Your Menopause Health

Post-puberty, hormones keep most of us fertile and healthy, providing the protective factor that helps to build healthy bones and supports the heart, brain, cognition and memory. Post-menopause, reduced levels of oestrogen and progesterone mean increased risks of developing certain health issues - not something enough of us know about but which hopefully should improve here in the UK with the women’s health taskforce looking at specific areas of women’s life-long health. This isn’t said to shock but to raise awareness of the big picture relating to menopause which too few women know about in advance. Many of the increased risks are invisible - the one in four who don’t experience any obvious physical or psychological symptoms, nevertheless run the same increased risks.

Let’s get informed about potential risks in advance of menopause and take steps to stay healthy going into perimenopause and beyond.

What are the increased health risks for women post-menopause?

These are some of the problems that can crop up post-menopause:

• Cardiovascular disease: Up to the age of 55, women have a lower risk of heart disease than men - oestrogen helps the body keep good and bad cholesterol in balance. Once oestrogen’s gone, cholesterol may start to build up on artery walls increasing the risk of strokes and problems with the heart in menopause. The visceral fat that clings to the menopause midriff, clinging to organs, also increases this same risk.

• Diabetes: Hormonal changes alone are unlikely to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in natural menopause. Going through Early menopause (under 45) or premature menopause can (under 40) can increase the risk.

• Bone density: Lower levels of oestrogen after menopause cause loss of bone increasing the risk for osteoporosis - where bones become brittle and weaker, breaking easily.

• Blood pressure: Weight gain in menopause can increase the risk of blood pressure - menopause can make the body more sensitive to salt, causing it to build up in the bloodstream, increasing fluid retention & increasing blood pressure.

How to stay healthy in menopause?

So, now we know what the potential issues are, how do we best go about minimising health risks post-menopause? There are a number of fairly simple things that could help bones, hearts and general health in menopause -none of which, however, are a substitute for consulting your doctor!

• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, cutting out salty, fatty-processed food to help manage weight, blood pressure and heart health.

• Get plenty of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D for your heart and bones.

• Be physically active.

• Take active steps to manage stress.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Don't smoke or vape.

• Be alcohol aware.

• Attend health screenings.

It can be hard to separate out what parts of someone’s health problems are caused by menopause and what are a natural occurrence of ageing - whatever the cause, making time for a little lifestyle audit may help prevent these issues from escalating.

The clues in our name, take a ‘pause’. Read about what your body needs to have a positive menopause, reduce those health risks and prioritise self-care!