Menopause marks an important physiological turning point, often accompanied by many hormonal upheavals. This natural transition, generally between 45 and 55 years, is accompanied by sometimes subtle changes, sometimes more marked, which can have a significant impact on health and well-being. Among the main consequences, there is an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease, bone weakening, as well as genitorerinary or skin disorders. However, this period of life does not only rhyme with discomfort or pathologies: it can also provide certain unexpected benefits. Overview of the effects of menopause on women’s health.
Cardiovascular diseases
After menopause, the cardiovascular risk increases. Indeed, the cessation of production of estrogens and progesterone by ovaries has an effect on many cardiovascular risk factors:
- increase in blood pressure;
- diabetes ;
- Anomalies of the lipid assessment (cholesterol and triglycerides).
This increased risk of cardiovascular disease can be accentuated by tobacco and overweight.
Cardiovascular disease kills women more than breast cancer.
Genitorerinary disorders
We are also talking about the genitarinian syndrome of menopause. Hormonal deficiency can cause:
- a drought of the vulva and the vagina which promotes irritation, vaginitis, burns…;
- sexual disorders (pain during reports, drop in libido);
- Urinary disorders (getting up at night to urinate, pressing desires, urinary leaks, repeated cystitis, etc.).
Osteoporosis
After menopause, the risk of osteoporosis increases due to an acceleration of bone loss. Menopausal women therefore have an increased risk of fractures (wrist, femur collar, spine). Osteoporosis affects one in four menopausal.
Skin drought
The drop in secretion of sex hormones has an impact on the skin. This is less flexible, drier and covers wrinkles. After menopause, women can also lose their hair and suffer from excessive hair.
Weight gain
Weight gain concerns many menopausal women. This is explained by an increase in fat mass and a drop in muscle mass. Beyond the weight gain, the menopausal woman sees her body change because the lean mass and the fatty mass are no longer distributed in the same way. The fat will tend to accommodate in terms of belly and much less on the thighs and buttocks.
“” “Between 42 and 50 years old, average weight gain is 0.8 kg per year and even 1.5 kg for 20 % of women”, Can we read on the health insurance site.
It’s not just negative in menopause!
In addition to the end of the rules and the risk of unwanted pregnancy, this period is also marked by an improvement in certain health problems.
The hormonal fall observed after menopause promotes spontaneous regression of uterine fibroids (estrogens act on their evolution).
Women who suffered from endometriosis see their symptoms fade and even disappear for some, after menopause. Like uterine fibroids, endometriosis is a very dependent disease of estrogens.
Finally, women prone to catamel migraines (caused by hormonal changes) can see their crises decrease or even disappear, after menopause.