Menopause signifies the end of your periods, but it also indicates the beginning of a whole lot of serious health woes. Although symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness are quite common, menopause also causes severe changes in the body due to hormonal changes. Here is how reduction in the level of estrogen hormone might affect you.
Weight gain: Ever wondered why most women tend to put on weight as they hit menopause? Well, don't blame it on the hormones alone, although estrogen plays a key role in regulating body weight. According to Dr Swati Dave, Nutritionist and Dietician, Ahmedabad, as you hit menopause, your muscle mass declines which also slows down your metabolic rate. So consuming high-calorie food and lack of physical activity, coupled with low estrogen level as you age leads to deposition of fat, thereby causing the weight gain. Moreover, body fat distributes itself around the central abdominal region and also on the hips and breasts. Here are few more reasons why weight gain during menopause is dangerous.
Heart disease: Although the exact reason of increased coronary heart disease in women after menopause is not known, studies suggest that there is a correlation between the two. Because as you age, your cholesterol levels including LDL and triglycerides along with blood pressure increase, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Also, after menopause, the protective HDL cholesterol decreases, thereby further increasing your risk of heart disease. A study published in the Journal of Indian Medical Association suggested that as the estrogen production decreases in menopausal women, the risk of heart disease is high [1].
Osteoporosis: Not many women are aware of the fact that bone density starts to decrease during menopause. As estrogen plays a key role in bone formation, deficiency of this hormone leads in increased bone resorption and weakening of bone [2]. And thus, your chances of suffering from osteoporosis increasing as you hit menopause.
An effective way to lower your risk of these common lifestyle conditions as you hit menopause is to lead an active lifestyle and include foods rich in estrogen in your diet. Here are seven estrogen rich foods every woman should eat during menopause.
References
- Bulliyya G. Risk of coronary heart disease in women after menopause. J Indian Med Assoc. 2001 Sep;99(9):478-80, 482. PubMed PMID: 12018552.
- Nordin BE. Calcium and osteoporosis. Nutrition. 1997 Jul-Aug;13(7-8):664-86. Review. PubMed PMID: 9263260.