The cessation of menstrual periods is often associated with a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including anxiety, depression, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). These symptoms may last years after the menopause transition.
Even though menopause is a physiological condition and not a disease, it has significant morbidity. Besides the increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures, the women also regain their risk for heart disease. In addition, the symptoms of menopause are poorly tolerated and lead to poor quality of life.
Heart disease and stroke.
Your risk of heart disease and stroke is higher after menopause. This higher risk is not completely understood. But cholesterol, high blood pressure, and fat around the belly—all things that raise the risk for heart disease and stroke—also increase around this time.
Menopause is a normal life cycle event that may or may not be accompanied by symptoms and medical consequences. The skeleton and the GU tract (vagina and base of the bladder) are the most likely organ systems to be affected by lowered estrogen levels.
For other women, the menopausal transition can bring hot flashes, trouble sleeping, pain during sex, moodiness and irritability, depression, or a combination of these symptoms. Some may decide to talk with their doctor about lifestyle changes or medications to treat their symptoms.
Low energy is one common effect that many women experience before, during, and after this transition time. Fatigue around menopause occurs because of changing hormone levels, night sweats and other sleep disruptions, or other issues. You might feel physically and mentally drained or just plain tired.
The post-menopause stage signals the end of your reproductive years. While your ovaries produce low levels of estrogen and progesterone, you no longer will ovulate or menstruate. Once you enter the post-menopause stage, you're in it for the rest of your life.
The greatest sign of menopause being 'over' is when you begin to intuitively feel that your disruptive symptoms are easing. This means your body is adjusting to the “new normal” of your hormone levels.
Most women will have their last period around the age of 50. After 12 months without a period, menopause is complete and post-menopause begins. As menopause gets closer, your estrogen and progesterone levels start to decline more rapidly. As a result, your symptoms will likely become more intense.
Overview Menopause
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.
The Research. The study, which was conducted in the United States and published in July 2016, shows that women who start their period after the age of 12, go through menopause after the age of 50, and have more than 40 reproductive years, may have an increased chance of living past the age of 90.
Traditional natural hormone replacement therapies
phytoestrogens, which are dietary estrogens found in legumes, seeds, and whole grains. folate (vitamin B-9 or folic acid) St. John's wort.
While hormone therapy (HT) helps many women get through menopause, the treatment (like any prescription or even non-prescription medicines) is not risk-free. Known health risks include: An increased risk of endometrial cancer (only if you still have your uterus and are not taking a progestin along with estrogen).
The joys of post menopause in the news
And the consensus was that the majority of women feel better once they're through the menopause. They have a much better life and lots of other aspects tend to be more positive as well.
It's a feeling of constantly feeling drained, zapping your energy and motivation, and causing issues with concentration and your overall quality of life. Fatigue at this level impacts your emotional and psychological well-being, too. Many women experience symptoms like these while they're going through menopause.
Many women experience joint and muscle pain and stiffness around the time of menopause - that they hadn't experienced before. Because there are estrogen receptors all over the body, including the joints, declining hormone levels can add to pain caused by inflammation, general wear and tear, and just plain aging.
The late stages of perimenopause usually occur when a woman is in her late 40s or early 50s. In the late stages of the menopausal transition, women begin missing periods until they finally stop. About 6 months before menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly.
Estrogen is the most effective treatment available to relieve bothersome symptoms of menopause. However, some people cannot take estrogen; for example, those with breast cancer.
Exercise is key in getting to and staying at a weight that supports your health at any age. During menopause, it can help you lose belly fat. Doing “targeted" abdominal exercises to get rid of belly fat sounds like it would help, but you can't tell your body exactly where to shed pounds.
However, if you're also experiencing bloating, quickly feeling full when eating, unintended weight loss, pelvic pain, changes in elimination (like constipation), and incontinence, make an appointment with your doctor. Cognitive challenges that go beyond brain fog.