Are there any health risks associated with postmenopause?
People in postmenopause are at an increased risk for several conditions:
Cardiovascular disease
Estrogen helps protect against cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, heart disease and stroke. It is also common for people in postmenopause to become more sedentary, which contributes to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These factors combined can increase a woman’s risk for cardiovascular diseases after menopause. A healthy diet, not smoking and getting regular exercise are your best options to prevent heart disease. Treating elevated blood pressure and diabetes as well as maintaining cholesterol levels are also ways to lower your risk.
Osteoporosis
People lose bone more rapidly after menopause due to decreased levels of estrogen. You may lose up to 25% of your bone density after menopause (approximately 1% to 2% per year). When too much bone is lost, it increases your risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures. The bones of the hip, wrist, and spine are most commonly affected. Bone mineral density testing, also called bone densitometry, can be done to see how much calcium you have in certain parts of your bones. The test is used to detect osteoporosis and osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis.
vagin*l atrophy
Decreased estrogen levels cause the tissues in your vagin* to thin and deteriorate, making your vagin* dry. People in postmenopause may continue to struggle with vagin*l dryness for years after their last period. Using vagin*l lubricants can help ease any discomfort caused by sex. Decreased estrogen levels can also impact the urinary tract and bladder and make leaking urine a problem for some people. Persistent dryness and painful intercourse should be evaluated by your healthcare provider to rule out other conditions. Using lubrication and topical creams or getting laser therapy to the vagin* can help with vagin*l dryness.
Mental health issues
Many people in postmenopause experience moodiness, anxiety and depression. This could be caused by stress, sexual tension or other life challenges that occur during this time. Some people feel sad that their reproductive years are over. Mood symptoms can also be caused by decreased hormone levels. It might help to talk with a therapist or counselor about what you are feeling.
What can I do to prevent osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis isn’t entirely preventable, but you can take steps to strengthen your bones. Eating foods high in calcium like cheese, yogurt, spinach or fortified cereals can help boost calcium intake. Adding a calcium supplement can also help. Some people also need a vitamin D supplement because it helps their body absorb calcium.
What can I do to prevent cardiovascular disease after menopause?
The best ways to prevent cardiovascular diseases are to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid smoking. Conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and having obesity are usually related to poor diets and lack of physical activity.
