Here's what menopausal women should take to slow down aging

What you should know

Menopause usually begins at the age of 50 years, but it can start earlier.

Menopause most often occurs as a result of natural changes in hormone levels. However, it can also be caused by surgical removal of the uterus, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and premature ovarian exhaustion syndrome (the ovaries cannot provide the necessary levels of female sex hormones).

During menopause, a healthy diet and physical activity help to avoid weight gain and cardiovascular complications.

Benefits of hormone therapy

Hormonal drugs help to

• alleviation of menopausal symptoms - reduction or complete elimination of hot flashes, sweating, irritability
• improvement of sleep quality
• elimination of dry mucous membranes in intimate areas
• prevention of osteoporosis - estrogens help maintain bone density
• improving skin and hair condition and slowing down the aging process
• support of cardiovascular health - drugs help to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol and increase the level of "good" cholesterol
• protection of cognitive functions - therapy can reduce the risk of dementia, improve concentration and memory

According to endocrinologist Olesia Pidmurniak, the prescription of hormone replacement therapy is based on age, general health, and comorbidities.

The duration is determined individually and, with the right approach, can significantly improve a woman's quality of life.

Complications after menopause

Heart and vascular diseases

If estrogen decreases, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men. Therefore, it is important to exercise regularly, follow a healthy diet, and maintain a normal weight.

Osteoporosis

This condition causes bones to remain fragile and weak, leading to fractures. In the first years after menopause, you can quickly lose bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.

Urinary incontinence

The vaginal and urethral tissues lose their elasticity, which causes a sudden and strong urge to urinate, which can develop into incontinence.

Weight gain

Many women gain weight during menopause and afterward due to decreased metabolism. In this case, you need to change your eating habits and exercise more.

Sources: Endocrinologist Olesia Pidmurniak's Instagram page and the website of the Center for Public Health and Doc.ua.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.