6 Major Health Risks Women Face After Menopause

As you enter menopause, it’s important to be aware of what your body is going through and how it will affect your health.

If you neglect to check your health every now and then, you are likely to face major health risks after menopause.

You must be aware of the changes that takes place in your body. It can also help you make informed decisions about how to stay healthy and active. 

Menopause occurs 12 months following a person's last period, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA)Trusted Source.

Perimenopause is the period preceding menopause. It is around this period that people begin to notice symptoms. These symptoms are caused by changing progesterone and oestrogen levels.

Although hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can help cure these symptoms, alternative therapies can also be used.
Menopause has a multitude of unpleasant side effects, some of which can be reduced with natural remedies. 

The average woman will experience menopause sometime between the ages of 45 and 55, depending on her family history, race, and genetics.
During this time, her estrogen levels will drop significantly as her ovaries begin to shut down.

 
This can have major effects on her health – physical, mental, and emotional – that last long after menopause has ended (which typically happens between ages 50 and 58). 

Since many women don’t talk about this transition with their peers or even their doctors, it’s easy to miss these warning signs of potential health risks until it’s too late.

1) Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of most common health risks women face after menopause. Because post-menopausal women are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes and other medical conditions linked to heart disease, women face a greater risk than men for cardiac problems.

 
Although it’s never too late to get help, educating yourself about your symptoms now can protect you from facing serious health hazards. 

Asking questions with your doctor is especially important if you have a family history of heart disease.
The onset of menopause can be a stressful time, but it also introduces new health risks that women need to be aware of.

 

2) Osteoporosis
One common problem, osteoporosis, is an age-related disease that can lead to brittle bones and fractures. Because postmenopausal women lose bone mass much faster than before menopause, their bodies are at higher risk for developing osteoporosis.

If you’re going through menopause, you should try and eat calcium-rich foods like leafy greens and dairy products to help protect your bones from breaking down too quickly.

3) Anxiety and Depression
Health risks associated with going through menopause can include anxiety and depression, both of which are common in women and can be very hard to deal with. 

However, there are medications you can take and counseling that may help treat these conditions.
These health issues can affect all aspects of your life including: your relationships, health, and social life. 

Depending on how bad your symptoms are, you should see a doctor about anxiety or depression treatment as soon as possible.

You don’t have to suffer from these issues for years! If you find yourself unable to cope at home or with family members or friends around then go seek professional help from a counselor who will be able to diagnose any underlying physical or psychological causes of these problems.

4) Autoimmune Diseases
A number of medical conditions, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes, are linked to inflammation. After menopause, women tend to experience more inflammation than men. 

That's why postmenopausal women have higher rates of arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Identifying and controlling your triggers is one way to prevent these conditions from becoming severe enough to require treatment.
 
5) Weight gain
One of those unexpected side effects of menopause is weight gain. Hormone levels fluctuate throughout menopause, meaning that many women struggle with cravings and other health issues as a result. 

Weight gain is often a result of increased appetite, especially for carbohydrate-rich foods such as pastries and chips, as well as fat.

If you’re struggling with these hunger issues on top of shifting hormone levels, talk to your doctor about potential medications that could help stabilize your system during menopause. 
He or she might be able to prescribe something that will ease any additional health risks associated with your changing hormones.

6) Urinary Incontinence
During menopause, women may experience a decline in their muscle tone and strength. This can lead to urinary incontinence, a medical condition where involuntary urination occurs. 

According to WebMD, urinary incontinence most commonly happens when you cough, sneeze or lift something heavy. It's more common in older adults but can happen at any age.

Conclusion
The six major risks that women face post-menopause are: hormone imbalances, bone loss, depression, cardiovascular disease, weight gain and urinary incontinence.
While there are many options for dealing with each of these conditions, one thing is certain: life does not stop at menopause. 
By taking a proactive approach to staying healthy in your 50s and beyond, you will be able to live a more satisfying life than ever before!