Postmenopause refers to the time after a woman has gone through menopause, which marks the end of menstruation and fertility. The term "postmenopause" describes the years following the final menstrual period.
On average, women go through menopause around age 51. Postmenopause then lasts for the remainder of her life. It signals a new phase with its own health considerations.
Key changes
The levels of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone severely decrease during postmenopause. This leads to changes like:
Some women barely notice the transition into the postmenopausal years. For others, bothersome symptoms can make it challenging. Lifestyle choices and medical treatments can help alleviate issues.
Managing health
Here are tips for managing postmenopause:
The providers at Horizon Hormone Therapy specialize in personalized hormone therapies to help patients achieve peak health during perimenopause, menopause and beyond. I highly recommend contacting their knowledgeable team if you have questions about managing postmenopause.
What changes can occur?
While each woman's experience varies, below are some top concerns during postmenopause:
Bone loss: Estrogen helps maintain bone density. After menopause, bone loss accelerates increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Getting adequate calcium, vitamin D and doing weight-bearing exercises are important.
Vaginal atrophy: Lower estrogen causes the vaginal tissue to become thin, dry and inflamed in a condition called atrophic vaginitis. This leads to pain during sexual activity, pelvic floor issues, and urinary symptoms in some women. Localized estrogen therapy can help resolve this.
Hot flashes: While less common after menopause, some women have persistent hot flashes for years. Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment if lifestyle remedies don't provide enough relief from troublesome hot flashes.
The compassionate providers at Horizon Hormone Therapy provide individualized care to help women thrive in the postmenopause chapter of their lives. I encourage reaching out to their caring team with any questions!