How should you dress at 50? Topshop's Kate Phelan tells you how

The pursuit of individual and personal style becomes so much more important as you get older. When I look at my clothes at home, I don’t think my style has changed very much since my early 30s. That was when I settled on something. And if I could be 38 again, I don’t think I would dress any differently than I do now, at 50.

That said, some elements of the way I dress have been constant since I was a teenager, when I became obsessed with a Bruce Weber Vogue shoot based on Edward Weston and his women. I remember taking the magazine into Exeter to get my hair cut like the picture, then buying a fisherman’s jumper in a sailing shop. I bought a grey pencil skirt, dug out my school shoes and ankle socks, got my dad’s overcoat and got the look. I still dress like those pictures in a way.

There’s an abiding perception that the high street doesn’t serve older women very well, but in my view it’s better than it has ever been. The choice is huge – whether that’s Topshop, Uniqlo or Cos. It’s not one stop that gives you everything you want, more that everybody offers something very different.

Everyone also used to assume that the high street wasn’t very good quality, but that has really changed. It makes a big difference for a grown-up woman buying fashion. You’re looking for something that has a little bit of longevity – not just in terms of style but also physically lasting a little bit longer.

The key is to be true to yourself and confident about what you like. It’s not necessarily about what’s in fashion, it’s what you love for you and your style. I have never been comfortable in structured clothes, for example, and I accept that. I’m lazy in a way. I can’t wear high heels because I can’t walk fast enough in them. I like to feel I can move around and get everything done. I’m also not somebody who scrutinises every detail or seam, looking at the construction. I like clothes that give you the effect of what you want.

Jane Birkin in 1985. Photograph: Sipa/Rex/Shutterstock
Topshop’s Boutique label is a true reflection of what I love now. It’s where I would go for classics: a gorgeous khaki shirt, a camel coat. I think if you want to buy a camel coat, you should always be able to get one, regardless of season or trends. The same with a V-neck jumper and a white cotton shirt. It’s that simple approach to fashion that allows you to dress it up as much as you want, or dress it down. It still leaves a lot of it up to you.

If you start with a very classic approach to your clothes, you can add anything flamboyant to that. If you start the other way round, it’s much harder to tone it down afterwards. Start with the boring bit, then add to make it feel more relevant to what is going on in fashion.

When I was a 25-year-old fashion assistant, I used to look at a 40-year-old fashion editor and think they were ready for retirement, so serious in their Chanel suits and pearls and Manolo Blahniks. But women are loving fashion at all ages now, it’s cross-generational. Think of how jeans have become the norm. My mum wore jeans into her 70s but her mother would never have worn them. Now you can wear leopard print when you’re 60 but it doesn’t mean you look like Bet Lynch – unless you want to. And if you want to wear sequins, you can wear sequins.

I love seeing women like Jane Birkin who were so influential when they were young in what they wear, and they still are. Of course, there are compromises. You do have to be prepared for that thing that fashion does – when you fall in love with something and it feels absolutely perfect but they change it. It’s a bit like how you can’t get a Levi’s 501 to fit like an old Levi’s 501 because they’ve adapted the design. And you do have to age into your style, like Kate Moss has – retaining your style personality but moving it on so it becomes more relevant to the age you are.

I think, in the end, fashion is always about those little things that you discover. Margaret Howell did a really beautiful blue scarf for the Barbara Hepworth exhibition and I bought one because I loved it, but I had never really worn a scarf before. I was tying it round my neck thinking, “Oh, it feels really different, really grown up, to put a scarf on.” I quite liked that.

Smart v casual: the ultimate menswear style swap

Henry Lloyd-Hughes, actor
When people meet me in the flesh, they often seem disappointed that I don’t resemble Mark Donovan, the character I played in The Inbetweeners, a bit more closely. “Where is the French crop, where is the sportswear?” they think. Instead they find someone with a lifelong enthusiasm for dressing snappily – for men’s tailoring, militaria and exotic vintage. But sports casual not so much.

In fact my all-time fashion inspiration goes a bit like this: West Indies cricket teams of the 70s-80s. David Niven. David Hockney. Joe Strummer. Jack Nicholson. Chet Baker.

My clothes mean a lot to me; they have history. The more long-lived the item, the greater its ranking in the wardrobe. I’m thinking of a shabby Italian tweed jacket of my mum’s that I poached when I was 15. I remember being told I was dressed like a “young fogey”; I took it as a compliment, and never looked back.

Not that I don’t rock shiny new sportswear. I do – but normally sticking to a singular theme. I might be doing my best impression of a West Indian cricketer from the 70s, with bucket hat and wide collars, or Jamel Shabazz-era hip-hop style, high-tops and bomber jackets. Or more recently, travelling long haul, I might go full Nike Tech Fleece. What I don’t often do is cross the streams. I always want an outfit to feel complete.

Henry wears jacket by Baracuta, shirt by Fred Perry, sweatshirt by Sunspel, jeans by APC and trainers by Nike. Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Guardian
Perhaps it doesn’t help that I’m colourblind and often wear strongly contrasting colours, as they don’t confuse my eyes as much as blended tones. But in aiming to never be underdressed, I occasionally end up overdressed. Maybe swapping clothes with Elgar for a day or two will teach me to find the in between spaces, the levels between levels of dressing, like that hidden floor in Being John Malkovich.

When the outfits Elgar has chosen for me arrive, I get a warm sense of nostalgia; the brands and style feel familiar. The first outfit is APC jeans and a red tartan Fred Perry shirt, which fit very well, as does the navy Baracuta jacket with bright red lining. I have a flashback to owning two Baracuta jackets myself, but in lurid pink and neon yellow. In this incarnation I feel very blokey, and a little muted. My Air Force 1 trainers are a lone beacon of white in a sea of navy and grey.

The whole ensemble is not unflattering; I feel well put together, but a bit anonymous, as if I’m dressing to blend into a crowd, like an undercover cop.

Young fogey? I take that as a compliment
At lunch, my friend Jemima points out the almost matching shades of plaid on my Fred Perry shirt and my jacket lining. “I like the coordination between the collar and the jacket.” “Thanks,” I reply, grateful for a bit of early reassurance. But as always I’ve underestimated her French sarcasm. “I mean it’s too obvious,” she says. Ouch. “Your casualwear is more stylish,” she offers by way of comfort. “Is this normcore?” I ask the table. “You look more like the slick guy in a movie about football hooligans,” my friend Nikesh muses. I’ll take that… I think.

The one thing I hadn’t bargained for is the cold. My winter wardrobe is full of layers, shirts and cardigans tucked under thick coats and blazers. I feel very exposed in my lightweight jacket. I resolve to dig out an old fishtail parka for the rest of the day. It’s kind of sports casual, so I hope it’s not cheating.

On day two I wear my second outfit – a blue-grey Adidas Spezial Beckenbauer tracksuit – to the football. It’s a warmer affair, thanks to the Stone Island x Nike coat that comes with it. To my surprise, the outfit gets a rapturous response. Unlike the first ensemble, which seemed to remind people of something I might wear, albeit with the brightness dialled down, this full-on casual look is enough of a departure for people to really take

You look perfect,” my dad chirps as I meet him outside the Loftus Road stadium. One of the football regulars, Ben, takes a shine to it, too. “You should keep this as your look,” he says. My wife has given it her stamp of approval – she says it’s “very attractive” – and I start to wonder what all of this positive feedback says about my usual clothes. I think my mates enjoyed seeing a laddier side to my personality; they appreciated my style without the flamboyant edge. As I leave, I ask my friend Alex why people prefer me in this outfit. He gives it some thought. “You look like it’s 1997,” he says, “but you’re pulling it off.”

It feels good to have had so many compliments in a single day, though afterwards I relish the return of the sense of expression my own style gives me. Elgar’s style is unfussy and practical, and there’s something comforting in that for both the wearer and those around them. Looking at my own colourful wardrobe, perhaps I’ve learned that, sartorially, sometimes less really is more – for a trip to the football at least.

Henry Lloyd-Hughes played Roger in Harry Potter and Ralph in C4’s Indian Summers, but earned cult status for his role as bullyboy Mark in The Inbetweeners.

Henry wears clothes as before. Elgar wears blazer by Hackett, roll-neck by John Smedley, trousers by Oliver Spencer and loafers by Russell & Bromley. Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Guardian
Elgar Johnson, fashion director at GQ Style
Ever since I was old enough to know what trainers were, I’ve been obsessed with sportswear and streetwear. Nike Air Max. Adidas Spezial tracksuits. Levi’s jeans. Stone Island, Timberland and Supreme.

For me sportswear isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life. I love sports and I still dress the same way as the friends I grew up with in Peterborough and Liverpool. I take as much pride in choosing the right trainers as someone else would in a three-piece suit. Not that everyone understands that; some people look at my clothes and seem to think I’m about to rob them. That’s definitely not the case – I’m just a normal guy who doesn’t wear super-fabulous outfits.

I think my look reflects my personality. I’m easy-going, 33, not ready to be too grown-up quite yet. My clothes are a uniform, really. I’m a fashion director of GQ Style, a huge men’s magazine, working on many different projects, so the last thing I want is a dilemma getting dressed in the morning.

I’d put on a suit if the occasion demanded it – I wouldn’t wear a tracksuit to a wedding – but there are some things I would never wear. Like trilbies or anything too polished that deliberately turns heads. I prefer to blend in; my look is kind of muted. And I always wear socks – I don’t think that cropped trousers, naked ankle thing looks attractive. Not with my ankles, anyway.

For me, sportswear isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life
At first, when I heard I would be dressing like Henry Lloyd-Hughes for the day, I didn’t think it would be too difficult. I knew of him from his role as the school bully in The Inbetweeners, a character who dresses as if he’s straight from the football terraces. But the real Henry is nothing like that. He looks great – he has a very clear sense of his own style – but his clothes are totally unlike mine. He’s dapper and precise; suited and booted. It’s more formal than the way I dress, a look with the feeling of a bygone era.

Henry often has a proper Victorian strongman moustache, so I decided that, to embrace the challenge fully, I’d shave off my beard up to my moustache. That was fun. Actually the clothes affected me more. As soon as I pulled them on – a roll-neck jumper, suit jacket and grey tailored trousers – I felt a bit Marvin Gaye, very smooth. I can recognise that as a great look, but I’m much more Oasis and the Streets myself, and my behaviour changed.

Going to work, I didn’t sprint up and down the escalator in a mad panic to be on time, like I usually would. In my smart, more restrictive clothes, I walked down instead. In my head, I thought there was more chance of me getting away with being late; I could just lie and say I had been to a bank meeting. It felt as if I was acting, like I was dressed as an older, more authoritative figure. I carried myself differently; felt more grown-up, more sensible.

Elgar wears coat by Club Monaco, trousers by Oliver Spencer, waistcoat and shirt by Drakes, and tie by Hackett. Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Guardian
The most marked response came when I was shopping. Sometimes when you wear casualwear, you feel as if sales assistants or security guards are judging you. Now they eyed me up very differently – as though I might buy the entire shop. It was amazing to see how much strangers judge you on your clothes.

In the GQ office I’m surrounded by very opinionated, well-dressed men, from Dylan Jones, who always looks slick, to Luke Day and Gary Armstrong who explore fashion brilliantly, and one of the coolest men in Condé Nast, the always effortless Bill Prince. The majority seemed to really like it – I suppose it’s a men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine, so they’re pretty open-minded about trying new looks. Our creative director, Paul Solomons, greeted me with, “What’s wrong with you and what are you wearing that for?” but then went right back to his computer. The attention felt weird – I’m usually happier for someone else to be the star of the show.

I felt a bit Marvin Gaye. Smooth
After work, at the football, my friends’ reaction was pretty positive, too. At first they assumed I was going on to a work party. “You look good. Though not really like yourself,” said one as I stood awkwardly in my tailored trousers in a pub after the match. “You look like a 1980s footballer. Or a black Magnum PI.”

The one person who really was not convinced was me. In truth, I felt uneasy. Save for some kind of big lifestyle change when I get older, I can’t imagine dressing like this again. It just doesn’t reflect my personality. The experience also made me realise we still live in a judgmental society; it’s bizarre how foolish some people are for judging others on their clothes when they clearly don’t know their stuff.

The next day, back in my own clothes, I went and watched the football down the pub and felt like myself again, with one little grown-up addition: I’ve still got the tash.

Elgar Johnson started started out as a model before moving into magazines. After cutting his teeth at i-D, then Man About Town, he is now fashion director at GQ Style.

Grooming throughout: Mike Harding using Kevin Murphy

HOW CAN TOILET INFECTION BE CURED – 5 STEPS FOR NIGERIAN LADIES

Many women have this myth of "toilet infection". Get some facts and reliable information to take good care of yourself and your health.

This article HAS to be begun by dismantling several widely spread in Nigeria myths. One of them is present in the very name of “toilet infection”. Certainly, this is not a medical term to be used. A better one would be “vaginal infections” or even STI (sexually transmitted infections).

Surely the toilet seat (especially the one in public toilets) is a pretty dirty item. It contains many bacteria and you have no way of knowing what women have used it prior to you. So, it’s not a good idea to sit on those seats without wiping them out or cleaning. Or, which is even better, using the roller toilet seat covers.

Here is what you need to know: getting infected with a “toilet disease” by just sitting on a public toilet seat is unlikely. It is not probable! There are certain small chances of “catching” an infection there, but they are virtually non-existent. So, before we move to answering the question: how can toilet infection be cured, let’s get more information.

Why vaginal infections cannot be gotten from the lavatory seat:

Only under 3 percent of all STIs or vaginal diseases are transmitted through domestic items;
In most cases there is no straight contact between the toilet seat and mucosa;
Most bacteria cannot survive outside the human body;
They need direct mucosa to mucosa contact to get transmitted.
These are just few reasons to mention why there is no such thing as a toilet disease. However, there is one thing to point out. There are more odds of you catching “toilet disease” from your hands touching the seat, then by sitting up on it.

If you touch the seat, do not clean your hands and rub your eyes or touch the food you eat, you can get infected. Some diseases, such as milk thrush or herpes can develop in the mouth or on the eyes mucosa as well. Still, there are equal chances of “catching” them, touching someone’s smartphone or a door handle. The same would happen if you handle your private body parts with dirty hands!

READ ALSO: What is urinary tract infection – 5 tips for Nigerians.

Why “toilet infection” is a myth?

So, why is this term used at all and how come many women believe they got those candida or genital herpes and other infections from the toilet seats? In many cases it is a lie that suits us all. Being diagnosed with STI is not a nice thing to occur. Women can be ashamed of the fact. They need a way of escape and “toilet infection” myth provides just that.

Certainly, vaginal infections and STIs can be transmitted in other ways, but sexual. However, few women are aware of the facts and the ways. So, they find a great excuse in blaming the toilet seat for getting them infected.

Some ladies do not like to consider the fact their men might be the ones to blame for their health problems. Cheating is a hard thing to cope with and no mistake. Let’s summarize the reasons:

Socially accepted lie
Low level of information on STI and vaginal infections
Unwillingness to suspect infidelity
What is hiding under the “toilet infections” term?

It could be a diversity of things. Here are few to mention:

urinary tract infection
STI
fungal infection
HIV/AIDS
How can toilet infection be cured? – 5 steps

Symptoms

It might all start with the symptoms. Some of them may include vaginal discharge, foul smell, itching of private parts, redness, sense of discomfort in the lower part of the tammy, pain, etc. If you get one or several of these signs, the best thing to do is to set an appointment with a gynecologist.

It is highly advised for women to pay a visit to their physician at least once in 6 months. Do not try to deal away with the symptoms by taking pain killers or doing douching.

What you can do is to end douching if you are doing it regularly. Few women know how harmful it can be. Stop using soap for the washing of the private body parts. Stop using any chemicals, wet napkins, odorants, etc. for the private hygiene.

Diagnosis

Any treatment should be preceded by diagnosis. A doctor should run a range of tests on you. It all starts with the regular medical examination. They may do blood tests or do the endocervical scraping. They examine the tissues and see, if there are any bacteria, viruses or fungi in there. They may also do vaginoscopy, which means they may use special camera to provide visual examination of vagina. Another way to do it is by ultrasound. Any treatment for toilet infection can be started only after getting the tests’ results. Unfortunately not all the women in Nigeria can access the most modern examination methods. Still, you should at least try to visit a good clinician and get consultation.

Medical treatment

Vaginitis can be caused by many by the increase of bad germs or rapid increase of the number of some kinds of innate to vagina bacteria. Basically it is a disbalance of bacterial life in vagina. Some women believe that a clean vagina is the one with no bacteria in it. That is not true. The difficulties start, when bad bacteria outnumber the good ones or the allowable level of them. It can be caused by the slow work of immune system, by getting bacteria from another person (most commonly through sexual contact, medical procedures), or by certain things you do. Regular use of soap or douching can wash out or kill the entire good germ population and lead to the increase of bad ones.

In this case you should eliminate those reasons get adequate treatment. Bacteria are killed by antibiotics. At this, if you got infected from your regular sexual partner both of you need to get treatment. The antibiotic is chosen based on bacteria sensitivity test results. Another reason of bacterial vaginitis is uncontrolled or lengthy use of antibiotics, which kill all the good bacteria.

Fungal infection (Candida) These are treated with oral drugs or with vaginal suppositories or creams. Again, both sexual partners have to be treated, otherwise they would keep on infecting each other.

Viral vaginitis One of the widely spread viruses is papilloma (HPV). There are the drug treatments for it and in some cases surgery is required.

Bacterial vaginitis
Caused by bacteria (small ogranisms) that enter your organs and lead to infection, inflammation and a range of problems. Always should be treated with antibiotics.

Medical procedures

Such consequences of vaginitis as cervical erosion can be treated by cautery with lase, electrocoagulation or cryocauterization. These treatments have to be prescribed and carried out by professional doctors. Otherwise, they may have severe side effects.

Checkup

Now you know how can toilet infection be treated, but after each treatment more tests need to be done. This way you can find out if the treatment was efficient. So, pay another visit to your doctor and get checked up. So, how can various toilet infections be cured?
First of all we know there is no such a thing as “toilet infection” and the proper name would be “vaginal infections” or in some cases STI. They cannot be cured by home remedies and medical treatment is needed.

Treatment of Toilet Infections and Home Remedies

Getting the right diagnosis is the key to proper treatment of toilet infection.

You must be able to tell the symptoms and describe the color, texture, smell, and quantity of discharge you might be having.

Bacterial Vaginosis
This is treated majorly by antibiotic. Antibiotics usually work well and have few side effects. But taking them can lead to a vaginal yeast infection. Metronidazole (flagyl) is an effective drug for toilet infection.

Home remedies to encourage healing of bacterial vaginosis include

Garlic: Peel off the skin and insert this into the vagina allowing it to remain overnight. This may be done once every day until the infection goes away.

Apple cider vinegar: This is another effective natural remedy for vaginal infections. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water and add a fresh clove of garlic. Allow the solution to stand for some time so that the nutrient in the garlic can be absorbed and then use it for douching.

Vaginal Yeast Infection
For mild cases, vaginal creams can be very effective. For severe and recurrent cases of yeast infection, vaginal clotrimazole and oral fluconazole may be administered.

Avoid douching when you have vaginal yeast infection as douching may promote the yeast infection and spread it to the cervix and into the uterus.

Home remedies for yeast infection are

Yogurt: A common home remedy for yeast infections is to immerse a tampon in yogurt and insert it into the vagina. This may be done twice on daily basis until the symptoms subside.

Garlic: Inserting garlic over night is also an effective home remedy

Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is also known for its ability to alleviate the symptoms of itching and irritation caused by a yeast infection. Pour a few drops of the oil on a tampon and place it inside the vagina

Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is treated with metronidazole (flagyl). It usually is given in a single dose

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Echinacea and Garlic are effective home remedies for trichomoniasis.

Prevention of Toilet Disease
Here are some preventive tips for toilet infections and disease

Always keep yourself clean and dry
Avoid using vaginal sprays or heavily perfumed soaps on the vagina.
Be careful not to allow the transfer of germs from the anal area while wiping
Avoid wearing clothes that withhold heat and moisture such as nylon underwear, tight jeans and pant hose without cotton.
Using condoms may help prevent transmitting infections
Eating yogurt with active cultures may help reduce yeast vaginal infections
Don’t use deodorant tampons or pads
Remaining in a sweaty or dirty cloth can worsen infection
Endeavour to get a complete gynecologic exam on yearly basis.

Finding Low-cost Dental Care

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), one of the federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the nation in conducting and supporting research to improve oral health. As a research organization, NIDCR does not provide financial assistance for dental treatment. The resources listed below, however, may help you find the dental care you need. You also can contact the NIDCR's National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse at 1-866-232-4528 or nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov if you have questions or need additional information.
Note: Some of the resources offer an internet address but no phone number. If you do not have internet access, you may wish to call the NIDCR toll-free number (listed above), visit your local library, or ask a friend or family member for help.
Clinical Trials
NIDCR sometimes seeks volunteers with specific dental, oral, and craniofacial conditions to participate in research studies, also known as clinical trials. Researchers may provide study participants with limited free or low-cost dental treatment for the particular condition they are studying. To learn more about clinical trials, visit the NIDCR web site and click on "Clinical Trials." To find a clinical trial, contact:
ClinicalTrials.gov—a database of government and private clinical trials in the United States and around the world.
NIH Clinical Research Studies—a database of clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; to talk with someone about studies at the Clinical Center, call: 1–800–411–1222.
Dental Schools and Dental Hygiene Schools
Dental schools can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. Most of these teaching facilities have clinics that allow dental students to gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost. Experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise the students. At most schools, there are also clinics where graduate students and faculty members provide care.
Dental hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost preventive dental care as part of the training experience for dental hygiene students. To find a dental or dental hygiene school in your area, contact:
Dental Schools—American Dental Association .
Dental Hygiene Schools—American Dental Hygienists' Association .
Community Health Centers
The federal government's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), runs federally funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. To find a health center in your area, visit:
HRSA.gov and type your location in the "Find a Health Center" box.
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical benefits — and in some cases dental benefits — to eligible individuals and families. States are required to provide dental benefits for children covered by Medicaid, but states can choose whether to provide dental benefits for adults. Most states provide only limited dental services for adults, while some offer extensive services. Visit the Medicaid web site and click on "Learn How to Apply for Coverage" or contact your state Medicaid program.
CHIP is a state-run program for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. CHIP provides dental services to children up to age 19. Dental services covered under this program vary from state to state. To find children's dental care programs in your state, visit Insure Kids Now or call 1–877–KIDS–NOW (1–877–543–7669)
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people under 65 with specific disabilities. Medicare only covers dental services related to certain medical conditions or treatments. It does not cover dentures or most routine care like checkups, cleanings, or fillings. Visit Medicare Dental Services or call 1–800–MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227). Have your Medicare number handy when you call.
Your state or local health department may know of programs in your area that offer free or reduced-cost dental care. To find state and local resources:
Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial assistance programs.
Call 2–1–1 to find services in your area.
United Way
The United Way may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community. To find the United Way in your area, visit:

Social Smokers Face Real Risks, Too The list of dangers linked to lighting up, even occasionally, continues to grow

Smoking, even socially, is linked to an increased risk of brain bleeding, according to a new study reported in the journal Stroke. That seems to be especially true for women, who are known to have a higher risk for brain bleeding than men.

The study involved data from 65,521 people in Finland who answered survey questions for an average of 45 years. Researchers found that men and women who smoked had nearly three times higher risk for brain bleeds—where blood seeps through the lining between the surface of the brain and the tissue underneath—than people who never smoked. The risk even applied to social smokers, and it increased steadily from light to heavy smoking. Women seemed to be especially affected. Women who smoked showed a nearly 3.5-times higher risk of such bleeding, while men had a 2.2-times greater risk. Even women smoking one to 10 cigarettes a day had a nearly three times higher risk of brain bleeding whereas men smoking a similar amount had a nearly two-times higher risk.

Why are the brains of women more vulnerable to the effects of smoking? The researchers say that smoking can lower estrogen levels, and that can lead to inflammation and other processes that cause blood vessels to degrade and eventually bleed out. Smoking causes women to enter menopause earlier, and that leads to drops in estrogen that could also explain the stronger connection between brain harm and smoking.

The good news is that the risk is avoidable and reversible. In the study, people who quit smoking gradually reduced their risk, so former smokers—those who had quit for more than six months—had low rates of brain bleeding similar to those of non-smokers.

The researchers do acknowledge, however, that, they couldn’t account for all of the other factors that might explain the connection. They couldn’t assess how much alcohol people in the study drank, and they also did not have information on whether the men and women had high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and whether they took medications to control them.

Still, the findings suggest that smoking may be playing a role in contributing to brain bleeding, especially in women, and that people who smoke in any amount should be aware of the heightened danger.

OnE MORE REASON TO QUIT SMOKING: YOU'LL MAKE NEW FRIENDS, STUDY FINDS

TUESDAY, Aug. 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Kicking the smoking habit doesn't only boost your health, it may also help you build a wider circle of friendships, a new study says.

And, over several years, quitters were more likely to start new friendships with nonsmokers, the research found.

"I wouldn't say it's a surprise, but it's a welcome finding. It's good to have it documented by a study that quitting smoking will broaden your social circles," said Dr. Norman Edelman, senior medical consultant at the American Lung Association. He was not involved with the research, but reviewed its findings.

The study also confirmed what has been seen in previous research: People trying to quit who spend less time around smokers have the highest success rates over time.

The number of smokers in the United States has been declining for decades and is now at an all-time low, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But about 17 percent of the American population still smokes, the CDC says.

That number is still too high, said one of the study's authors, Megan Piper. She's an associate director of research at the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research.

Piper said that people who want to quit smoking may fear that they will lose friends who continue to smoke.

"Smokers are afraid of losing their friends" to the nonsmoking world, Piper said, adding that until now, no one has really studied what happens to relationships when people quit smoking.

What is known, she said, is that people who quit tend to break off relationships with people who continue to smoke. The reasons they do this still need to be studied further, Piper said.

The initial study group included slightly more than 1,500 people participating in a smoking cessation program. They were from Milwaukee or Madison, Wis. All smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day.

They were randomly selected to receive medication, nicotine replacement products or a placebo. All were also given counseling to help them quit.

Nearly 700 smokers completed all of the study assessments. These occurred at the start of the study and then at one, two and three years after their target quit date. The average age of the study participants was 46 years, and about 60 percent were female.

During the three-year study period, nearly three-quarters of the study volunteers reported adding at least two new friends to their social circle.

People who quit found that they become more socially acceptable to a much wider group of people—nonsmokers, Piper said.

It doesn't happen immediately, though. "There is a vacuum for a while when people quit, and they tend to fill it" with other people and organizations, she explained.

Smokers who quit have more opportunities to spend time at smoke-free places, such as restaurants, bars, clubs and stores.

"In many social circles, it is totally unacceptable to smoke," Piper said. "We think it would be helpful for smokers who want to quit to think of this."