Table of contents:
- 1. Diabetes
- 2. Autoimmune conditions
- 3. Joint pain
- 4. Hepatitis C
- 5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- 6. Heart and blood vessel disease
- 7. Vaginal atrophy
- 8. Urinary incontinence
- 9. Gum disease
Post-menopause is a very difficult time for women. Why? Because there are many diseases that are "waiting" for you to arrive at menopause, due to reduced estrogen, a hormone that is very important for women, especially in reproduction.
"Estrogen protects a number of systems in the body, such as the brain, skin, vagina, bones, and heart," explains Michelle Warren, MD., Health director of the Center for Menopause, Hormonal Disorders and Women's Health in New York. "When you get rid of that estrogen, there will be profound aging of their entire system, especially the liver and bones."
Unfortunately, there are so many women who don't pay attention to it and even ignore it. To find out what diseases can appear in postmenopausal women, let's look below.
1. Diabetes
"Low estrogen can increase insulin resistance and trigger the desire to snack, which causes weight gain, so it is more likely to suffer from diabetes," said Warren. You will be more susceptible to diabetes if you already have heredity for diabetes, history Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (related to insulin resistance), gestational diabetes, or being overweight. American Diabetes Association recommends that women have a regular check-up every 3 years, starting at age 45, especially if they are overweight.
2. Autoimmune conditions
Women are more likely to suffer from autoimmune disorders than men, and menopausal women are particularly vulnerable to the condition. The risk of developing autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, scleroderma, and thyroiditis increases post menopause, according to a study in the journal. Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, although the reasons are not clear.
While experts don't know exactly why, recent research has focused on a subset of immune cells that pump out antibodies, and bind to and attack body tissues. The results, according to a 2011 study, have found higher levels in female mice and in people with autoimmune diseases.
3. Joint pain
According to North American Menopause Society, stiff and sore joints will occur with aging, but this complaint tends to be experienced by postmenopausal people. Inflammation caused by hormonal changes can be the cause. "Estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect, so when the body is deficient in estrogen, there is a greater inflammatory response," says Warren. The link between estrogen and inflammation has been stated in studies, so hormone replacement therapy can relieve joint pain.
4. Hepatitis C
Researchers from Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that women who contract persistent hepatitis C (which lasts 6 months or more) are postmenopausal women. Experts suspect that estrogen can protect the body from liver damage that can lead to chronic viral entry, so that if we lose estrogen we lose that protection, and the virus can do more damage.
5. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Estrogen plays a fairly large role in the bladder system, by maintaining tissue elasticity and strengthening the cells of the bladder wall to prevent bacteria from escaping. So, when estrogen is reduced, you may be able to experience certain urinary symptoms, including a higher risk of a UTI. A 2013 study from the Washington University School of Medicine, confirmed that UTIs were more common after menopause, with ¼ women having recurrent infections.
6. Heart and blood vessel disease
When estrogen levels drop, the risk of developing heart disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men. So, it's important to get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and maintain a normal weight.
7. Vaginal atrophy
Without estrogen, you can experience thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls, also known as vaginal atrophy. Symptoms include a hot, itchy vaginal discharge, and painful sex, plus an urgency to urinate and painful urination.
8. Urinary incontinence
When the vaginal and urethral tissues lose elasticity, you may often experience a sudden, strong urge to urinate. This is usually followed by uncontrolled passing of urine (urinary incontinence), or passing urine when you cough, laugh or lift something (stress incontinence).
9. Gum disease
As estrogen levels decline during the postmenopausal decade, women are more likely to lose bone, including their teeth. It can put you at high risk for severe gum disease, and you can lose your teeth if left untreated. According to research, lower levels of estrogen can cause inflammatory changes in the body that can lead to gingivitis, an early state of gum disease.
