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Menopause Related Health Risks

From the Menopause and Hormones Articles List

You've heard that menopause would be annoying. You knew to expect hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog that would leave you hot, sweaty, and feeling a bit crazy. But is there more to it than that?

Unfortunately, menopause is more than just annoying. It can also make your bones brittle, put you at risk for heart disease, and leave you depressed and anxious. The vaginal dryness that comes with it can do a number on your sex life., too.

But how can this be? How and why does menopause, something every woman must endure, wreck so much havoc on the body? And what can you do about it?

When it comes to warring against menopause, you aren’t defenseless! There are steps you can take to combat the negativity and keep yourself healthy!

Heart Disease

Menopause creates risk for heart disease in a number of ways. Bad cholesterol goes up, good cholesterol can drop, blood vessels can lose flexibility, and you can gain some extra weight.

Besides asking about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you can reduce your risks by exercising, eating a healthy diet, watching your weight, not smoking, and managing stress. You’ll want to make lifestyle and dietary changes that work to keep your blood pressure down and limit fat that can cause build up in your blood and tummy.

Osteoporosis

Estrogen keeps your bones healthy. Without it, your bones can become less dense, weaker, and prone to breaking even from slight stresses. Something as simple as a cough can cause a fracture. If your vertebra collapse, you’ll end up shorter and hunched over. Osteoporosis can be painful, too.

There are medications you can use if you develop osteoporosis, but it’s better to fight osteoporosis before it arrives. Weight-bearing exercises and resistance training can strengthen bone and muscle and reduce fractures. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important for healthy bones. HRT can help preserve your bones, too. You should also avoid excessive alcohol, not smoke, and watch for tripping hazards that could cause you to fall.

Depression and Anxiety

Besides your physical health, menopause can be detrimental for your emotional health. You can feel depressed or anxious, or both! Being depressed makes you not care about anything, while being anxious can make you care too much about everything. The end result is you feel like you are losing your mind and your quality of life stinks.

Hormones can help, as well as depression and anxiety meds. But you can also take action in other ways. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, practicing relaxation techniques, spending time with family and friends, managing stress, and even doing a hobby are all things you can do to help with depression and anxiety. You can also work with a counselor and try various therapies.

Vaginal Atrophy

Dry vaginal tissues can become thin and inflamed, leave you itching, burning, and sore. The fragile tissues can even crack and bleed, putting you at risk for pain and infection. Over time, you can experience more urinary tract infections and the scarring can shorten your vagina. Getting through each day can be miserable enough, so sex can be off the table completely. It’s just too painful.

Estrogen, including vaginal estrogen, can help the tissues heal and become moist again. If symptoms aren’t too bad, an over-the-counter moisturizer or personal lubricant might help. You should also avoid tight panties and scented products in the vaginal area. Staying hydrated and not smoking can help with vaginal dryness, too.


This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.



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