“Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis
and osteoarthritis, cognitive decline and dementia,
depression, and cancer are the key diseases to address”.¹

Umbrella

What may the Postmenopause and Chronic Disease Umbrella include?

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

Postmenopause

How much of their lives will women be spending postmenopause?

On page two in Prevention of Diseases After Menopause: Introduction the authors elaborate on:

“As the world population increases, along with an increase in life expectancy, many millions of women will be spending a third or more of their lives after menopause”.²

Postmenopause and Chronic Disease

Is there an association between postmenopause and chronic disease?

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

“There can be an increased risk of some health conditions postmenopause, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, osteoporosis (weak bones) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). 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

According to the authors of Prevention of Diseases After Menopause:

“After menopause, several chronic diseases may emerge, usually by the sixth decade, and these include obesity and metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and arthritis, dementia and cognitive decline, and cancer. An important opportunity exists at the onset of menopause to prevent or attenuate these chronic diseases which have an onset approximately 10 years later”.⁴

Obesity

Is there an association between postmenopause and obesity?

The IMS note:

“Although women frequently report weight gain at midlife, studies across different populations have consistently shown that weight gain is primarily influenced by age, not menopause”.⁵

The authors of Prevention of Diseases After Menopause explain:

“Obesity is a growing world-wide problem, which exacerbates many chronic disease states. In women, the altered distribution of fat that occurs at menopause leads to an increase in insulin resistance, and the incidence of diabetes has risen exponentially. This increase, in turn, translates into an increased risk of CVD and death, with the impact being greater in women than in men”.⁶

Cardiovascular Disease

Is there an association between postmenopause and cardiovascular disease?

In Postmenopause: Prevention – Are There Any Health Risks Associated With Postmenopause? Cardiovascular Disease the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

Osteoporosis

Is there an association between postmenopause and osteoporosis?

In Prevention: Healthy Bones, Build Them for Life the (United States) Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation explain:

“Osteoporosis and the broken bones it can cause are not part of normal aging. There is a lot you can do to protect your bones throughout your life. You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood. But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. Now is the time to take action”.⁸

The IMS note:

“Lifestyle and diet is the key strategy for preserving bone mass after menopause. Smoking and excessive alcohol use are toxic to bones and should be avoided. Moderate daily weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones and is recommended”.⁹

Osteoarthritis

Is there an association between postmenopause and osteoarthritis?

The IMS explain:

“While osteoarthritis is more common in men than women before menopause, it is higher in women after menopause. The identification of women with a family history of arthritis or those who are beginning to have stiff joints and immobility at the start of menopause is important and may allow for interventions, such as physical therapy, weight loss, physical exercise and anti-inflammatory agents. There is some data suggesting that estrogen may have a role in improving or decreasing the risk of osteoarthritis”.¹⁰

Dementia

Is there an association between postmenopause and dementia?

According to the IMS:

“Current evidence, unfortunately, does not strongly endorse any particular risk-reduction strategy but does support some approaches over others. Brain health should be bolstered through reducing cardiovascular risk factors; cognitive reserve should be increased through mentally stimulating activities associated with occupation, leisure activities and social engagement; and Alzheimer pathology should be attacked through regular aerobic physical activity. Depression should be recognised and treated, and women in their sixties or older should not start MHT. Research continues in this area”.¹¹

Cancer

Is there an association between postmenopause and cancer?

In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Is there any relationship between menopause and cancer? according to the North American Menopause Society:

“A. No, menopause itself doesn’t increase the risk of cancer. Cancers are more common as people age, however. Most cancers occur in people age 55 and older”.¹²

The IMS explain:

“With aging, the incidence of all cancers is expected to increase. For women, the most important cancers are breast, colon, endometrial, ovarian and lung cancer. Also, in the developing world cervical cancer is a major cause of death in women. Possible prevention of these cancers by lifestyle changes and appropriate screening gains more importance after menopause”.¹³

The IMS also note:

“Cessation of smoking and reduction in alcohol consumption are important to decrease the incidence of cancer. A lower fat, higher fibre, reduction in red meat diet is recommended; exercise has also been studied in clinical trials and is specified in the American Cancer Society Guidelines”.¹⁴

Chronic Diseases Prevention

How may chronic diseases be prevented?

In Chronic Disease: About Chronic Diseases – Preventing Chronic Diseases: What You Can Do Now – Prevention Steps and Strategies the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elaborate on:

Hormone Therapy

Should hormone therapy be used for the prevention of chronic disease?

No. On page four in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to prevent chronic disease?

If you would like help to prevent chronic disease, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The IMS explain:

“The menopause transition should be used as an opportunity to visit your healthcare professional for a check-up, assess potential risks and proactively start to manage later life. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, cognitive decline and dementia, depression, and cancer are the key diseases to address”.¹⁷

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