Welcome to Midlife
Your Journey to Feeling Better Begins Here
Menopause is not a disease; it’s a transition. let’s embrace change and learn how to feel well.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?! The hot flashes, weight gain, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain that have taken over your body are all normal symptoms of a loss of estrogen and hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause. Knowing how to manage these symptoms can be confusing and overwhelming. Access to resources can be even more frustrating.
At The Morning Pause, Courtney Wagner, Certified Health Coach, offers tailored health coaching with support and guidance and a toolkit to help you navigate your way through midlife feeling well. With personalized coaching sessions, you’ll be feeling better with a clear roadmap on how to manage your symptoms and get the resources you need to feel empowered to take control of your health.
Symptoms of Menopause
Health Risks of Menopause
often overlooked
-
Estrogen helps protects our bones. The loss of estrogen in women in menopause makes us more susceptible to developing osteoporosis. It’s important for you to know your risks and consider getting screened for a DEXA or bone densnty scan. Additionally, consider having a conversation with your menopause care provider about how hormone therapy options might be able to help.
-
Cardiovascular disease is a major health concern for menopausal women due to various physiological and hormonal changes that occur during this phase of life. Understanding the risks associated with menopause can help you with prevention and management strategies and quite literally save your life.
It’s SO important to know your risk factors!
Estrogen Decline:
Estrogen has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. It helps maintain healthy blood vessel function and heacthy holesterol levels. During menopause, the drop in estrogen levels can lead to increased LDL (bad cholesterol) and decreased HDL (good cholesterol), contributing to atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries)
Increased Blood Pressure:
Postmenopausal women often experience an increase in blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke .
Metabolic Changes (weight gain)
It’s common for women to experience weight gain and changes in fat distribution, especaally around the belly. This visceral fat is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
Insulin Resistance:
Menopausal women are at a higher risk of developing insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease .
Lipid Profile Changes:
Menopause can lead to increased levels of triglycerides and a shift towards a more atherogenic lipid profile, increasing the risk of plaque formation in arteries.
Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction:
Postmenopausal women may see higher levels of inflammatory markers, which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events .
Lifestyle Factors
Physical Inactivity: It’s not uncommon for women to become less active as we age, which can further increase the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease.
Diet and Smoking: Poor nutrition and smoking can also significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in anyone, especially menopausal women .
-
The relationship between menopause and cognitive decline, including the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, is an area of active research.
Hormonal Changes: We know that estrogen has neuroprotective effects, meaning it helps protect the brain from damage and supports cognitive functions such as memory and executive function. The decline in estrogen during menopause can therefore impact cognitive abilities.
Symptoms of Cognitive Decline: "Brain fog," memory loss and difficulty concentrating are not uncommon during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages. These symptoms can vary in severity and may be temporary for some women.
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Risks:
Research suggests that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia may be higher in postmenopausal women. This increased risk is partly attributed to the loss of estrogen, which is believed to play a role in protecting brain health.
Estrogen and Brain Health:
Estrogen is thought to influence the production of neurotransmitters, the regulation of synaptic plasticity, and the reduction of oxidative stress in the brain. With lower estrogen levels post-menopause, these protective mechanisms are less effective.
Research and Interventions
Hormone Therapy (HT):
Some studies have examined whether HRT can mitigate the cognitive decline associated with menopause. The results are mixed, with some studies suggesting potential benefits if HT is started around the time of menopause, while others indicate limited or no benefit, particularly if started later in life. I have a lot to say about this!
Lifestyle Factors:
Regular exercise or movement, adopting a healthy diet, staying mentally active, and managing cardiovascular risk factors are also good practices to support brain health and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Ongoing Research:
Scientists continue to investigate the precise mechanisms by which menopause and hormonal changes affect the brain, as well as exploring new strategies for prevention and treatment. This includes research into non-hormonal treatments and lifestyle interventions that may support cognitive health in postmenopausal women.
There is no debate that we desperately need more research in women’s health and menopause.
