What is postmenopause?
Postmenopause is the stage of life after a woman has gone through menopause, which is the permanent end of menstruation and fertility. It signals the end of a woman's reproductive years.
The transition into postmenopause begins when a woman has gone 12 full months without a menstrual period. At this point, she has reached menopause. Postmenopause is the time beyond that one-year mark.
During the perimenopausal transition leading up to menopause, a woman may experience irregular periods, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms often continue into the early postmenopausal period but generally improve with time.
What changes can a woman expect after menopause?
In postmenopause, a woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This leads to changes throughout the body:
- Vaginal and urinary changes - With less estrogen, many women experience vaginal dryness, irritation, and urinary symptoms like urgency or incontinence. These can increase risk for infections.
- Bone loss - Estrogen helps maintain bone density. So less estrogen leads to accelerated bone loss and higher osteoporosis risk.
- Heart disease risk - Loss of estrogen is associated with unfavorable changes in cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This raises cardiovascular disease risk.
- Body changes - Many women notice weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, and slower metabolism after menopause. Changes in fat storage and muscle mass contribute.
- Emotional health - Hormone changes can contribute to symptoms like depression, anxiety, irritability, and trouble focusing and remembering. For some women these are significant; for others they are mild.
What can help manage postmenopause?
The good news is that women can take steps to stay healthy after menopause:
- Hormone therapy - Systemic estrogen or progesterone treatment can help relieve hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, bone loss, and urinary issues. This is a key treatment for managing menopausal symptoms.
- Healthy lifestyle - Eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, not smoking, and limiting alcohol help reduce heart disease and osteoporosis risk. Weight-bearing exercise is great for bone health.
- Vaginal estrogen - Local low-dose vaginal estrogen treats genitourinary symptoms effectively with minimal systemic effects.
- Emotional health support - Counseling, stress management, mindfulness practices, and/or antidepressant medication can help with mood issues when needed.
- Routine care - Getting recommended health screenings and vaccines, seeing the doctor regularly, and taking medications as prescribed promote wellness.
The caring medical team at Renew Medical Clinic understands the unique needs women face during the postmenopausal period. Our comprehensive care includes customized hormone therapy options to help you feel your best, screening and treatment for osteoporosis, and emotional wellbeing support. We're here to guide you through this transition and optimize your health. Give us a call today to learn more!