Sister Wang, 45 years old, gathered with her sisters in the square of the community at night, chatting about family life easily, and the topic naturally turned to the changes in the female body.
She found that the menstruation of the sisters around her was still coming as scheduled, however, her own menstruation was getting shorter and shorter, from one week to one or two days now, which made Sister Wang feel a little apprehensive.
She had heard the saying that the earlier a woman goes through menopause, the faster she will age. This made Sister Wang's mood heavy. She began to worry that if she really went through menopause this year, would it mean that her body would age "off a cliff"?
01
What are the signs that a woman is premenopausal?
Changes in menstruation are one of the most obvious signs. Regular periods may become irregular, cycles may become longer or shorter, and menstrual flow may increase or decrease.
This is because as a woman ages, her ovarian function gradually declines, causing hormone secretion levels to fluctuate, which affects the menstrual cycle and menstrual flow.
In addition to menstrual changes, women may also feel changes in other aspects of their body. For example, hot flashes are one of the common symptoms of premenopause and manifest as sudden onset of hot flashes and sweating, which can be inconvenient for women in their daily lives. In addition, some women may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as mood swings, insomnia, and headaches.
In addition to the physical changes, women may also face psychological challenges. Women may experience anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc., due to changes in hormone levels, which may affect their emotional state and mental health.
02
After menopause, will women age "off a cliff"?
Menopause is a natural process of gradual decline of female reproductive function, marking the transition of women from reproductive age to old age. At this stage, many women may be worried about whether they will experience a "cliff-like" aging as a result.
However, in fact, aging is not an overnight process, but a gradual, multifactorial and complex process. After menopause, women may face some physical changes such as sagging skin, bone loss, increased cardiovascular risk, etc. But that doesn't mean women are immediately stuck in the mire of aging.
On the contrary, through scientific lifestyle and health management, women can effectively delay the aging process. Maintaining a good diet and getting enough nutrients can help maintain the skin's radiance and elasticity.
Moderate exercise can not only enhance bone density, but also improve cardiovascular health. In addition, maintaining a positive attitude and participating in social activities are also important ways to delay aging.
03
Don't put it off until menopause, the closer you get to this age, the healthier you are
Changes in a woman's body are a complex and delicate process, especially during the physiological phase of menopause, which can cause many women to feel uneasy and confused.
Menopause, as a natural part of a woman's life cycle, marks the end of fertility and the beginning of a new stage of life, which every woman should face with a peaceful mind.
Although some women want to postpone menopause in hopes of maintaining their youthful vitality, medical research suggests that delaying menopause too much can pose some health risks.
In particular, it is closely related to the risk of breast cancer. This is because breast cells undergo physiological changes or proliferation with hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, and this proliferative division stops after menopause.
This means that the longer the menstrual history, the longer the breast cells are exposed to the effects of endogenous hormonal changes, increasing the risk of cancer.
Statistics show that women with a menstrual history of more than 40 years are twice as likely to have breast cancer as women with a menstrual history of less than 30 years. And for women who go through menopause after age 55, the risk of breast cancer increases by half for every year of menopause delayed.
These data remind us that menopause is a natural physiological process and that either too early or too late can pose health risks. Of course, due to individual differences and environmental factors, the timing of menopause may vary for each woman.
Generally, menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. If menopause occurs too late, either naturally occurring or as a result of human intervention, it may increase the risk of cancer described above.
Conversely, if menopause occurs before the age of 40, then it may be a sign of premature ovarian failure, at which point you should seek medical attention for examination and counseling.
04
Doctor: 5 things to be willing to eat, or helpful
After menopause, women need to pay special attention to their diet. Here are five foods that women should be willing to eat after menopause that may help relieve the discomfort of menopause and promote good health.
Calcium-rich foods
Calcium is essential for bone health and can effectively prevent osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women can moderately increase the intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and tofu to maintain bone strength and stability.
Iron-rich foods
Iron is the main component of red blood cells in the blood and is essential for blood circulation and oxygen delivery. Postmenopausal women are prone to iron deficiency symptoms such as anemia, so you can increase the intake of iron-rich foods such as lean meat, animal liver, and black sesame seeds to promote blood health.
Foods rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect, which can effectively remove free radicals in the body and delay the aging process. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and green peppers, are not only delicious, but also provide essential nutritional support for postmenopausal women.
Foods rich in dietary fiber
Dietary fiber helps promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent digestive problems such as constipation.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health, and can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.