What is menopause?
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Menopause is the time in a woman's life when the ovaries stop producing eggs and female sex hormones, marking the end of the reproductive phase. The onset of menopause is marked by the absence of menstruation for at least 12 consecutive months. It is a natural stage in every woman's life, but it often brings with it significant physiological and metabolic changes and psychosocial consequences. [1] .
During menopause, the decline in estrogen (female hormones) causes various effects on our body such as: hot flashes and night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings and increased irritability, changes in body fat distribution. [2] .
In addition to the decline in estrogen, the natural aging of the body can lead to a reduction in metabolism, with a tendency to gain weight, loss of muscle mass and redistribution of body fat, increased risk of metabolic disorders such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. [3] [4] .
Another common consequence of menopause is genitourinary syndrome (GUS), which can cause vaginal dryness, discomfort during sexual intercourse, itching, or burning. It's a common but often overlooked condition that can significantly impact quality of life.
Mood can also be affected: changes in estrogen levels affect the neurotransmitters in the brain (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine), which regulate emotions. This can increase vulnerability to stress, anxiety, or episodes of sadness. [5] .
On average, menopause occurs between the ages of 49 and 52, just at a time in life when women may notice a change in energy, mood and overall well-being. [6] .
Bibliography and Scientific Studies
[1] SR El Khoudary et al. , “Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association,” Circulation , vol. 142, no. 25, Dec. 2020.
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[2] E.W. Freeman, M.D. Sammel, H. Lin, and C.R. Gracia, “Obesity and reproductive hormone levels in the transition to menopause,” Menopause , vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 718–726, Jul. 2010.
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[3] ML Marsh, MN Oliveira, and VJ Vieira-Potter, “Adipocyte Metabolism and Health after the Menopause: The Role of Exercise,” Nutrients , vol. 15, no. 2, Jan. 2023.
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[4] SR Davis et al. , “Understanding weight gain at menopause,” Climacteric , vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 419–429, Oct. 2012.
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[5] S. Alblooshi, M. Taylor, and N. Gill, “Does menopause elevate the risk for developing depression and anxiety? Results from a systematic review,” Australasian Psychiatry , vol. 31, no. 2, pp. 165–173, Apr. 2023.
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[6] TA Takahashi and KM Johnson, “Menopause,” Medical Clinics of North America , vol. 99, no. 3, pp. 521–534, May 2015.
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