When you think about menopause, what comes to mind?
Many of us immediately think of hot flashes and night sweats. And while it’s true that many women do have these symptoms, it’s also true that every woman who goes through menopause experiences it differently: from sleep disturbances and mood changes to low libido and hair loss.1 Usually, symptoms start during perimenopause—which is the transition into menopause that can last between 7-10 years for some women.
Menopause is more than these things, though. In addition to individual symptoms, it’s important to know that menopause comes with additional risks that all women share. That’s because falling estrogen levels are linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, and sexual dysfunction. Here’s why that matters and how you can take charge of your health during this life transition and beyond.
What is the link between menopause and heart disease?
Menopause doesn’t create heart disease. But if you already have heart disease, menopause can cause its symptoms to show up for the first time—or become more pronounced than before.2 That’s because estrogen plays a role in blood flow. As you enter and progress through menopause, your estrogen levels drop. In turn, lower estrogen levels increase your risk for heart disease. The relationship between estrogen and cardiac function is complex, though. Be sure to talk to your health care team about this connection so you can understand your personal risk factors.
Post-menopause: An increased risk of fracture
Did you know women entering menopause begin to lose more bone than their bodies can replace: another consequence of plummeting estrogen levels? According to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, some women can lose up to 20% of their bone density during the 5-7 years following menopause.3 It’s not surprising, then, that osteoporosis (low bone mass) is common in women at midlife. The good news: osteoporotic bone fractures are not inevitable with age. As with heart disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your bone health if you’re approaching or going through menopause.
What happens to sexual desire after menopause?
Both men and women can experience age-related changes to libido. Still, women are much more likely to experience decreased sexual desire than men.4 How this shows up varies from woman to woman, and depends on many different factors. These can include the physical and emotional symptoms of menopause, certain health conditions, personal motivation, and more.
Some women sail through menopause with no changes in their libido. Other women are distressed by their symptoms and report a negative impact on their overall sexuality and quality of life.
Understanding these changes and how to effectively communicate them to both your partner and your health provider can help you reclaim your sexual vitality
How can women maintain good health at menopause and beyond?
The menopause transition is a good time to reassess your own health. Knowing how it may impact your personal risk for chronic disease empowers you to make positive lifestyle choices that support your heart, bone, and overall health. Start with these three steps:
- Get regular exercise—ask your health care provider about what types of activities (and how much of them) are right for you.
- Eat a healthy diet—incorporate more fruits and vegetables and limit processed foods and refined sugars.
- Talk to your doctor—keep up with proper screenings and discuss any medical concerns or symptoms that you may have.
Remember: advocating for your own health is important at any age!
Sources
1. Menopause. Cleveland Clinic. Updated 2022. Found on the internet at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause
2. Menopause and Heart Disease. American Heart Association. Found on the internet at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/menopause-and-heart-disease
3. What Women Need to Know. Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation. Found on the internet at https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/preventing-fractures/general-facts/what-women-need-to-know/
4. Decreased Desire. The North American Menopause Foundation. Found on the internet at https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/sexual-problems-at-midlife/decreased-desire
