Key points:
- Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms during menopause.
- The bone system can be affected due to the decrease in estrogen production.
- Hormonal changes occur throughout a woman’s life and correct medical control will make this stage more bearable.
Menopause is the cessation of menstruation for a whole year, while climacteric is all the symptoms that you can have before, during, and after, says Dr. Vivian Cruz Minoli, an ob-gyn specialist at ABC Medical Center.
These changes usually occur due to hormonal adjustments that women undergo, which include the ovaries stopping producing eggs and consequently stopping producing the female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
“During menopause, a woman’s body produces less and less of the hormones called estrogen and progesterone. This usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause occurs when a woman does not have her menstrual period for 12 months in a row.”1
How does hormonal imbalance affect?
The changes that will be experienced in the face of hormonal imbalance can affect women physically, mentally, and socially; although this may vary from woman to woman and depending on the symptoms they have.
One of the most common symptoms during the climacteric is hot flashes, which include night sweats. You can also suffer irregularities during the menstrual cycle, that is, it comes early or every two, three, or even six months.
On the other hand, sleep disturbances are also common, so insomnia can occur.
Each of these hormonal changes may have repercussions on different organs or parts of your body, says Dr. Cruz. The bone system can suffer alterations such as osteoporosis, due to the decrease in estrogen production, which causes our bones to be weaker or more likely to fracture.
The skin can be affected as it will suffer from dryness; you may also feel vaginal dryness, which could decrease sexual desire.
The cardiovascular system is altered due to the presence of fat in the body, following the decrease in metabolic function. As a consequence, women can gain weight, and begin to accumulate fat in places where they previously did not, such as the abdomen or the hips, mainly.
Although all this may sound like a lot of changes, the fact is that everything can be solved, says Dr. Cruz. For this it is necessary to follow the following steps:
- See your gynecologist annually and, together, create a strategic plan to solve each of your problems.
- Improve your eating and exercise habits.
- Add hormone replacement therapy, if possible.
Throughout every woman’s life, hormonal changes will be present, and undoubtedly at some point, they will reach climacteric. But having the necessary advice and medical help can make this new stage bearable.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Gynecology Center we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuente:
Dra. Vivian Cruz Minoli – ob-gyn specialist at ABC Medical Center
https://youtu.be/7CF_mJo7iHw
1https://www.fda.gov/consumers/free-publications-women/la-menopausia-y-las-hormonas-preguntas-mas-frecuentes#:~:text=Durante%20la%20menopausia%2C%20el%20cuerpo,menstrual%20por%2012%20meses%20seguidos.
