The end of a woman’s reproductive years is a natural stage of life known as menopause. While many women may be familiar with the common symptoms associated with menopause, there are several surprising facts that they may not know. Here are five facts about menopause that may surprise you.
- Can cause bone shrinkage
Menopause affects all women after the age of fifty years. This phase is characterized by reduced estrogen production.
According to the study reported by Health Grades, During menopause, the body’s estrogen levels decline significantly. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health by inhibiting the activity of cells called osteoclasts, which break down bone tissue. When estrogen levels drop, the balance between bone formation and resorption is disrupted, leading to increased bone loss. This can result in bone shrinkage
As you may already know, this predominantly female sex hormone is produced in the ovaries. It’s essential for various functions and plays vital roles in the process.
Besides helping to develop feminine traits, estrogen is also important in the development of bones. So how does it do this?
Well, estrogen regulates bone metabolism, through a process known as osteoblast. Here, this hormone sustains skeletal health by making cells that build new bone structures.
As damaged cells die, new ones are produced to firm the bone mass and density. This way, as a woman, you stay strong and retain your coordination.
During menopause through, this process is interfered with. Thus less cell is available to replace the worn-out ones. This insufficient replenishment could result in weak and brittle bones. As such, you could suffer from osteoporosis.
- Increases heart conditions
Similar to bone health, estrogen is also instrumental in the regulatory system, supporting the supply of blood to vital organs.
But how is blood circulation related to menopause? An adequate quantity of estrogen supports the proper structure of veins. A robust blood vessel is necessary for efficient blood movement within your body.
Health Grades reports that, women are at an increased risk of heart disease after menopause. Various factors, including changes in estrogen levels and age-related conditions like weight gain and high blood pressure, contribute to this heightened risk. It is essential to have open discussions with your doctor about protecting your heart health.
Hence, as estrogen volume starts to dwindle due to menopause, the vein lining weakens. When the vein structure is distorted, blood starts flowing irregularly.
And here is where the rains start beating you. The erratic blood supply to the heart interferes with the heart’s precise pumping mechanism.
Besides, estrogen also impacts various elements that affect your heart health. These include the supply of HDL and LDL cholesterols, blood clotting, and the development of free radicals.
If there is a shortage of estrogen, you will notice a marked increase in the bad LDL cholesterol and frequency of blood clotting, which may negatively affect your heart health.
- Lengthy and persistent hot flushes
Estrogen plays another important function concerning body temperature regulation. Thus inconsistency in hormonal levels due to premenopausal and post-menopause effects is wild body temperature fluctuations.
This feeling is called hot or night flushes since it mostly happens during the night. Hot flushes begin when blood vessels beneath your skin surface widen to cool off.
When you encounter a hot flush, a sudden warmth spread through your upper body, causing your face, chest, and neck to become botchy. You start sweating even though it could be cool.
Besides, this sweating may also be accompanied by rapid heart rate. These symptoms could be fleeting or extended. In some cases, it could just take half a minute, while for some women, it could linger for as long as ten minutes.
But different women describe this feeling differently. Some undergo extreme sensations while others hardly feel anything significant.
As the hot flush subsides, your body begins feeling chilly as the internal temperature resets.
- Affects your memory
Your cognitive functions are dependent on estrogen levels. But as the menopausal phase kicks in, less volume is available for the crucial role.
And one such organ that bears the brunt of this deficiency is the brain. Your cerebral does not get sufficient hormones for the routine task.
When the many estrogen receptors in your brain are underserved, you may suffer an occasional lapse in cognition. In turn, there may be a short-term memory lapse. What do you experience then?
People around you could notice delayed verbal memory. Here you tend to think long over simple rudimentary facts. Besides, your speech becomes labored.
As reported in the article published by the National Institute of Health, it is true that menopause can directly impact memory and concentration. These effects may be noticeable to people around you as you may experience difficulties in remembering usual things and find it harder to concentrate on tasks you are working on.
What’s more, you tend to forget common names and places, in addition to having a difficult time learning verbal new words. Yet another common indicator of estrogen-induced mental decline is your inability to concentrate.
You may quickly lose interest in previously enjoyable vocations. The above situation, however, is temporary and short-lived.
- End of symptoms, not beginning
The onset of menopause is the end of the entire process that shuts do a woman’s fertility cycle. It is different from perimenopause; which is the entire transition phase.
So, you may wonder why bring the perimenopausal phase when we are talking about menopause? Well, menopause can’t occur without perimenopause.
You, therefore, need to know what to expect during the entire process. At the initial stages of perimenopause, you may experience a persistent change in the duration of your menstruation, which can stretch for more than seven days.
These delays could continue piling up, eventually exceeding two months. Here, you are in your late perimenopausal stage.
As time goes by, your period becomes less consistent and discharge volume also dwindles. Eventually, months will pass by without any menstruation.
When you finally complete one full year without any form of vaginal discharge, then you can confidently attest to the onset of menopause – an end of the process.
In conclusion, menopause can be difficult for women, physically and emotionally, as women undergo several changes in that time. However, knowing these surprising menopause facts can help men and women learn about the issue in a more precise manner.
What No One Tells You About Menopause?
Menopause is a natural and inevitable transition that all women go through as they age. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive phase and is often accompanied by various physical and emotional changes. While most women are aware of the general symptoms and effects of menopause, there are some aspects of this phase that are rarely discussed. In this paper, we will explore the lesser-known facts about menopause and how they can impact women’s lives.
1. Menopause is a gradual process
Many women believe that menopause happens overnight, but the truth is that it is a gradual process that can take several years. Perimenopause, the phase leading up to menopause, can start as early as the mid-30s and can last for up to 10 years. During this time, women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, and other symptoms, which can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact onset of menopause.
2. Menopause affects more than just physical health
While the physical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, are well-known, the emotional and mental impact of menopause is often overlooked. The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to mood swings, irritability, and anxiety in some women. Additionally, many women may experience a sense of loss or grief as they come to terms with the end of their reproductive years.
3. It can impact sexual health
Menopause can also affect a woman’s sexual health in various ways. The decrease in estrogen levels can cause vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal walls, leading to discomfort and pain during intercourse. The reduced levels of testosterone can also lower libido and make it more challenging to become sexually aroused. These changes can significantly impact a woman’s sex life and may require open communication with their partner and a visit to their healthcare provider for potential solutions.
4. It can increase the risk of osteoporosis
Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health in women. During menopause, the body produces less estrogen, which can lead to a loss of bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis. This condition makes bones more fragile and prone to fractures, which can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. It is essential to discuss bone health with a healthcare provider and consider preventative measures such as calcium and vitamin D supplementation and weight-bearing exercises.
5. Mental health can be affected
Menopause can also have a significant impact on a woman’s mental health. The hormonal changes during this phase can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, especially in women who have a history of mental health issues. Additionally, the physical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and sleep disturbances, can also contribute to mental health problems. It is crucial for women to seek support from their healthcare provider and loved ones during this time.
6. It is not the end of a woman’s sex life
Many women fear that menopause marks the end of their sex life, but this is not necessarily true. While the physical changes may require some adjustments, many women report feeling more sexually liberated and confident after menopause. With proper communication and a willingness to try new things, women can continue to enjoy a fulfilling sex life during and after menopause.
7. Menopause is different for every woman
Lastly, it is essential to understand that menopause is a unique experience for every woman. While there are common symptoms and changes, each woman’s journey through menopause may be different. Some women may experience severe symptoms, while others may have a relatively smooth transition. It is crucial not to compare one’s experience with others and to seek support from healthcare providers and loved ones during this time.
In conclusion, menopause is a natural and complex phase that every woman will go through. While it may come with its challenges, it is also a time for women to embrace their bodies, sexuality, and overall well-being. By understanding and discussing the lesser-known aspects of menopause, we can better support and empower women during this significant transition in their lives.
