Amy Loden, MD, Washington University internist at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, says menopause is a unique journey for each woman. “Many women suffer silently and do not ask questions for fear of being judged or mistreated,” she says. 
Biochemically, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels decline, resulting in a number of effects: thinning hair, vaginal dryness, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances and others. In the years subsequent to the onset of menopause, the loss of estrogen affects bone density and can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
One of the most important changes that occurs, however, is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. “Indicators of a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease are related to her genetics and include habits (such as tobacco use, physical activity and diet), metabolic diseases including increased cholesterol levels, complications arising in connection with prior pregnancies and menopause transition complications such as insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes,” Dr. Loden says.
In addition to physical symptoms, many women report a loss of mental well-being: mental cloudiness, increased irritability, fatigue and loss of desire for intimacy. “To complicate matters, low energy and depressed mood may cumulatively affect a woman’s desire and motivation to exercise and eat healthy, further increasing her risk for cardiovascular disease,” she says. “Fortunately, there are treatments—hormonal and nonhormonal—to help prevent or mitigate these poor outcomes.”
If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms or want to know more, speak with an internal medicine physician to learn about optimizing your post-menopausal health. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital at 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free 844.542.9378.