The female body in midlife

For many women, this time is associated with a lot of changes and is often experienced as challenging. Make sure you deal with it early on so that you are not taken completely by surprise.

The menopause is defined as the time when menstruation is no longer regular until it finally stops altogether. It is important to note that not all women experience the same symptoms, and the severity and duration of the changes can also vary from woman to woman. For most women, this period begins around the age of 45 and lasts an average of six years.

The main physical changes are:

• Cycle changes: Before the menopause, the cycle is usually regular and menstruation occurs. During the menopause, women often experience irregular cycles until menstruation stops completely at the end. The menopause occurs one year after the last menstrual period.
• Hormone changes: The production of the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone decreases. This often leads to symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disorders, mood swings and vaginal dryness.
• Body composition: In addition to the hormones, muscle mass often decreases and more abdominal fat often accumulates.
• Decrease in bone density: The oestrogen deficiency can lead to a loss of bone density and thus increase the risk of osteoporosis. The risk of bone fractures increases in contrast to previous years.
• Changes to the skin: The production of collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin, decreases. As a result, the skin can become thinner and drier and wrinkles and age spots appear more frequently.
• Mood swings: The hormonal changes mean that the mood can change more quickly and the woman becomes irritable more quickly. Anxiety or depressive moods also occur more frequently during this time.

If you have any concerns or questions, it is advisable to consult a medical specialist to discuss appropriate support and possible treatment options. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress management can help you to mitigate the effects of physical changes during the menopause.

We wish you an exciting and uncomplicated time.