Obesity & Metabolic Expert (SCOPE CERTIFIED) Lifestyle Consultant
Post-menopause is a term used to describe the time that follows menopause. Your menstrual cycle has been uninterrupted for more than a year when you are postmenopausal. Your reproductive years are over in this phase of life, and you are no longer ovulating. The menopausal symptoms you have previously felt could get better or go away entirely. However, some women experience menopausal symptoms for a decade or longer after menopause.
The three phases of menopause are perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
The period following menopause is also known as postmenopause.
You experience postmenopause for the rest of your life. You won’t have a monthly period, and your hormone levels will stay low as the amount of estrogen and progesterone produced by your ovaries decreases significantly. Your ovaries no longer release eggs. Thus, you are unable to become pregnant. Low hormone levels continue to have negative impacts on some people. Heart disease and osteoporosis are the conditions that make postmenopausal women more prone than other women.
Your postmenopause symptoms can be controlled by including small changes to your lifestyle. A few of these are:
The following conditions are more common in postmenopausal women:
Heart attack, heart disease, and stroke are a few cardiovascular disorders that estrogen helps to prevent. Additionally, postmenopausal women frequently become more sedentary, which causes a rise in cholesterol and blood pressure. After menopause, a woman may be more susceptible to cardiovascular problems due to the interaction of these factors. Regular exercise, try quitting smoking and get a proper diet to prevent heart disease. Managing cholesterol levels, diabetes, and high blood pressure can reduce your risk of cardiovascular conditions.
After menopause, people lose bone density more quickly due to lower estrogen levels. After menopause, you could lose up to 25% of your bone mass (or 1% to 2% annually). Your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures rises when too much bone is lost. The most frequently affected bones are the hip, wrist, and spine. Bone densitometry, or bone mineral density testing, is performed to determine calcium levels in particular areas of your bones. A test is required to identify osteopenia. Osteopenia is a condition that precedes osteoporosis and osteoporosis.
The vagina becomes dry due to the thinning and deterioration of the tissues by low estrogen levels. Even after years of last menstruation, virginal dryness can persist in postmenopausal women. Vaginal lubricants might help in reducing any discomfort brought on by sex. The bladder and urinary system can be affected due to lower estrogen levels causing pee leakage. Contact a professional healthcare provider to assess persistent dryness and painful intercourse to rule out other conditions. Vaginal dryness can be treated using vaginal lubrication, topical lotions, and laser therapy.
Moodiness, anxiety, and sadness are common postmenopausal symptoms. Stress, sexual tension, or other difficulties in life that arise at this time could be the cause of this. Some people find it upsetting that they are past the reproductive years. Low hormone levels can also result in mood problems. Discussing your feelings with a therapist or counsellor could be beneficial.
Dr. Kalpana Jain has more than ten years of experience in this field. Her dedication and determination inspire her patients to live healthy lives both before and after menopause. Feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kalpana Jain for more better understanding and consult.