An Intro to Postmenopause
Postmenopause is the stage after menstrual cycles have completely stopped and usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 58. During menopause, your ovaries stop producing eggs, estrogen, and progesterone.
These hormones are very important for regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This article examines the symptoms experienced after menopause, the long-term effects, and possible treatments to alleviate these symptoms.
Postmenopause is an extended stage of life in which affected people no longer have monthly periods. This is one of the three stages of menopause:
- Perimenopause: The transition period before menopause, including the 12 months after the last menstrual period.
- Menopause: Diagnosed by a doctor after 12 months of no menstruation.
- Postmenopausal: The duration after menopause.
The duration of symptoms during the transition to menopause varies from person to person, but on average is 4.5 years.
Postmenopausal Signs and Symptoms
1. Weight Changes
After menopause, many people notice a change in their weight. This could mean weight gain or weight loss. The exact reason for these changes is not fully understood, but lower estrogen levels may be a contributing factor. A decrease in estrogen can lead to an increase in fat in the stomach, hips, and thighs.
An inactive lifestyle can also contribute to weight gain. On the other hand, some people lose muscle mass and lose weight even though their body fat increases. Staying active and adjusting your exercise and eating habits can help you control your weight.
2. Vaginal changes
Postmenopause can cause changes in vaginal discharge and increased dryness in the genital area. This is often caused by vaginal atrophy, which is the thinning of the vaginal walls. About 15% of people experience this before menopause and between the ages of 40 and 57.
Symptoms include dryness, burning, itching, painful intercourse, yellowish discharge, and occasional spotting or bleeding. These changes occur due to a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, which are important for healthy vaginal lubrication.
3. Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are common during the menopausal transition and can continue after menopause. It causes a sudden feeling of heat and sweating. For some people, it lasts from 6 months to 2 years, while for others it lasts over 10 years.
4. Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are common during the menopausal transition. Causes include hot flashes, night sweats, increased urination, and anxiety. These problems become more common with age, affecting 16 to 42 years of age before menopause, 39 to 47 per cent during perimenopause, and 35 to 60 per cent after menopause.
Reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone can affect your sleep, as these hormones manage anxiety and have a calming effect.
5. Infertility
After menopause, the ovaries no longer release eggs, making it impossible to conceive naturally. If you want to become pregnant, in addition to using frozen or donor eggs, you can also use hormone therapy to prepare your body for pregnancy. Talking to a fertility specialist can provide further options and advice.
6. No more periods
The good thing about menopause is that your periods end and the accompanying premenstrual symptoms also end. Such as headaches, bloating, and mood swings. This relieves a huge burden on many people.
Health consequences on a long-term basis
Postmenopause has both positive and negative effects on your health. As bone density decreases, the risk of osteoporosis increases and 1 in 10 women over the age of 60 worldwide have osteoporosis.
The 20% bone loss during menopause highlights the severity of the disease. Estrogen is essential for arterial flexibility, so low estrogen levels increase your risk of heart disease.
The risk of obesity triples during menopause, which is associated with decreased estrogen levels. Additionally, although natural pregnancy no longer occurs after menopause, barrier methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections may still be necessary. Understanding these long-term effects is important for health management during and after menopause.
How can a doctor help?
Your doctor may order menopause testing to determine whether your symptoms are due to menopause or other health problems, such as ovarian insufficiency or thyroid problems. These tests typically test the levels of hormones such as FSH and estrogen in her blood and assess thyroid function. The results help your doctor understand which stage of menopause you are in.
What are some treatment options?
Doctors recommend a variety of treatments for difficult postmenopausal symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen and progestin can reduce symptoms and prevent bone loss, but long-term use can increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Bioidentical hormones, which resemble the body’s natural hormones, are also an option, but they have not been proven to be better than regular HRT. Vaginal estrogen in creams, rings, and tablets prevents vaginal dryness and is safer than systemic HRT.
Low doses of antidepressants can help with mood swings such as depression and anxiety. These treatments can help manage postmenopausal symptoms and improve your health.
What are some supplements?
Some people consider vitamins and supplements to ease postmenopausal symptoms, but their effectiveness is largely unproven. Popular options include: –
- Black Cohosh (for hot flashes)
- Flaxseed (for night sweats)
- Calcium and Vitamin D (for bone strength)
- Wild Yam (as a dietary supplement)
Hormone Replacement Calcium and vitamin D are known to increase bone density during menopause, but the benefits of other supplements are still unknown.
Sum up,
Postmenopause is the third stage of menopause and occurs when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for at least 12 months.
Perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms often subside during this stage, but some symptoms may remain. Your doctor may prescribe various treatments to relieve these persistent symptoms.
