Serious Conditions Associated with Menopause

Although menopause is a natural transition in a woman’s life, there are some serious health conditions associated with it, especially if you are at risk.  Women at risk are those with a genetic inclination and also cancer and diabetes. Throughout her life, a woman has some built-in protection in the form of estrogen.  As she ages, the amount of estrogen naturally diminishes, and with it, loses this protection making her vulnerable to life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and stroke.  Your risk of osteoporosis also increases dramatically, as does obesity.

Heart Disease and Stroke
After menopause, women are more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes than men.  Estrogen levels drop considerably in postmenopause, and may cause a woman to experience palpitations.  If this symptom, which is your heart beating more rapidly, occurs, you should inform your doctor. Unlike with other conditions, there are measures you can take to prevent heart disease that are very simple and inexpensive.  Eliminating processed foods, salt and sugar are the top priority where your diet is concerned.  Adding more heart-healthy foods such as vegetables, fruit, nuts, legumes and other fiber-rich ingredients, along with drinking lots of water, will increase improve your digestion and make you regular, improving your chances of a healthy heart.  Regular visits with your doctor to monitor blood pressure and your cholesterol and triglycerides, will also give you a clear picture of your health and determine what you need to do.  Medication may be necessary to help regulate these numbers.

Obesity
Fifty years ago obesity may not have been on this list.  But with more choices and more processed foods in the marketplace, obesity has become a very common problem for women.  This fact is made worse by the advent of computers leading to a more sedentary lifestyle.  Couple that with the normal weight gain caused by menopause (average of fifteen pounds) and you have the potential for illnesses associated with obesity.  Women gain weight during menopause because metabolism naturally slows down.   This causes more weight to settle in the midsection or abdomen, which has been known to increase the risk for heart problems.  Increased physical activity is critical during this time in a woman’s life, as is the food you eat, for obvious reasons.

Osteoporosis
As a woman ages, the risk of bone loss increases.  This is also due to the decline in estrogen.  Without it, your body cannot produce new bone and inevitably, the bone you do have will get weaker, making a woman more prone to breaks and fractures.  Recovery time is lengthened and this inactivity can lead to other problems.  Fractures occur most frequently in the spine, wrist and hip.  Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium can decrease your risk.  There are also some studies that indicate Vitamin K2 (not Vitamin K) can increase your body’s ability to direct the calcium you do take to your bones and not your arteries or your heart.

The bottom line is that emphasis on lifestyle changes can increase your chances for a long and healthy life.  There is no better time to start than when the first symptoms of menopause appear.  Annual physicals with your doctor are a good first step to monitor pre-existing conditions and risks.