What is menopausal health?
Menopause represents a pivotal transition in a woman's life, marking the end of her reproductive years. This natural biological process typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, as a woman's body gradually reduces its production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. As life expectancy continues to increases globally, women are now projected to spend at least one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal stage. This demographic shift underscores the growing importance of menopausal health as a critical public health issue that requires greater attention and comprehensive care.
Menopausal health encompasses the multifaceted medical and well-being considerations related to this stage of a woman's life. It involves not only the physiological changes associated with the cessation of menstrual cycles and fertility, but also the emotional, psychological, and lifestyle adaptations that accompany this transition.
The key health issues can be categorized into:
Short-term health problems
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes, such as irritability, anxiety, and depression
Medium-term health problems
- Urinary incontinence
- Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure and heart disease
- Sexual health problems, including decreased libido and changes in sexual function
Long-term health problems
- Osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke
- Cognitive changes and increased risk of dementia
- Increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer
Reference
- World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Menopause. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause
- Cowell AC, Gilmour A, Atkinson D. Support Mechanisms for Women during Menopause: Perspectives from Social and Professional Structures. Women. 2024; 4(1):53-72. https://doi.org/10.3390/women4010005
- Rostami-Moez M, Masoumi SZ, Otogara M, Farahani F, Alimohammadi S, Oshvandi K. Examining the Health-Related Needs of Females during Menopause: A Systematic Review Study. J Menopausal Med. 2023 Apr;29(1):1-20. doi: 10.6118/jmm.22033. PMID: 37160298; PMCID: PMC10183767.
- Santoro N, Epperson CN, Mathews SB. Menopausal Symptoms and Their Management. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;44(3):497-515. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.001. PMID: 26316239; PMCID: PMC4890704.