MENOPAUSE – HORMONAL FACTORS OR OVER-EATING AND LESS EXERCISE

Posted by admin on May 15, 2009 under General health | Be the First to Comment

The middle-aged spread is common and its cause is debated. It may be due to hormonal factors but is more commonly due to over-eating and less exercise.

Even if the cause is hormonal, it can still be corrected by proper dietary advice.

Once the periods have stopped and the woman has become post-menopausal, late changes may arise from the lack of oestrogen. The bones may lose their protein matrix and, with it, some of their calcium. This is called osteoporosis and the bone is thinner and weaker.

Lack of oestrogen may cause changes in the vaginal walls. The skin lining may become thickened and less moist. This may lead to irritation, infection, a discharge or an intolerable itch. Intercourse becomes difficult.

Similar changes may involve the urethra, the tube which carries the urine from the bladder to the outside. These changes may lead to frequency and pain on passing urine. This is commonly called cystitis but is due to irritation.

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