COMPLICATIONS OF MENOPAUSE -

THE RISKS WOMEN FACE FOR CERTAIN HEALTH PROBLEMS

Complications of menopause - the risks women face for certain health problems;

heart disease, depression, weight gain, insomnia, hypertension, osteoporosis...

Menopause is an ordeal many women have to go through. It is a natural process but this whole journey might be daunting and dreadful to some while others get around the whole stages quite smoothly.

However, after going through with your own menopause story, another journey is yet to unfold. Are you ready for the complications of menopause?

We understand that you might have comprehension or maybe your anxiety level goes higher and those are entirely natural feelings and emotions (well, especially now and with what you are going through, yes dear we understand).

I have my own share of complications of menopause.

When it comes to our health, we know ourself better than anyone.

That's why it's very important for me to find a doctor I'm comfortable with and who's willing to work with me. Someone who's willing to listen to what I have to say and open to my suggestions. And I'm glad I found one... My greatest wealth is health, second only to my relationship with the Almighty.

Protecting my heath and using my strength to glorify and doing God's will, help me to show appreciation for this gift of life.

The aim is to age gracefully...

Self-care is ongoing.

24 Common Complications of Menopause

• Heart Diseases - this is the leading cause of death among women after menopause in many countries such as Canada, Australia and the United States.
• Oestrogen level - You know what people from the world of medicine say that it is actually the hormone oestrogen level which is too low (or zero) that makes you suffer all of the complications of menopause and increases the mortality rate among women. (1)
• Hot flashes - One of the most common complications of menopause is probably the hot flashes and the one that can last for a long time, probably years after menopause. And they say that the earlier the hot flashes begin, the longer you will have to endure. (2)
• Itchy Skin - another common problem during menopause is is itchy skin. This is due to the changing level of oestrogen which affects the production of collagen responsible for support and skin elasticity. A good menopause skin care routine and quality moisturiser is necessary to help lock in the moisture to help reduce dryness that causes itching.
• Menopause pain - Menopause pain is probably most felt along the leg, breast and other parts of the body.
• Sex Drive - Menopause can also affect your sexual health as some say that it might actually be painful when having sex.
• Depression - Depression might probably be due to fluctuating reproductive hormones and it is “estimated that 20% of women experienced depression at some point during menopause” says Indian Journal or Psychiatry. (3)
• Insomnia - Sleeping problems are due to low oestrogen level and the fact that sleeping duration is reduced as people age through the years. (3)
• Hypertension - Low oestrogen is responsible for higher risk of hypertension due to the body’s sensitivity to salt content in our food.
• Libido - Appetite for sexual activity decreases with women feeling uncomfortable or even the presence of pain when having sexual contact.
• Memory Lapses - “Most middle-aged women experience lapses in memory from time to time, especially before or during menopause.” according to the Healthline. (7)
• Osteoporosis - As you age, you are at risk of osteoporosis however, loss of bone mass is also one of the complications of menopause that is due to hormone deficiency and exposes you to an even higher risk than younger women.
• Thyroid - “Researchers found that oestrogen levels might affect thyroid function and lead to thyroid disorders. “, says the Healthline. (4)
• Menopause Arthritis - Among other complications of menopause, the most common form of arthritis, or inflammation of joints, is osteoarthritis among women and oestrogen plays an important role
• Menopause Belly fat - low oestrogen also means slower metabolism
• Menopause bleeding - One of the serious complications of menopause or after menopause is bleeding. You have to go to your doctor right away if you see even blood spotting as this occurrence is not normal.
• Breast Cancer - Cancer risks tend to go higher as women age.
• Fibroids Menopause - Development of fibroids or tumors or myomas (in another term) in uterus is a risk that is supposed to be decreased after menopause since oestrogen is needed in order for the fibroids to grow. However, chances are one can still experience this.
• Menopause night sweats - Similar to hot flashes, this complication is also cause by changes in hormone levels.
• Weight gain - This weight gain is due to decreased oestrogen level responsible for good metabolic processes in the body.
• Menopause hormones - Decrease in hormones drastically changes bodily functions.
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) - According to Medical News Today, “Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that leads to cysts growing on a woman's ovaries. It happens when the sex hormones progesterone and oestrogen are out of balance.” (5)
• Menopause itching - Itching on skin such as genitals, face and other parts of the body like your nipples is one of the most common complications of menopause because oestrogen acts as stimuli for the natural oils and collagen to be produced on our skin. (6)
• Diabetes - Hormonal changes brought about by menopause can definitely affect your blood sugar level leading to the development of one of the serious complications of menopause which is Diabetes. Your blood sugar level may go crazy - going up then going down or going down and then going up.

Yes, we know you are getting worried upon reading all these complications of menopause (uhm... who wouldn’t?) However, these risks can also be managed properly.

All we have to do is find the information needed and options available - may it be hormone treatment or alternative and natural way - to come up with a strategy in dealing these complications of menopause. Regular visit to your doctor is an important step to do, he or she will be ready to assist you in this journey.

REFERENCES:

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8323825

(2) https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-flashes-what-can-i-do

(3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4539866/

(4) https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/thyroid-and-menopause#estrogen

(5) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319363.php#how-do-pcos-and-menopause-affect-one-another

(6) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322587.php#overview

(7) https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/memory-alzheimers#1