What Health Conditions Are Associated With Menopause?

Menopause introduces the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and describes any changes that come after you stop having your periods. It is part of the aging process and happens after 40, although some women experience it earlier. Indeed, menopause comes with some hormonal imbalances that cause uncomfortable symptoms. This explains why women opt for solutions to manage their new status better. However, menopause also comes with certain health conditions, including the following. 

• Weight gain 

• Save

While it’s not uncommon to gain weight when going through menopause, it isn’t an inevitable process. Weight gain usually occurs around the abdomen instead of the thighs and hips and is caused by the hormonal imbalance associated with menopause. However, hormonal imbalance isn’t the only factor that encourages excess fat buildup. Aging causes muscle mass decrease and fat buildup while reducing your body’s metabolism. Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle, inadequate sleep, and unhealthy eating habits can contribute to weight gain. Other risks include type 2 diabetes, heart and blood vessel diseases, breathing problems, and cancer. 

Fortunately, weight gain can be controlled with the right steps. For starters, incorporate regular physical activity into your everyday life. Strength training and aerobic exercises can build your muscles while shedding the excess fat, so keep this in mind. Likewise, it’s essential to limit your food intake to reduce calories. As a tip, pay attention to what you eat to avoid losing nutrition while cutting calories. You also want to limit your sugary food intake and alcohol for the best results. 

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Indeed, women of all ages can experience urinary tract infections (UTIs). However, women who have reached menopause are more likely to develop UTIs more frequently. While younger women get the disease through sexual intercourse, women in menopause contract it due to decreased estrogen levels and other changes. Estrogen promotes the growth of good bacteria within the vagina, meaning that bad bacteria will thrive when estrogen levels are low. Other changes that increase your UTI risks are urinary leakage, vaginal tissue dryness and thinness, pelvic organ prolapse, and diabetes. 

Although antibiotics help treat UTIs, other solutions can prevent them. For instance, making lifestyle changes can be beneficial. As a tip, drink lots of water and frequently urinate to eliminate bad bacteria from your urinary tract. You can also insert vaginal estrogen to balance your vagina’s hormone levels. Vaginal estrogen can be purchased as creams, tablets, or vaginal rings, so feel free to choose the most suitable option. It’s also essential to wipe from front to back and ditch vaginal douches and hygiene deodorant sprays. You can also avoid tight pants and invest in comfortable cotton underwear. 

• Osteoporosis 

Osteoporosis causes bone tissues to become less dense and thin, leading to weakened bones and increased fracture risks. For women in menopause, decreased progesterone and estrogen levels can cause osteoporosis. This is because estrogen protects and strengthens bones, and decreased estrogen levels can accelerate the development of osteoporosis. What’s worse, this health condition can continue to an advanced stage without symptoms. It is discovered when a catastrophic fall leads to a broken back or hip in many cases. Also, sustained injuries can cause limited or no movement and require surgery to treat. In addition to decreased estrogen levels, smoking, body composition, and family history can also increase your risks of developing this condition. 

You can prevent osteoporosis by taking vitamin D and calcium supplements that build and keep your bones healthy as you grow. The human body cannot properly absorb calcium without vitamin D, so it’s important to take both for the best results. You can also consult your physician to determine if injectable bone-building agents and prescription medications will be the best option to leverage. Likewise, include walking, aerobics, dancing, and other weight-bearing exercises to maintain your bones. Research shows that hormone replacement therapy effectively prevents bone loss due to menopause. That said, you can opt for personalized hormone replacement therapies to get the desired results. 

• Heart disease

• Save

Although men and women can develop heart disease, women have a higher risk. Studies indicate that cardiovascular disease accounts for 50% of deaths of women above 50 due to reduced estrogen levels. Estrogen keeps the blood vessels flexible to accommodate blood flow, and a reduction in this hormone can lead to thickened artery walls and restricted blood flow. Moreover, other lifestyle conditions contribute to cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, family history, bad cholesterol levels, diabetes, etc. You can reduce your risks of developing cardiovascular disease by quitting smoking and eating nutritious meals. Regular exercise is good for maintaining a good weight and burning excess fats, so feel free to leverage it. 

• Save