18/10/2024
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause is the decline and cessation of reproductive potential as the follicles in the ovaries become depleted1. In other words, menopause is when your periods stop because of changes in your hormone levels, usually between 45 and 55 years old. It is generally divided into perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. Perimenopause, meaning around menopause, is the stage when you are having symptoms of menopause but are still menstruating and ends when you’ve gone a year without a period1.
Stages of Menopause
Perimenopause
Perimenopause can begin eight to 10 years before menopause when your ovaries gradually produce less and less estrogen. It usually starts when you’re in your 40s. You can be in perimenopause for several months or several years. Many people begin feeling symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause.
Menopause
Menopause is the point when you no longer have menstrual periods. At this stage, your ovaries don’t release eggs, and your body doesn’t produce much estrogen. A healthcare provider diagnoses menopause when you’ve gone without a period for 12 consecutive months. Unlike the other stages, menopause itself is a defined moment, so you don’t stay in this stage.
Postmenopause
This is the time after menopause. You stay in postmenopause for the rest of your life. While most symptoms of menopause ease up in postmenopause, you can continue to have mild menopausal symptoms for several years in postmenopause. People in the postmenopausal phase are at an increased risk for osteoporosis and heart disease due to low estrogen levels.
Common Symptoms Across Different Stages:
During perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, women may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can continue into menopause and postmenopause.
Causes and Risk Factors:
The primary cause of menopause is the natural decline in reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. Factors that may contribute to early menopause include certain surgeries, such as hysterectomy or removal of the ovaries, and medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Smoking, a family history of early menopause, and certain health conditions can also increase the risk.
Impact on Physical and Mental Health:
Menopause can significantly impact both physical and mental health. Physically, women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, vaginal dryness, weight gain, and decreased bone density. Hormonal changes during menopause can also affect mood, leading to irritability, anxiety, and depression. It’s important for women to prioritise self-care during this phase and seek appropriate medical guidance to manage their symptoms effectively.
Menopausal Complications
Post-menopausal women display increased concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol, apolipoproteins, and triglycerides1,2. These molecules have long been associated with cardiovascular health, therefore, a relationship between menopause and cardiovascular disease is intuitive. Oestrogen plays a role in the regulation of cholesterol levels and therefore helps to control the formation of plaques in the arterial wall which can cause heart disease. Furthermore, as age increases, blood pressure increases – a common risk factor for heart attacks and strokes4.
New studies show that menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are not at a significantly increased risk of fatal cardiac events4. Previous studies had shown a link here which caused controversy in the use of HRT to treat premature menopause. However, new research suggests the risk of premature heart disease is more significant for women who enter menopause before 40 than for those who receive HRT to treat premature menopause4.
Similarly to Osteoporosis, a change in hormone levels can have significant impact on our bodies bone remodeling processes6. Deteriorating our body’s ability to maintain healthy bones, the first 5 years of menopause results in a swift decrease in bone density before returning to a normal rate and within this timeframe, bones are more susceptible to fractures7. For more information on Osteoporosis, take a look at our blog, ‘Build Better Bones – World Osteoporosis Day.’ Quitting smoking, reducing your alcohol intake, and getting regular exercise are your best bets in combating this risk5,6.
Menopause may also increase your risk of other conditions, including type 2 diabetes as a change in hormones can affect your insulin processing capabilities and cause a serious hinderance to our bodies ability to process sugar5 .
HOW WE CAN HELP
At Randox Health, we aim to equip you with the information and knowledge to make the best decisions about your health through services such as our private menopause test. Menopause brings with it much uncertainty but don’t fear.
Our Menopause blood test measures over 30 data points to help you understand your hormone levels better and to help evaluate other key aspects of health, including nutrition, risk of heart disease, thyroid function and bone health.
Our Osentia Fracture Risk Assessment Test will assess your risk of suffering a fragility fracture early giving you the opportunity to reduce your risk and minimise the development of weak bones.
Other risk factors include a family history of osteoporosis, menopause, low body weight, poor diet, alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise and certain medical conditions.
REFERENCES:
- Honour JW. Biochemistry of the menopause. Ann Clin Biochem. 2018;55(1):18-33. doi:10.1177/0004563217739930
- El Khoudary SR, Aggarwal B, Beckie TM, et al. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;142(25). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912
- British Heart Foundation. Menopause and heart disease. Information & support. Published 2023. Accessed September 27, 2023. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/women-with-a-heart-condition/menopause-and-heart-disease
- Diabetes UK. Menopause and Diabetes. Life with Diabetes . Published 2023. Accessed October 6, 2023. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/menopause
- Föger-Samwald U, Dovjak P, Azizi-Semrad U, Kerschan-Schindl K, Pietschmann P. Osteoporosis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic options. EXCLI J. 2020;19:1017-1037. doi:10.17179/excli2020-2591
- Pinkerton J V. Menopause. MSD Manual. Published July 2023. Accessed October 17, 2023. https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/home/women-s-health-issues/menopause/menopause
- Tu KN, Lie JD, Wan CKV, et al. Osteoporosis: A Review of Treatment Options. P T. 2018;43(2):92-104.