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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
1/18
When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens ToYour
Body
BY CAT LAFUENTE / DEC. 29, 2020 1:02 PM EST / UPDATED: JAN.
4, 2021 1:25 PM EST
When you go through menopause, what happens to your body? If
you're a person who's spent a good portion of
your life with a menstrual cycle, chances are at some point
you're going to go through this signi�cant hormonal
change. And while some people might just stop menstruating, most
of us will have some, if not several, side effects
as our bodies shed the ability to reproduce (via the Cleveland
Clinic). For some, the change may be bittersweet,
reminding them of their children, but also that they'll have no
more as they grow older. But for others, it will be a
joyous occasion, as fertility was never a concern for them.
So how much do you know about menopause? Perhaps you learned
about it when your mother went through it,
which gave you a good idea of what to expect. But given that
everyone's body is different, there may be more you
need to know about venturing through this rite of passage. To
that end, when you go through menopause, this is
what happens to your body.
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https://www.thelist.com/author/catlafuente/https://www.thelist.com/224808/when-you-have-your-period-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15224-menopause-perimenopause-and-postmenopausehttps://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=CKiLjbNP4X6KCMdeFoPMP5ZamwAK4woPzYNiTlYKVDdmpkJKXDhABIOfA5yJgya6ui8Ck2A-gAfGquoYDyAEJ4AIAqAMByAMKqgSoAk_QaZU1BZpkB0ObReVpi646Y0npV-0qXr5fvsWejyRIDkkpvRExf9PSLbDQxw_rflDfeCMafK6HBYVCS6DjqaGALtoxTgaRWsZ42jU5aUKcb68A6XI3I4O8IFt4B0H9QAsu93Vr7yB1aB61sf96z27sCX3c5Fi19QMTJLxhyycQxWIfBV7Y2abt9kNIjPprW8AAnWmHHGY9iEo57ozUsNJscKACD2hYcvpQmvi45yuSBujeHS0gF_tPnprjRK1Ggi7TeFAJ05_ZT1ixga-KFYma55ipkePBq4tCY7d2G1xqDRhMTXA4Iev9Ga6SP5YSLshpb1UKgZ6ReTBFVwc4d8PU0XV21cD7MugSh8g4U0panO-jxB-LHC73BZ0uoD7vozsrybSCRMvbwASLv4Po5wHgBAGgBi6AB_fUxXmoB9XJG6gH8NkbqAfy2RuoB5SYsQKoB6XfG6gHjs4bqAeT2BuoB7oGqAfulrECqAemvhuoB-zVG6gH89EbqAfs1RuoB5bYG9gHANIIBwiAYRABGB2xCXhdAwhLHNqugAoDmAsByAsBgAwBuAwB2BMM&ae=1&num=1&cid=CAASEuRo89Is_QUi2WVaI1f0h37nQA&sig=AOD64_3W7lhnirJMVshmTb10l43dLxyscw&client=ca-pub-4737397056022073&nb=9&adurl=https://www.arthrozene.com/dynlp_ga.php%3Fh%3D9%26img%3D126%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIoujbwKiN7gIV1wJoCB1liwkoEAEYASAAEgK5LvD_BwEhttps://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=CKiLjbNP4X6KCMdeFoPMP5ZamwAK4woPzYNiTlYKVDdmpkJKXDhABIOfA5yJgya6ui8Ck2A-gAfGquoYDyAEJ4AIAqAMByAMKqgSoAk_QaZU1BZpkB0ObReVpi646Y0npV-0qXr5fvsWejyRIDkkpvRExf9PSLbDQxw_rflDfeCMafK6HBYVCS6DjqaGALtoxTgaRWsZ42jU5aUKcb68A6XI3I4O8IFt4B0H9QAsu93Vr7yB1aB61sf96z27sCX3c5Fi19QMTJLxhyycQxWIfBV7Y2abt9kNIjPprW8AAnWmHHGY9iEo57ozUsNJscKACD2hYcvpQmvi45yuSBujeHS0gF_tPnprjRK1Ggi7TeFAJ05_ZT1ixga-KFYma55ipkePBq4tCY7d2G1xqDRhMTXA4Iev9Ga6SP5YSLshpb1UKgZ6ReTBFVwc4d8PU0XV21cD7MugSh8g4U0panO-jxB-LHC73BZ0uoD7vozsrybSCRMvbwASLv4Po5wHgBAGgBi6AB_fUxXmoB9XJG6gH8NkbqAfy2RuoB5SYsQKoB6XfG6gHjs4bqAeT2BuoB7oGqAfulrECqAemvhuoB-zVG6gH89EbqAfs1RuoB5bYG9gHANIIBwiAYRABGB2xCXhdAwhLHNqugAoDmAsByAsBgAwBuAwB2BMM&ae=1&num=1&cid=CAASEuRo89Is_QUi2WVaI1f0h37nQA&sig=AOD64_3W7lhnirJMVshmTb10l43dLxyscw&client=ca-pub-4737397056022073&nb=0&adurl=https://www.arthrozene.com/dynlp_ga.php%3Fh%3D9%26img%3D126%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIoujbwKiN7gIV1wJoCB1liwkoEAEYASAAEgK5LvD_BwEhttps://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=CKiLjbNP4X6KCMdeFoPMP5ZamwAK4woPzYNiTlYKVDdmpkJKXDhABIOfA5yJgya6ui8Ck2A-gAfGquoYDyAEJ4AIAqAMByAMKqgSoAk_QaZU1BZpkB0ObReVpi646Y0npV-0qXr5fvsWejyRIDkkpvRExf9PSLbDQxw_rflDfeCMafK6HBYVCS6DjqaGALtoxTgaRWsZ42jU5aUKcb68A6XI3I4O8IFt4B0H9QAsu93Vr7yB1aB61sf96z27sCX3c5Fi19QMTJLxhyycQxWIfBV7Y2abt9kNIjPprW8AAnWmHHGY9iEo57ozUsNJscKACD2hYcvpQmvi45yuSBujeHS0gF_tPnprjRK1Ggi7TeFAJ05_ZT1ixga-KFYma55ipkePBq4tCY7d2G1xqDRhMTXA4Iev9Ga6SP5YSLshpb1UKgZ6ReTBFVwc4d8PU0XV21cD7MugSh8g4U0panO-jxB-LHC73BZ0uoD7vozsrybSCRMvbwASLv4Po5wHgBAGgBi6AB_fUxXmoB9XJG6gH8NkbqAfy2RuoB5SYsQKoB6XfG6gHjs4bqAeT2BuoB7oGqAfulrECqAemvhuoB-zVG6gH89EbqAfs1RuoB5bYG9gHANIIBwiAYRABGB2xCXhdAwhLHNqugAoDmAsByAsBgAwBuAwB2BMM&ae=1&num=1&cid=CAASEuRo89Is_QUi2WVaI1f0h37nQA&sig=AOD64_3W7lhnirJMVshmTb10l43dLxyscw&client=ca-pub-4737397056022073&nb=7&adurl=https://www.arthrozene.com/dynlp_ga.php%3Fh%3D9%26img%3D126%26gclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIoujbwKiN7gIV1wJoCB1liwkoEAEYASAAEgK5LvD_BwEhttps://adssettings.google.com/whythisad?reasons=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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
2/18
One of the most common and well-known side effects of menopause
is hot �ashes, as noted by Healthline. In a
nutshell, a hot �ash is when there's a sudden spike in your
temperature, which can make you feel �ushed, as well as
red in the face. So why exactly is that happening to your body?
"The fall in estrogen and menopause triggers a
response with your blood vessels that contribute to the hot
�ashes," OB/GYN Dr. Tara Scott told The List. "They
could also manifest as night sweats or just noticing you feel
hot all the time and can't wear a turtleneck anymore."
It's not just the shift in hormones that provokes hot �ashes;
rather, it's the change in your hormone levels and their
ratio to one another, says Scott. "Estradiol, produced when you
are ovulating, must be in balance with
progesterone," she continued.
Depending on the severity of your hot �ashes, there are several
treatments available, according to the Mayo Clinic.
One is to take estrogen, and another is to take an
antidepressant, which can lessen symptoms. But we won't judge
you for hugging a fan, either.
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Intercourse may become more painful
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/hrt-effects-on-bodyhttps://drtarascott.com/about-tara/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352795https://adclick.g.doubleclick.net/pcs/click?xai=AKAOjsvjg6sZcoMAFppuRP-824UdNjq_eGfnOstr_P5Ep03uZ3jCIYjyVffX3DOWwAvjjbZLJkzY87WdGyso2NUazJ-vtea6z0OftdHNIVASVmOFabpwC5qBbFF84DENLDrKhj9DGrwSGuzSBfdcrN5qVMlm--J-E5m1I-SDKQ9r66pL9RaFavBO_8O12OufsNJnahdkwvb_RAMRNhlopB6zZn8jG5tbg1DUZ1STC2-i5ZnVQl7REBfcFOIFq1eGmrUAwoANqDe_Oca1sEqgYBt9XDgGRJWqdM6LkxM4BYBvRFvsWVaBKjEy04ivbvaYEUk_iP8U_sbC7dCj_lhOYZsivE2F6NWxUGR3vTOhqKxqUabOKLCeEpQ5T9Kef8HY0aUzV9nnH4lbxXbGCVTeVyxL4TxDKDI7qwzmktvmYElQutUtik-PaiGRKC-Kv-iRBIRf2R9AGVNFxMLGSBL4BDMtQ7sqesabhNKezeJxUBPuTZxfxyGcGXOSlzIWl7r0BqU9X2yt_8q5OVUmxX1_207XKuGE4RLwwfvdokxm7b4IysVssqGFksyNHBkGisPIfEFk_u3DTkm7CvL7ZnJThhAPa81iuPdzl4hJeKHTMH1-TmoJpa0zEvMQsKwiShzU07DUA7HKYFDSkhAlDY4iwSdpSoToYSq0xpx0zcpnaTh7QtPj3dyMNE-VRpcQK2sBqCZTZfYRncW0hOVi1g1ZV1I6hXYjzox-8-OY6XBhsb4nDFei7PhNbb7ByFNDc-9lNh_Z0g-qPZY4aYIIxmVRyFQP-kW0Zx_H2fri_h8-fp7MGLfTl51rLPEHaY3ItlPEL0toJMIqhBtVOknKTf3F8GUJg7l5MrNjlm4yPYb5ZrHt_s0ey9KxaNI7C2ouCT7VLnCuTBa21Zzwg3EZhsQ7P1f1iN8fTJKOu_xWaF-Wn1bISIQBDoWVQLyp6OV-3_jt4hxdJPbey20A_aKAus5-27pBFMq0FhdXcd_Tkpr5p15Q7ayz3GIhkfd-a-s_6GzWqp1uI-MGYSHIv8C29-Odpxp0oF0Om_6do_w7VBJZZB1xvsK2bqHJi-krVYcnu3s8pmxPBeCREUakep_9-9rx86eNqoNMrrYt0rssw8Gp9K1Cd0VKn-vrzkcRerTPcsNRgmHuyWNuzCJh1e4Ep6S2jk4dA2g6qntBDHWJHP31moYf7T0TMS46qnr6yw&sai=AMfl-YSnluyePUoxwZmavjQaZJqbQbFLfc_y3j0pQV-LTtuvixL-he4DYw-etMOQMNe7AAdfnud7WZ62fq-l3WNME3Yw-7y4oSZFZMRyPfN-2KqWxWdaWJERFKlqlLMN2RO4YdQNxSc8xRFmV7Rmz8-eu7pIDyg3zs4ywrrw7hzXgDHy5bYDI5DNcB3hn58rQkc&sig=Cg0ArKJSzLtIKv5rhxnf&urlfix=1&adurl=http://www.geico.com/landingpage/go428/%3Fsoa%3D88757%26zip%3D%26dclid%3D%25edclid!https://www.thelist.com/
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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
3/18
One of the most important things you need to know about
menopause is that there are sexual side effects. That's a
reality that just might happen to your body, as noted by
clinical sexologist Dr. Ditza Katz. "You are entering a new
phase when your physical, emotional, and sexual health changes,"
she explained to The List. "Your vagina becomes
less elastic and more prone to cha�ng irritation, making
intercourse painful." You may also experience vaginal
dryness, according to the Mayo Clinic, one of the menopause
symptoms that no one prepares you for. That...
doesn't sound pleasant, especially if you have an active
intimate life.
Fortunately, Katz says that you're not necessarily resigned to a
fate of celibacy if you don't want to be. "Don't let it
go," she continued. "Sexual intimacy is important, and there are
solutions." And those solutions include moisturizers,
lubricant, suppositories, and estrogen pills or creams.
Additionally, regular intimate activity — with someone else or
even by yourself — can keep your vagina happy and healthy as
well.
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Your libido may increase or decrease when you go through
menopause
https://www.womentc.com/about/team/ditza-katz/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397https://www.thelist.com/60927/menopause-symptoms-one-prepared/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/expert-answers/vaginal-dryness/faq-20115086https://www.thelist.com/
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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
4/18
As you're probably already aware, the hormones in your body are
responsible for how much or how little you crave
intimacy, as noted by Medical News Today. It's not surprising,
then, that going through menopause will have an
impact on your libido, according to OB/GYN Dr. Alyssa Dweck,
INTIMINA's Sexual and Reproductive Health
expert. "Hormones including estrogen, progesterone and
testosterone are variable during the peri-menopausal
years and plummet with menopause," she shared with The List.
"Although libido is complicated for women, these
hormones are incredibly in�uential."
While this hormonal �ux can result in a decreased libido in
later stages of menopause, Dweck says that in earlier
stages, you might �nd yourself especially randy. "While this is
not universal, many women experience heightened
sexual drive during the peri-menopausal years, the four to eight
years prior to menopause which is by de�nition, 12
consecutive months of no menses," she
continued. "During this time, reproductive potential is
winding down." And
that's also when the baby fever might set in, so be aware of
that and plan accordingly.
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Your skin may change when you go through menopause
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324887https://www.intimina.com/blog/medical-advisory-board/https://www.healthdigest.com/235940/how-to-tell-if-youre-in-perimenopause/https://us-east-1.event.prod.bidr.io/log/clk/ie?ai=ChII_-_6uQwQihYY3LHagqmN7gISEgoJc2NoaXJlc29uEAIYHiDGAhoCaWU4ggFABkgBUgJpZWAAeh4SBAgCEAESBAgDEAESBAgEEAESBAgFEAESBAgBEAE=&audit_flag_wp=0.33&dest=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mskcc.org%2fcare-update%3futm_source%3dprogrammatic%26utm_medium%3dcpm%26utm_content%3d130%26utm_campaign%3d326%26pn_mapping%3dpn_1https://www.thelist.com/
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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
5/18
The hormonal changes that happen in your body when you go
through menopause don't just have an impact on
your libido. Rather, they can also have signi�cant impacts on
your skin, according to OB/GYN Dr. Kim Langdon, a
medical advisor for Medzino. You may develop "skin wrinkles due
to loss of estrogen — that leads to loss of
collagen," she told The List. And that "loss of collagen
and blood vessels can cause the skin to thin out, which leads
to irritation." This can also cause your breasts to sag, so make
sure you have good bras in your drawer to cope with
that.
That's not the end of the story when it comes to your skin,
unfortunately, as Langdon says you may want to keep
the lotion nearby. That's because going through menopause can
cause "dry skin, again due to lack of estrogen and
loss of collagen and oil production," she continued. Plus, you
might also �nd "hair growth in unwanted places like
the upper lip, chin, and lateral cheeks." Okay, we're really not
excited about these changes!
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Pack & ship all in one place
Consolidate and save, plus get free delivery!
You may feel more tired
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-langdon-m-d-41847610/https://www.medzino.com/us/https://www.thelist.com/
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1/8/2021 When You Go Through Menopause, This Is What Happens
https://www.thelist.com/303509/when-you-go-through-menopause-this-is-what-happens-to-your-body/
6/18
According to CNBC, working mothers are still doing most of the
chores at home, so it's no wonder so many of us
are so exhausted. But if you're already feeling tired, when you
go through menopause you may feel even more so, as
noted by OB/GYN Dr. Tara Scott. "First, the fall in estrogen
does cause a decrease in energy," she explained to The
List. "Next, the fall in androgens — DHEA and testosterone —
also in�uence your energy." And that alone can cause
you to drag during the day.
There's another factor at play when it comes to menopause and
exhaustion, as noted by Scott. "Also, estrogen and
progesterone have an affect on your thyroid, so that could also
contribute," she added. That's all the more reason to
take a nap, as that might help you feel more energetic (via the
Mayo Clinic). Of course, talk to your doctor if you're
really struggling.
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When you go through menopause, you may suffer from insomnia
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Speaking of feeling tired, according to the CDC, one in three
American adults aren't getting enough sleep at night,
which is seven or more hours a night. Unfortunately, your beauty
sleep might get interrupted more when you go
through menopause, says immunologist Dr. Lina Velikova. "Women
in menopause might experience sleeping
problems due to hormonal changes that happen during these
times," she revealed to The List. "Hot �ashes and night
sweats are frequently impossible to manage during night time,
and they can cause disturbed sleep, which can
further down spiral into every aspect of a woman's life."
While reaching for an extra cup of coffee might help you �ght
the Zs during the day, it's still important try to get as
best of a night's rest as possible. According to Healthline,
some ways you can do just that are tinkering with your
light exposure, managing your caffeine consumption, taking a
melatonin supplement, and being mindful of what
you eat and drink.
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When you go through menopause, your restroom habits may
change
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If you've never been pregnant, you might not think about your
pelvic �oor very often. But this hammock of muscles
inside of your pelvis supports some important organs, such as
your uterus, your bladder, and your colon, as noted
by Healthline. For this reason, having a healthy pelvic �oor is
super important.
However, when you go through menopause, that can impact your
restroom habits, according Dr. Rachel Gelman,
INTIMINA's Pelvic Floor Health Expert. "Hormonal changes during
menopause can impact pelvic �oor muscles
leading to things like urinary/fecal incontinence and pelvic
organ prolapse," she explained to The List.
So in order to keep your pelvic �oor strong and healthy, Gelman
recommends getting regular exercise. "Since these
muscles are supporting the pelvic organs, and providing core
stability, any type of exercise will engage the pelvic
�oor in some way," she continued. "So low impact cardio can be a
good start." She also recommends not straining
when you have a bowel movement and using a Squatty Potty if
needed. That can help you out a lot in the long run.
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You may gain weight during menopause
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Some of us are lucky enough to eat anything that we want and
never gain unwanted pounds. Those unicorns aside,
the rest of us de�nitely notice when we've put on a little
weight simply by looking at food. Well, no matter which
group you belong to, you may �nd your metabolism changing as you
go through menopause, according to
immunologist Dr. Lina Velikova. "Many women experience weight
gain during menopause due to hormone changes
and as a consequence of aging," she revealed to The List.
Yep, even on top of everything else, gaining weight will be
easier than ever.
Fortunately, Velikova says that you might not have to buy a
bigger pair of jeans after all. "However, weight gain is
avoidable even in this period," she continued. "You'll have to
put some extra effort into keeping it in check." That, of
course, means you'll have to adjust your diet and exercise
regimen in order to stave off the pounds.
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You may feel more anxious or depressed
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Mental illness is on the rise in the United States, as noted by
the CDC. In June of 2020, 31 percent of American
adults reported feeling of anxiety and depression, which is a
pretty staggering number. And unfortunately, if you're
going through menopause, that could be one of the causes. "Life
circumstances and stress during the menopause
years and general aging might contribute to feelings of anxiety
or depression," OB/GYN Dr. Alyssa Dweck shared
with The List. "Heart palpitations are a common complaint
associated with both hot �ashes and of anxiety." So even
if you've never struggled with these conditions, menopause may
make you more likely to.
If you already have a mental health diagnosis, going through
menopause is something to be concerned about, says
Dweck. "In addition, those with underlying depression might note
a worsening of symptoms during menopause,"
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she added. If you're concerned you may be experiencing this,
talk to your doctor.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-
273-TALK (8255) .
You may experience mood swings when you go through menopause
It's not just anxiety and/or depression that you may have to
contend with during menopause when it comes to your
mental health, according to immunologist Dr. Lina Velikova.
"Mood swings are a pretty common and pretty normal
side effect of menopause," she explained to The
List. "During menopause, women's bodies experience a decrease
in
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estrogen levels and more serotonin which should increase mood."
Hey, having a little extra serotonin sounds like a
pretty nice bene�t! After all, serotonin can make you happier
and help with your concentration and anxiety, as
noted by Healthline.
Still, there are other factors at play that can take your
emotions on a bit of a rollercoaster ride during menopause,
says Velikova. "However, other side effects of menopause such as
fatigue, irritability, and depression make it harder
to be upbeat every day and make mood swings a regular part of
the day," she continued. It is what it is, fam.
When you go through menopause, you may feel ill
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The hits keep coming. Yet another thing you may have to deal
with when you go through menopause is feeling ill.
And while you're not likely to contend with anything too severe,
as you may have in the past with morning sickness,
thanks to shifting hormone levels, things could get
unpleasant. "Your energy is related to the amount of
hormones
you have," OB/GYN Dr. Tara Scott told The List. "With the
decrease in estrogen and progesterone, and also
testosterone at menopause, you may experience joint and muscle
aches, fatigue, and brain fog."
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to keep these
symptoms in check, as noted by Healthline. For muscle
aches, you can take NSAIDs to mute the pain, as well as ice the
area to help any swelling go down. You can also do
some gentle stretches like yoga, which can bring you relief as
well. Your mileage may vary.
Your vision may change
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Another thing that's connected to the hormone levels in your
body is your eyesight. In fact, according to the The
North American Menopause Society, that's why you experience
changes to your eye health during parts of your
menstrual cycle as well as when you're pregnant.
Given that fact, it's not surprising that you may �nd yourself
having ocular issues when you're going through
menopause. According to OB/GYN Dr. Kim Langdon, "eye and/or
vision changes, including dry eyes" are possible
during menopause, as she explained to The List. That can also
include "dif�culty reading, but generally maintaining
the ability to see at a distance." Even the shape of your eyes
might change a bit, which can make contact lenses less
comfortable.
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It order to make sure your baby blues stay healthy as you age,
talk to your doctor. She can tell you about the various
eye drops that are available, as well as surgical procedures to
treat dry eye. And if you �nd your vision changing, it
may be time to hit up the drug store for some reading
glasses.
When you go through menopause, your bones may become more
fragile
The importance of bone health can't be overstated. That's
probably why your parents told you to drink your milk so
much when you were younger, as the calcium found in milk helps
your bones grow strong, as noted by Harvard
University.
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Additionally, when you go through menopause, it's as important
as ever to prioritize your bone health, says
immunologist Dr. Lina Velikova. "Women during and after
menopause are at risk of osteoporosis since low estrogen
levels coupled with the consequences of aging decrease the bone
mass, making them break down faster," she told
The List. And that can make bone injuries much easier to
sustain.
In order to preserve your bone health in menopause and beyond,
The North American Menopause Society
recommends that you get enough calcium and vitamin D, as well as
avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
Additionally, regular exercise at least a few days per week is
also encouraged.
You'll eventually stop menstruating
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The reason that people have a menstrual cycle to begin with is
to prepare the body for pregnancy, as noted by
Healthline. When you bleed once per month, that's the body
expelling the lining of the uterus if no egg is implanted
inside of it.
To that end, when you go through menopause, your body stops
preparing for pregnancy, according to OB/GYN Dr.
Alyssa Dweck. "Eventually ovulation ceases for all women, and
thus estrogen levels decline and no longer produce a
thick, lush lining of tissue in the uterus to prepare for
pregnancy," she shared with The List. "Menstruation will
naturally stop ... for this reason."
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While menopause may be a dif�cult time for some, for many people
it can be a relief, as you no longer need to buy
menstrual products and won't struggle with menstrual-related
problems. And while there's a lot about menopause
that's dif�cult, OB/GYN Dr. Christiane Northrup says it has its
perks. "You become far more intuitive, you are no
longer satis�ed with the status quo, and you �nd your voice in a
different way," she wrote in The Secret Pleasures of
Menopause (via WebMD). We're here for it!
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