Postmenopausal – that is, after the period has ended – increases the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, adult-onset diabetes or breast cancer.
Altered risk profile
There are clear gender differences in the incidence of osteoporosis-type fractures: Women have a two- to threefold higher fracture risk than men. Fracture rates increase expoentionally at older ages. Estrogens promote the build-up of bone substance by stimulating bone metabolism. If fewer estrogens are present after menopause, the overall effect is reduced by the corresponding factor. The risk of cardiovascular disease also increases in line with age if fewer natural estrogens are circulating in the blood. Estrogens protect the vessels because they increase the proportion of “good” HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein), which prevents atherosclerosis and heart attacks. In Germany, 240,000 women and 167,000 men die each year from diseases of the cardiovascular system. In women, they are numerically the leading cause of serious illness and every second cause of death. Postmenopausal women are more frequently affected than pre-menopausal women. The vasoprotective effect can only be demonstrated with endogenous estrogens. Taking synthetic estrogens does not prevent cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, even the WHI study (Women’s Health Initiative), a broad-based study on hormone therapy, which was actually conducted to provide positive evidence for this form of therapy, was discontinued. Under estrogen therapy, the risk of heart attack and stroke increased. The altered fat metabolism also affects body weight, since the calorie requirement decreases during menopause. If those affected do not change their eating habits or increase energy consumption by exercising more, they gain weight. For example, while 22.8 percent of women between the ages of 40 and 49 in North Rhine-Westphalia are overweight (body mass index, BMI > 29), this is the case for 31.1 percent of 50- to 59-year-olds and 38.0 percent of 60- to 69-year-olds. The risk of developing adult-onset diabetes increases. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Germany and the most frequent cause of cancer death. Statistically, every eighth to tenth woman is affected in the course of her life, and the average age at first diagnosis is 63. According to the most recent estimates of the Robert Koch Institute, more than 47,300 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the Federal Republic of Germany every year, about 19,300 of them under the age of 60. Errors in cell division become more likely with increasing age. Family history, smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity are relevant factors that increase the risk of disease.
Strategies to combat menopausal symptoms
The need for professional help with menopausal symptoms is great. Nearly three-quarters of affected women visit a gynecologist for this reason. The number of visits increases continuously with both the variety and intensity of the complaints. Although the women are satisfied with the medical care on average, there is one exception: the advice and the offer of alternative cures and remedies to treat climacteric complaints. Nearly one-third of women are dissatisfied with their physician’s services in this area. During their regular practice activities, physicians often cannot afford the time to respond to the special need of menopausal women for consultation. For this reason, supplementary services must be created to meet women’s need for individual, medically competent, holistic advice and care. The causes of menopausal symptoms are as varied as the solutions. These depend on the type and intensity of the complaints, on risk factors for osteoporosis or cardiovascular diseases, on previous illnesses and on which treatment alternatives the woman prefers or rejects. The most important success factor is to make women aware that they are responsible for their own health and can do something about it on their own. Recommendations for a conscious lifestyle, i.e. eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and avoiding stress, should therefore form the basis of all therapeutic approaches.A healthy and wholesome diet can not only help alleviate discomfort, but also prevent osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease. Physical exercise has equally beneficial effects: Just 30 minutes of swimming or cycling two to three times a week relieves hot flashes and sweating, boosts the immune system and improves sleep. In addition, there are numerous options from the fields of naturopathy and conventional medicine to alleviate the vegetative complaints.
Hormone therapy and herbal preparations
In the foreground are alternative methods such as phytoestrogens and plant preparations. However, homeopathic remedies as well as orthomolecular medicine also provide the desired relief. While alternative procedures are becoming increasingly popular among women, the acceptance of hormone therapy (HT) with estrogens or estrogen-progestin combinations has declined in recent years due to negative study results.
