Save this article
Use this article for free on your own website
Republish this article for free on your own website or blog. Or search or browse for more articles that your audience will appreciate. Huge choice available. Ideal for finding quality, free content. Read our publishers guide.
How The Signs Of Menopause Affect Your Health
The hormone estrogen plays a major role in the different signs of menopause that a woman will experience when going through this stage of life. Estrogen is produced in the ovaries and is known to affect over 300 different organs, tissues and bodily functions. When we hit menapause, the levels of estrogen our body produces decrease dramatically. This ultimately means that no two women will likely experience the exact same symptoms of menopause. Some of the more common and important ones are:
The hormone estrogen plays a major role in the different signs of menopause that a woman will experience when going through this stage of life. Estrogen is produced in the ovaries and is known to affect over 300 different organs, tissues and bodily functions. When we hit menapause, the levels of estrogen our body produces decrease dramatically. This ultimately means that no two women will likely experience the exact same symptoms of menopause. Some of the more common and important ones are:
You May See An Increase in Bad Cholesterol Levels
You have two types of cholesterol in your body - good and bad. Pre menopause, women generally have more good cholesterol than bad. The good cholesterol will counteract the bad cholesterol, so the end result is positive. During menopause, and in particular the pre-menopause phase, women can start to lose the high levels of good (HDL) cholesterol. This allows the bad cholesterol (LDL) to rise in relation to the HDL levels, which in turn brings increased risk of heart disease. So keep tabs on your HDL and LDL levels and eat healthily to keep your good cholesterol levels up.
Low Estrogen Can Impact Heart Disease
Scientific research has concluded that one of the roles of estrogen is to keep blood vessels flexible and healthy. So when oestrogen levels decline in the pre-menopause stages, blood vessels can start to harden. This can bring on conditions such as high blood pressure and lead to heart disease if not managed.
The Start of Hot Flashes
Again these are caused by fluctuations in the amount of oestrogen that is produced by the body. They start with a rise in body temperature which causes the small blood vessels that are close to the skin’s surface, mostly in the neck and face but sometimes the chest area as well, to dilate so that the excess heat is released through the skin. The duration and severity of hot flashes differs greatly between individuals however it is estimated that over 75% of menopausal women suffer at some point before their menopause is complete.
Breasts Can Become Larger and Firmer
Now this may not seem like too much of a hardship for some women (myself included), but it can have a negative impact on health for women who already have large breast, as it can lead to back and lower neck ache. The increase in size is usually caused by the glandular tissue of the breast (the tissue that produces milk) being replaced by connective tissue (as milk production is no longer required).
Possibility of Incontinence
Oestrogen is known to provide tone to the bladder sphincters and the urinary tract and so a decline in the level of this hormone can cause urinary urgency and in the later stages of pre-menopause, a loss of bladder control. This problem can be resolved to some degree with HRT or alternatively daily exercises that tone and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor can also help.
Decrease in Bone Strength and Density
As we age, we all lose bone density - both men and women alike. We can take natural supplements that help offset the loss and maintain our bone strength well into old age. But one of the signs of menopause is an increased loss of bone density which can mean you’re more prone to bone fractures and at increased risk of osteoporosis. Again, there are many natural and effective alternative remedies which can combat these signs of menopause.