One of the most common concerns for women approaching menopause is how to treat it naturally and slow down skin and body aging during this period.

Menopause is a natural process in a woman's life, marked by the gradual cessation of menstruation due to a decrease in reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

This process, though natural, leads to significant physical and emotional changes that impact quality of life and long-term health.

We often wonder if we can help our bodies during this stage, particularly concerning aging and skin health.

How to keep a healthy body and youthful skin during menopause?

Beyond physical symptoms on the skin or hair, which are often the focus of many questions, understanding the effects of aging during menopause is essential because it can influence bone, cardiovascular, and mental health in women.

Therefore, understanding these changes and taking appropriate preventive measures can help mitigate symptoms and promote healthy and active aging.

Organizations like the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) emphasize the importance of education and medical support during this stage to improve quality of life and reduce the impact of hormonal changes.

A. Menopause and aging: what are the causes?

How to stay young after menopause

To answer how to stay young after menopause, we first need to understand the connection between menopause and aging and why it occurs.

Menopause is associated with accelerated aging due to the decrease in reproductive hormones in women, especially estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play crucial roles in regulating our bodies. The reduction of estrogen, for instance, directly impacts the skin, bones, and cardiovascular system, contributing to aging.

B. What are the effects of menopause on the body?

Estrogen is a fundamental hormone for skin health as it promotes the production of collagen and elastin, two essential components for skin elasticity and firmness. The study "Menopause," published in The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, indicates that the decrease in estrogen leads to skin thinning and promotes the appearance of wrinkles.

How to rejuvenate the skin during menopause? How to increase collagen levels?

This article addresses these questions by analyzing the specific changes that aging focuses on.

1. Skin

Skin is one of the major indicators of menopause since estrogen is crucial for the production of collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin elasticity and firmness.

The decrease in estrogen, however, leads to skin thinning, increased dryness, and a tendency to develop wrinkles.

A study published in PubMed, "The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society," indicates that the reduction in estrogen results in significant loss of skin thickness and elasticity.

2. Bones

Besides the skin, bones are significantly impacted by menopause due to decreased bone density during this period.

Estrogen plays a key role in protecting bone mass, and its reduction accelerates bone density loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. The study "Management of osteoporosis in older adults" by the International Osteoporosis Foundation highlights that bone density loss is more rapid in the early postmenopausal years, raising the fracture risk for older women.

3. Cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system also suffers from decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and protects arterial walls. The loss of this hormonal protection during menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The danger is even greater in postmenopause compared to premenopause. Studies like "Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk" published in Circulation show an increased risk of developing heart diseases in postmenopausal women, including hypertension and atherosclerosis.

4.Metabolism

Menopause also affects women's metabolism, leading to weight gain and a redistribution of body fat towards the abdomen. This consequence is more than just aesthetic; it also increases the risk of developing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. An increase in visceral fat, associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, is linked to postmenopausal women according to the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

These consequences underscore the need to adopt preventive habits and methods to mitigate the effects of aging during menopause.

C. How to mitigate the effects of menopause?

How to stay young after menopause?

To combat the aging effects associated with menopause, it is important to understand and implement various strategies and therapies.

How to treat menopause naturally?

Nutrition: Maintaining a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is crucial for bone health. Consuming foods like dairy products, fatty fish, and leafy green vegetables can help keep bones healthy. Additionally, include antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, nuts, seeds, and green tea to support overall health and skin vitality.

Regular exercise: Strength training and weight-bearing exercises help maintain muscle mass and bone density. Cardiovascular exercises like walking, swimming, or biking support heart health, and activities such as yoga and Pilates can improve flexibility and reduce stress.

Natural Therapies: Herbal remedies and supplements like soy or isoflavones can relieve some menopause symptoms, but consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment.

Stress Management: Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can improve sleep quality and reduce stress. Consider supplements containing ashwagandha for stress reduction.

D. Tips for healthy aging during menopause

Have you ever wondered what the best supplement for menopause is? Or what the best collagen supplement is?

As we approach menopause, it becomes crucial to consider the best ways to navigate this process effectively.

In addition to all the points already mentioned, regular medical check-ups are crucial for early detection of any health imbalances, such as hypertension or osteoporosis.

Which vitamins should I take after menopause?

As part of bone health care, in addition to adequate nutrition, calcium and vitamin D supplements can help prevent osteoporosis, along with strength exercises. Vitamin K and magnesium also work with calcium for bone health.

Vitamin B12, omega-3, vitamin C, and vitamin E also play an important role during menopause due to their antioxidant functions, in cardiovascular health, and brain function. It is advisable for a doctor to analyze your specific needs and guide you through this process.

Among the options, hormone therapy can also be an effective option to help maintain hormone levels, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.

In addition to all this, a healthy lifestyle and good stress management are also key pillars for healthy aging during this process.

References

1. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society

2. Menopause Transition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Implications for Timing of Early Prevention: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

3. International Osteoporosis Foundation, PubMed.

4. Menopause, Mayo Clinic

5. Management of osteoporosis of the oldest old, de l'International Osteoporosis Foundation, PubMed.

6. North American Menopause Society (NAMS)

7. PubMed, The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society