LifestyleMuch More Than Hot Flashes: 8 Of The Most Bothersome Problems You Didn't Know Are Symptoms Of Menopause

Much More Than Hot Flashes: 8 Of The Most Bothersome Problems You Didn’t Know Are Symptoms Of Menopause

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycles. A diagnosis is made 12 months after the last menstrual period.. A moment that, although in the collective imagination is associated with women of advanced age, can occur from the age of 40. The mean age of onset in Spain stands at 48.7 years, according to Sanitas.

There are many physical, biological and environmental factors that condition this moment, as well as the signs and symptoms that can be experienced with menopause.

Have hot flashes and being irritable It is what first comes to mind when thinking about the withdrawal of the period due to age, but they are far from being the only problems that this process entails.

Irregular menstrual periods, vaginal dryness, or sleep problems They can indicate that this moment is approaching. The hormonal drop generated also impacts on the brain and memoryrepercussions on health that are not always known.

It is also important to know that menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other diseases, as well as having an impact on quality of life. So it is worth continuing to go to medical check-ups, including gynecological ones, during this stage.

To learn more about this process and be able to prevent its effects on your body, here are 8 symptoms of menopause beyond hot flashes that you may not have known about.

Brain fog and memory problems

A woman with a headache.

One of the lesser known symptoms of menopause is its effect on the brain. Brain fog, problems thinking, reasoning or remembering are some of the cognitive changes that can occur. Its onset encompasses perimenopause (period prior to menopause) and lasts up to 10 years.

It is estimated that it affects around two thirds of menopausal and perimenopausal women. These problems include Difficulty remembering people’s names or finding the right word In a conversation, describe an item in The Conversation. Attention and the ability to process new information may also be affected.

It could be related to estrogen levels or the interaction between hormone levels and neurotransmitters in people’s brains, describes a doctor in The Guardian. Stress and sleep problems may be another cause, point out from Harvard.

Improving rest habits, exercising and testing your mind are some of the Strategies that can help alleviate brain fog during menopause.

Mood disturbances and mental illness

Lady with depression in summerLady with depression in summer

During menopause, it is common to experience mood swings such as irritability, sadness, lack of motivation, aggressiveness, trouble concentrating, stress and depression.

As Australia’s 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being found, women describe a “on-off” phenomenon with sadness or irritability that can last from minutes to hours and resolve spontaneously, similar to what can be seen with PMS.

Research has shown that a reduction in estrogen can trigger or aggravate mental health problemsincluding bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression.

Lhe incidence of depression doubles during the menopausal transitionbeing the women who have fought in the past against this disease those who have the highest risk of recurrence,
warns Dr. Hadine Joffe, associate professor of Psychiatry in Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School.

Weight gain

Why your weight changes every dayWhy your weight changes every day

there is a general tendency to be more sedentary with age, and you continue to eat the same that can lead to weight gain with age. Also, muscle mass decreases over the years, slowing down the rate at which your body uses calories.

In women, in addition, certain physiological changes favor a gain of kilos. Several studies have indicated that with menopause is an accumulation of abdominal fat.

A correct intake of calcium, protein and vitamin B12 offers the nutrients to focus on to combat the most common changes caused by menopauseaccording to medical specialists.

Changes in hair texture

Brushing hairBrushing hair

A small 2022 study that evaluated the scalps of nearly 200 postmenopausal women found that more than 50% experienced hair thinning. Low self-esteem was also found in 60% of the participants, which increased with the severity of hair loss.

“Estrogen receptors are present in hair follicles, suggesting their association with the estrogen withdrawal at menopause which can affect hair growth“, the researchers wrote, collects NBCNews.

The symptoms of hair menopause they further include alteration of the quality and structure of the hair and increased growth of unwanted hair on the facial areas.

Dry and flaccid skin

woman taking care of facial skinwoman taking care of facial skin

The skin symptoms go more unnoticed than other symptoms of menopause. These lead to dryness and itching, thinner skin, wrinkles and sagging, poor wound healing, and reduced vascularity.

Estrogen is involved in the production of collagen, the protein that gives skin elasticity and youthful fullness, says Emily Hu, M.D., a clinical professor at the University of California at The Healthy. It also “promotes water retention and skin elasticity,” explains dermatologist Kiyanna Williams.

After 50 skin care should focus on giving hydration and flexibility, including elements such as retinol or vitamin C.

Changes in your sexual relationships

Senior couple in a jacuzziSenior couple in a jacuzzi

The decline in estrogen has a direct impact on sexual function. May decrease desire and make arousal more difficult. also make the vaginal canal becomes less elastic and experience drynesswhich can cause pain with penetrative sex, says Chris Kraft, director of clinical services at the Sex and Gender Clinic in the Johns Hopkins Medicine department of psychiatry.

brittle bones

bone-achebone-ache

Women are more prone to osteoporosis for several reasons: their peak bone mass is usually lower than that of men and bone loss accelerates with menopause. Which also makes them more vulnerable to fractures.

it suits increase calcium intake at this time, because as we age the absorption of this mineral decreases. In addition to dairy, It can be found in legumes, spinach or sardines.

Insomnia

low light insomnialow light insomnia

During menopause, the women tend to see their difficulty in falling asleep intensifiedwaking up, moreover, several times during the night or staying up late at night, clarify from the women’s unit of the Ruber Hospital

Hot flashes and sweating can contribute to this. Also the deficit progesterone, a hormone that has among its functions to participate in the control of sleep.

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