Day 36: Menopause and Health

We know that menopause is a natural process that occurs in every woman’s life. We generally think, OK, my period will end and that will be it. Right?

Well, that is only part of the story.

The fact is, as soon as the body gets that first signal, changes start. In the very early years of the menopausal process, starting with perimenopause, your body is already starting to undergo changes that will have long-term implications as you move into middle adulthood and beyond. Hormones are starting to fluctuate. Hormones regulate so many bodily functions. They can even influence your mood!

Your cycle may be becoming more irregular or you may start to experience some gynecological problems. You might start to notice some changes in your mood or energy levels. These changes can impact how you’re feeling physically. You may find it harder to recover from things. You may find it harder to tolerate discomfort. And that can weigh on you leaving you feeling sad or defeated especially if you haven’t had the “you’re in perimenopause” talk with your healthcare provider yet. Some women are shocked to learn they are at that place. While these changes may not seem significant now, they set the stage for what comes later.

As you move to menopause, your body is pretty much out of estrogen. Because your sex hormones play important roles in so many of the body’s functions, related health concerns start to arise now. You really have to pay attention now. Bone health, heart health, brain health all become more of an issue now because hormones matter.

Post-menopause is also the time in later life where you will have health issues related to simply aging. We will talk more about that in the next section but know that even if you choose hormone replacement, you are not exempt from the normal health issues related to aging.

Another aspect of menopause and health involves the mind-body connection. We’ve talked a lot about the physical and cognitive (thought) aspects of menopause but there is also an emotional component to the journey to menopause. It’s easy to separate mental from physical on paper. In reality, health is an intricate relationship between mind and body.

We hear “mind-body” connection but what does that really mean? In a nutshell, it means what affects one intrinsically affects the other. For example, if you’re experiencing a lot of emotional stress, chances are you may also experience physical symptoms like random aches and pains, stomach trouble, insomnia, etc. If you’re experiencing a physical illness, say fibromyalgia (very common for women), you may also experience episodes of depression or anxiety that are not due to a mood disorder but rather are directly related to the experience of the medical issue.

Basically, we are a complex system and change affects us on every level. As we age, changes happen that we just have to be aware of, be responsive to and manage as best we can.

Because menopause and health go hand-in-hand, it is important to have a good relationship with a trusted healthcare provider. Ideally you want someone who knows you and guide you through your journey. You shouldn’t and don’t have to travel the road alone. As you experience changes, they may not immediately make sense but might be really important. Having a good provider on board can give you peace of mind that if or when you need help, they are there to guide you.