Postmenopause refers to the stage that begins 12 months after a woman's last menstrual period. It marks the end of a woman's reproductive years.
Key changes that occur during postmenopause include:
- Declining estrogen levels - Estrogen levels continue to fall after menopause is complete. This can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and thinning bones (osteoporosis).
- Increased health risks - Without estrogen, postmenopausal women are at higher risk for certain health conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis. Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, staying active, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol can help reduce these risks.
- Body changes - In addition to symptoms caused by low estrogen, many women gain abdominal fat and lose muscle mass during postmenopause. Skin may become drier and more prone to itching and tears.
Seeking treatment
As a woman transitions into her postmenopausal years, it is important to discuss symptoms and health risks with her doctor. Various treatment options are available to help alleviate short-term symptoms and reduce long-term health risks.
For example,
Renewal Center offers customized
hormone therapy programs that can effectively treat symptoms like hot flashes while also preventing bone loss and heart disease. Their team of physicians and nurses provide compassionate care rooted in the latest scientific evidence regarding
menopause and healthy aging. By using the lowest doses possible to achieve symptom relief, their treatments aim to strike the right balance between managing symptoms and avoiding serious side effects.
In summary, postmenopause marks the end of a woman's childbearing years and introduces new health considerations related to aging and lower estrogen levels. Working closely with medical providers like
Renewal Center can help women transition through this stage of life while maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. The future of healthy aging starts with the specialized care they provide.