Your health at post-menopause. As you enter postmenopause, you are at the final and permanent phase of your menopause journey. Your hormones will constantly be at a low level of production, and you will no longer have a period. While this may be a reason to celebrate as you may no longer have any of those super annoying symptoms. As you enter postmenopause, you may be surprised that your body is also at an increased risk for several serious health risks.
Heart Disease
Although menopause does not cause cardiovascular diseases directly, it still does raise the chances and risk of developing into one. During postmenopause, your hormone production is constantly low. This means your body has a low amount of estrogen. Estrogen aids in the prevention of cardiovascular disorders such as heart attack, heart disease, and stroke.
Low levels of estrogen, can lead to an increase in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. According to research, one in every three women experience cardiovascular problems. For women that are 10 years postmenopause, there is also an increase in the number of heart attacks.
To reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, you can do the following:
- Adopt healthy habits
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Refrain from smoking
- Monitor your Blood Pressure
- Manage your Cholesterol Levels with food and nutritional supplements like Hepasil from USANA which helps support your liver
Osteoporosis
Postmenopausal women may experience loss of bone density due to low estrogen levels. According to studies, 25% of bone density is lost until you reach the age of 60. When you lose too much of your bone density, it is more likely to develop osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to become thin and get easily fractured and damaged. Bone fractures are most commonly experienced in the in the hips, spine, and wrists. But there are many ways to treat and reduce the risk of getting osteoporosis.
To reduce your risk of osteoporosis, you can do the following:
- Eat calcium-rich foods
- Take chelated mineral supplements
- Take Vitamin D pills regularly
- Include aerobic and strength-building activities in your exercise routine
- Limit your alcohol consumption
- Refrain from smoking
Excess Weight
According to a study, women at postmenopause have been found to have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of health conditions that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and high cholesterol levels. All of these increase your risk of heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes.
Medical experts warn women that too much excess weight, especially around the belly, is harmful as it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Women who were also found to have gained belly fat fast after menopause had a higher risk of heart disease, even if their weight remained the same.
Urinary Tract Infection
Postmenopausal UTIs are typically linked to lower estrogen levels and physical changes. Due to constant low estrogen levels in the body, this results in drier and thinner vaginal tissue. This can make it easier for germs and bacteria to thrive, which can lead to UTIs.
Estrogen promotes the growth of lactobacilli, a good bacteria in the vaginal area that creates an acid that lowers the pH of the vaginal canal. Since postmenopause women have low estrogen in their bodies, infection-causing bacteria have an easier time spreading and multiplying, therefore; increasing your chances of getting a UTI. I have a probiotic especially for this! Here’s the link. I call it the vagina probiotic.
Women also tend to experience uncontrollable leakage of urine and difficulty in emptying the bladder. This leads to bacteria growing rapidly inside the vaginal canal. Women are also encouraged to drink more fluids and avoid going longer than 3 to 4 hours without urinating. And do your kegals!
If you are open to hormone replacement, you could try a low-dose estrogen cream that is inserted vaginally 2-3 times a week. This is also very helpful if you are experiencing painful sex as the vaginal lining thins with the lack of estrogen.
Remember, menopause doesn’t have to be miserable. If you have any questions or need suggestions for supplements, please send me a note at donna@donnaAcupuncture.com.
Postmenopausal health can be easily managed with healthy lifestyle habits and nutritional supplement support.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/postmenopausal-health
