Menopause is the stage of life when a woman’s menstrual periods come to an end and she can no longer become pregnant naturally.

So, what changes occur in a woman’s body during menopause, and what causes them?

Menopause is a normal and natural part of aging that typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.

Of course, menopause can also occur as a result of surgery to remove the ovaries or uterus. In the UK, the average age at menopause is 51.

What Causes the Changes?

The physical changes associated with menopause are largely caused by changes in hormones, particularly estrogen.

Each month, the lining of the uterus thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining breaks down and is shed from the body as a menstrual period.

As women age, however, the number of eggs in the ovaries gradually declines, eventually leading to the end of ovulation, menstruation, and the ability to become pregnant.

The production of estrogen, which plays a key role in regulating this entire process, also gradually declines. This does not happen overnight.

It can take several years for estrogen levels to fall significantly. Once estrogen production begins to decline, however, it generally does not return to its previous levels.

How Hormonal Changes Affect the Body

The brain, skin, muscles, and emotions can all be affected by declining estrogen levels.

A woman’s body can change considerably during this time, and many women begin experiencing these changes even before their periods stop completely.

Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, anxiety, low mood, and reduced interest in sex are common symptoms.

Bladder problems and vaginal dryness can also occur during this stage.

Once estrogen production has declined substantially, there can also be long-term effects on bone health and the heart.

This is one reason hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which replaces some of the hormones the body is no longer producing, may be offered to women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

Of course, not every woman experiences these symptoms. Their severity, duration, and timing can vary considerably—from several months to several years.

Why Do Hot Flashes Happen?

Hot flashes are also linked to declining estrogen levels. Estrogen affects the part of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature.

Normally, the body responds appropriately to changes in temperature. When estrogen levels fall, however, the body’s temperature-regulating system can become more sensitive and unstable.

As a result, the brain may mistakenly interpret a normal body temperature as excessive heat, triggering a hot flash.

Estrogen and Mood

Estrogen can have a significant effect on mood.

The hormone interacts with chemical messengers and receptors in the brain that help regulate mood. When estrogen levels decline, some women may become more anxious or experience low mood.

A lack of estrogen can also affect the skin. It may become dry, and some women may even experience an unusual sensation similar to insects crawling beneath the skin.

Progesterone and testosterone are also involved in the changes that occur during menopause.

However, the effects of these hormones differ from those associated with declining estrogen levels.

Progesterone helps prepare the body for pregnancy each month, and its production also declines when menstruation stops.

Women produce testosterone in smaller amounts than men, and it is associated with sexual desire and energy. Testosterone levels begin to decline after the 30s, although only a small number of women may require testosterone supplementation.

How Can Menopausal Symptoms Be Managed?

A blood test can be used to measure levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

However, for women over 45, this test is not always particularly reliable.

Experts explain that hormone levels fluctuate constantly and can change several times even within a single day.

Therefore, a single blood test may not accurately show what is happening in the body.

The best approach is often to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional about changes in your menstrual cycle and the symptoms you are experiencing.

It is important to understand which symptoms to watch for. Changes in mood, such as feeling low or becoming irritable, deserve just as much attention as night sweats and hot flashes.

Changes in menstrual patterns—such as heavier or irregular periods—can be among the first signs that menopause is approaching.

However, even if a woman has gone 12 months without a period, it is important to consider her age, symptoms, and medical history when determining whether she has reached menopause.

Conclusion

Estrogen levels do not return to their premenopausal levels after menopause. As life expectancy increases, women may spend as much as one-third of their lives experiencing the effects of lower estrogen levels.

However, Dr. Heather Currie, a menopause specialist, gynecologist, and former chair of the British Menopause Society, says there is no need to feel discouraged.

“Women are continuing to work well into later life, and they still look and feel great. The way we view menopause is changing,” she says.

She advises women experiencing menopausal symptoms to speak with a healthcare professional, learn as much as possible about the condition, and understand which symptoms may require medical attention.

Dr. Currie also emphasizes the importance of providing women with adequate support and information to help them cope with the physical and emotional changes associated with menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is currently recognized as one of the most effective treatments for menopausal symptoms.

Although there has been ongoing discussion about the long-term safety of HRT and the possibility of side effects, Dr. Currie argues that for many women, “the benefits outweigh the risks.”

She also notes that sharing experiences with other women going through similar symptoms can be helpful.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips During Menopause

Here are some ways women going through menopause can maintain a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and rich in calcium to strengthen bones and protect heart health.
• Exercise regularly to reduce anxiety and stress and help protect against heart disease.
• Quit smoking to reduce the risk of heart disease and help manage hot flashes.
• Limit or avoid alcohol to help reduce hot flashes.

Source: BBC (https://www.bbc.com/korean/news-48437102)