The signs of menopause can be characterised by a dramatic decrease in the amount of oestrogen produced by the ovaries and being as over 300 different types of tissue are known to respond to the hormone estrogen then the effects on the body can be diverse. Some of the main effects are mentioned below:
You May See An Increase in Bad Cholesterol Levels
You have two types of cholesterol in your body - good and bad. Pre menopause, women generally have more good cholesterol than bad. The good cholesterol will counteract the bad cholesterol, so the end result is positive. During menopause, and in particular the pre-menopause phase, women can start to lose the high levels of good (HDL) cholesterol. This allows the bad cholesterol (LDL) to rise in relation to the HDL levels, which in turn brings increased risk of heart disease. So keep tabs on your HDL and LDL levels and eat healthily to keep your good cholesterol levels up.
Estrogen and its Impact on Heart Disease.
Scientific research has concluded that one of the roles of estrogen is to keep blood vessels flexible and healthy. So when oestrogen levels decline in the pre-menopause stages, blood vessels can start to harden. This can bring on conditions such as high blood pressure and lead to heart disease if not managed.
Hot Flashes Could Be On Their Way
Again these are caused by fluctuations in the amount of oestrogen that is produced by the body. They start with a rise in body temperature which causes the small blood vessels that are close to the skin’s surface, mostly in the neck and face but sometimes the chest area as well, to dilate so that the excess heat is released through the skin. The duration and severity of hot flashes differs greatly between individuals however it is estimated that over 75% of menopausal women suffer at some point before their menopause is complete.
Breasts Can Become Larger and Firmer
Now this may not seem like too much of a hardship for some women (myself included), but it can have a negative impact on health for women who already have large breast, as it can lead to back and lower neck ache. The increase in size is usually caused by the glandular tissue of the breast (the tissue that produces milk) being replaced by connective tissue (as milk production is no longer required).
Risk of Incontinence
Estrogen is also known to help tone and stimulate the bladder and urinary tract. As estrogen levels decline, this can lead to urinary urgency or even loss of bladder control. I know this sounds bad, but it’s easily counteracted and is nothing to worry about. Simple daily exercises that help tone the pelvic area and/or natural remedies for menopause can solve the problem if it occurs.
Bone Density Decreases
A natural part of aging is that our bodies start to lose bone density. This is typically at a rate of 1% per year. Through menopause, women can lose between 2 and 4% bone density a year, which means you are more prone to bone fractures and at increased risk of osteoporosis. The good news is that there are many alternative and natural remedies that can eliminate this risk from the many signs of menopause.
