Menopause Body Changes

“Physical changes associated with menopause
and ageing include changes in body shape. Shifting weight
from the hips to the central tummy area, drier skin…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Body Changes Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Changes
  • Menopause and Body Changes

Perimenopause

During perimenopause what changes may women experience?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. What symptoms might I expect as I approach menopause? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. Each woman’s menopause experience is different. Many women who undergo natural menopause report no symptoms at all during the perimenopausal years except for irregular menstrual periods that eventually stop once they reach menopause. Other symptoms may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Not all these symptoms are hormone related, and some, such as hot flashes and memory problems, tend to resolve after menopause. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time of transition is essential for your health and can even prevent or alleviate some of these symptoms”.2

Postmenopause

Postmenopause, what changes may women experience?

In Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause the (Scottish) NHS Inform note:

“In postmenopause, symptoms of menopause may have eased or stopped entirely, but some women continue to have symptoms for longer.

The change in your body’s hormones however is a sign to keep looking after your health and wellbeing, and be mindful to listen to your body.

There can be an increased risk of some health conditions postmenopause, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, osteoporosis (weak bones) and urinary tract infections (UTI’s). So it is important to have a healthy diet and lifestyle, and to go for your regular cancer screenings such as cervical (smear test) and breast”.3

Body Shape

Is there an association between menopause and changes in body shape?

In Body Image: Menopause & Body Image the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

Menopause Body Image“Physical changes associated with menopause and ageing include changes in body shape. Shifting weight from the hips to the central tummy area, drier skin, decreased muscle tone and hot flushes change how you feel, how you think about and the actual shape of your body.

Some women talk about losing control of the body they always thought they could control and rely on. Other women find greater confidence in who they are because they are less driven by worrying about whether their body is ‘perfect’ as they enter this stage – “I can let go of the need to be perfect, to compete with the youngies and just be me””.4

Migraine

Is there an association between migraine and menopause?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. I’ve been having headaches lately. Is this a symptom of menopause? the NAMS elaborate on:

“Hormonal headaches typically stop when menopause is reached and hormone levels are consistently low”.5

Endometriosis

Is there an association between endometriosis and menopause?

In Endometriosis: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms During Menopause the JH explain:

“Usually, endometriosis does go away after menopause. Uncommonly, it can return with the use of menopausal hormone therapy, or MHT (formerly called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT), especially if there is no progestogen component. Even more rarely, it can return for no reason without any hormonal treatment”.6

Fibroids

What are fibroids?

DotS the definition of fibroids may vary. In Uterine Fibroids the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Treatment for uterine fibroids depends on your symptoms”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with some body changes?

If you would like help with some body changes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause Body Changes?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Body Changes?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Body Image: Menopause & Body Image. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 20 January 2023
  2. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. What Symptoms Might I Expect As I Approach Menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 20 January 2023
  3. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause. Last Updated: 20 October 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/after-the-menopause Accessed: 20 January 2023
  4. Body Image: Menopause & Body Image. Last Updated: 14 January 2020 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 20 January 2023
  5. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. I’ve been having headaches lately. Is this a symptom of menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 20 January 2023
  6. Endometriosis: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms During Menopause. Last Updated: 04 June 2021 | Last Reviewed: 15 May 2019. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/symptoms-causes Accessed: 20 January 2023
  7. Uterine Fibroids. Page Last Updated: 19 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids Accessed: 20 January 2023
Topic Last Updated: 03 February 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 20 January 2023

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