, was born 12 weeks premature and weighing just 2lb 3oz, spent much of her first year in hospital. She was diagnosed with oesophageal atresia, a rare condition where the foodpipe does not connect to the stomach. She underwent surgery at three months old to move her stomach into her chest. Although the surgery meant she was physically capable of eating, she refused all food and had to be fed through a tube while she slept. Her mother, Susan McCarthy, believed it was psychological, linked to repeated medical trauma in her early months when she stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated. Then, at the age of ten, she suddenly accepted a spoonful of yoghurt – the start of a remarkable transformation that saw her ditch her feeding tube by the end of 2012. By 15, she was eating a full diet, from mac and cheese to salmon and venison. But she was found unresponsive in bed at her family home on April 28 this year. An inquest in Bournemouth heard the oesophageal surgery she had as a baby left her at lifelong risk of aspiration, food or liquid entering the airway, which could 'happen at any time'. The inquest heard she had a 'rattly' cough for about a week before her death. In a statement read to the court, her mother said her daughter had developed a cough about a week before her death, which was not unusual for her. She added: 'We were planning to go on holiday. 'On Sunday, I noticed her cough was a bit rattly. I was with Tia all day on Sunday - we went out for a coffee. 'She was really bright and cheery and enjoyed her time at the riding club. 'I messaged Jason (Tia's stepfather) and asked if Tia was OK, he told me she was still croaky. 'I messaged Tia to see if she was OK, and she replied to say yes, and this was the last time I had communication with her.' Her step-father, Jason Allman, had propped her up with extra pillows the night before she died to help her cough and breathing. The mother said she went upstairs the following day and discovered her daughter unresponsive in bed with the covers off, and realised she had died. Her step-father, Jason Allman, had propped her up with extra pillows the night before she died to help her cough and breathing. A post-mortem found vomit in the main and peripheral airways, with stomach fluid and remnants of the mac and cheese she had for dinner the night before. While Tia did have other disabilities, there was no medical reason after the surgery why she could not eat food and her case baffled the experts. Tia was featured in the documentary in which her mother took her to a specialist clinic in Austria. The controversial research programme even included periods of controlled starvation. Tia had other learning difficulties, which meant she could not live independently, and she still lived at home with her mother. She enjoyed riding and attended an adult day centre. In a police statement read to the court, officers said there were no suspicious circumstances and praised the care Ms McCarthy received from her family, saying: 'We attend a lot of vulnerable people - Tia was incredibly well supported and cared for by her mother and stepfather.' Recording his conclusion, Mr Allen said: 'I am satisfied on the basis of the circumstances that the cause of death is gastro-oesophageal aspiration. 'Tia-Mae McCarthy had a past medical condition which left her at increased risk of aspiration. She died as a consequence of a recognised risk factor of a previous surgical procedure.'
