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The painful cramps, excessive mood swings, spotting, and nausea, these symptoms are everything that makes menstruation a not-so-favourite time of the month for most women. If you are familiar with the struggle, there would have been times when you wished that your periods could stop.
Periods can stop though. But generally, they do stop because of two reasons, you are either pregnant or you have entered menopause. If you are in your 40s or 50s and are not getting your periods anymore, chances are high that you have hit menopause.
While you would know what happens inside your body when you are on your period, do you know what happens during menopause? Do you know what goes inside your body? Or the effect of menopause and various symptoms you would probably experience?
If not, sit back, and read along. This blog post will brief you about the changes your body goes through during menopause.
The effects of menopause
Before we discuss the effects of menopause in detail, it’s important to establish that if you haven’t had your periods for several months now and you are in your 40s or 50s, it may not necessarily mean you have hit menopause. You officially enter menopause when it has been 12 months after your last period.
As you would know that menstruation is the time when the body prepares itself to get pregnant. On the contrary, menopause is the time when a woman becomes infertile; i.e., she can no longer become pregnant. This is the time when a woman’s body stops producing eggs required for reproduction. The result? No periods.
While menopause brings a significant change to the reproductive system, it also brings other changes in the body – all thanks to the hormonal changes inside the body. For instance, the body stores fat more easily, and begins using energy differently, increasing the possibilities of weight gain. In addition, you can also experience changes in your heart health, bone health and physical function. Certain lifestyle experiences such as sleep deprivation, and loss of libido may also be experienced.
It’s time we talk about these changes at length.
Cardiovascular changes
Oestrogen plays a crucial role during the reproductive cycle, it’s responsible for releasing an egg. But apart from that, it also protects cardiovascular health. As the production of oestrogen declines during menopause, it can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, its decreased levels can also affect cholesterol, increasing the risk of strokes or heart attacks.
Bone health
Oestrogen levels fall at the time of menopause, leading to increased bone loss. In case, your peak bone mass before menopause is less than ideal, bone loss can also lead to osteoporosis. Menopause can also speed up muscle loss. Consequently, it is possible that your joints become stiff and achy. Regular exercise, including strength training sessions, and a high protein diet can reduce the loss of muscle mass and bone density. It may also relieve joint pain.
Poor bladder control
Menopause can come with immune and excretory changes. Frequent urination throughout the day or while you sleep can also be one of the effects of menopause on the body. This is caused by the fall of oestrogen levels in the body.
Poor bladder control can also interfere with sleep, leading to sleep deprivation.
Mood swings
If you hated your periods because of the constant mood swings you experienced during that time, you might be disheartened to know that menopause doesn’t provide any relief from constant mood swings either. As per studies, it is observed that you tend to feel irritated around the time of menopause. There’s no clear reason as to why it happens, but the possible causes are stress and hormonal fluctuations.
Vaginal health and sexuality
One effect of menopause is that your vagina can become drier owing to a lower level of oestrogen. This can make sexual intercourse highly uncomfortable. Consequently, you can experience a change towards how you feel about sex, such as losing interest.
Closing thoughts
Menopause is a significant milestone in a woman’s life that brings about numerous changes in her body. From the decline in hormone production to the emergence of new symptoms, the physical and physiological transformations during this transitional phase can vary greatly from woman to woman. While menopause may present challenges and discomfort, it is essential to remember that it is a natural and inevitable process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. By understanding and embracing these changes, seeking appropriate medical guidance, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, women can navigate the journey through menopause with greater ease and embark on a new chapter of their lives with confidence and vitality. Remember, menopause is not the end; it is a transformative beginning, symbolising strength, resilience, and the power of womanhood.
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