La menopausia: una visión general — Las hormonas y la salud de la mujer
Menopause is more than a shift in hormones. It’s a major health transition that can affect many aspects of a woman’s health, from cardiovascular and metabolic health to bone health, sleep, brain health, pelvic health and sexual well-being.
At Vail Health’s Menopause: The Big Picture — Hormones and Women’s Health event on September 15, Jennifer Bettenhausen, MD, of Colorado Mountain Medical; Melissa O’Meara, MD, FMCP-M, Medical Director of Vail Health Concierge Medicine; and Christine Pierangeli, CMNT, BCHN, of Vail Healthspan explored the changes that occur during menopause and how women can take a more comprehensive approach to their health during this important stage of life.
A central message from the conversation was that menopause care should look at the whole person, not simply hormone levels.
Understanding menopause and changing hormone levels
Menopause is one stage within a broader transition that includes perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Understanding where you are in that transition can help provide context for the physical and hormonal changes you may be experiencing.
The event explored what happens to hormones throughout these stages and discussed the role that hormones can play in women’s health.
Because menopause can affect multiple areas of health, recognizing changes early and discussing symptoms with a medical provider can be an important part of proactive care.
Hormone replacement therapy: understanding the conversation
Hormone replacement therapy, also called menopausal hormone therapy, was a key topic of the event. The presentation revisited the history of the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study and discussed what is known today about the safety and effectiveness of hormone therapy. The speakers also reviewed the different hormones used in therapy, including estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, as well as systemic and vaginal estradiol options.
Hormone therapy can raise many questions, including:
- What does “bioidentical” hormone mean?
- What are compounded hormones?
- Do hormone levels need to be checked?
- Is there an age when hormone therapy should no longer be started or used?
- How long should hormone therapy be used?
- Who should not use hormone therapy?
- What options are available for women with a history of or high risk for breast cancer?
- What nonhormonal options are available for managing menopause symptoms?
These questions don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. The event emphasized the importance of continuing to seek out reputable menopause education and discussing symptoms early in perimenopause or menopause with a healthcare provider.
Menopause health goes beyond hot flashes
Hot flashes are one of the symptoms most commonly associated with menopause, but the transition can involve much more. The event highlighted five practical areas women can focus on to support their health through midlife and the decades ahead.
1. Know your numbers
Changes during midlife can affect cardiovascular and metabolic risk before noticeable symptoms appear.
Talk with your healthcare provider about monitoring important health markers such as:
- Blood pressure
- LDL and HDL cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Glucose and A1c
- Signs of insulin resistance
Understanding your individual health numbers can provide a clearer picture of your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
2. Build muscle
Strength training becomes an important part of maintaining health as we age. The event recommendations included resistance exercise at least twice a week, regular weight-bearing movement, adequate protein and balance work. Women with osteoporosis, pain or injuries may benefit from individualized guidance. Building and maintaining strength can be part of a broader approach to supporting mobility, bone health and long-term physical function.
3. Protect your sleep
Sleep changes are common during midlife, but persistent insomnia, fatigue or snoring deserve attention. While hot flashes can affect sleep, the event emphasized that they aren’t the only possible contributors. Sleep apnea, mood, pain, restless legs, alcohol, medications, thyroid disease and iron deficiency can also play a role.
If you’re consistently struggling with sleep or experiencing unexplained fatigue, talking with your healthcare provider can help identify potential causes.
4. Recognize the full picture
Menopause can involve more than reproductive symptoms. Urinary, sexual, mood, sleep, cognitive and musculoskeletal changes all deserve to be recognized and evaluated. Rather than assuming every symptom is simply part of menopause, individualized evaluation and treatment can help determine what may be contributing to changes in how you feel and function.
5. Build your health team
You don’t have to navigate menopause alone. Depending on your needs, your healthcare team may include Atención primaria, menopause or hormone therapy care, gynecology, pelvic-floor therapy, nutrition, salud conductual, sleep care, terapia física o Atención especializada.
Taking a team-based approach can help address the different dimensions of health that may become important during menopause and beyond.
Preparing for a menopause or hormone therapy appointment
A productive healthcare appointment starts with understanding your own health history, symptoms and priorities.
The event materials recommend bringing:
- A timeline of your symptoms
- Your menstrual history
- A list of medications and supplements
- Relevant family history
- Treatments you’ve already tried
- Your priorities and questions about hormone and nonhormone options
Most importantly, menopause care should address the person, not just the hormone level.
Writing down questions and symptoms before your appointment can make it easier to have a focused conversation with your healthcare provider and determine what options may be appropriate for you.
Taking a whole-health approach to menopause
Menopause can be an opportunity to take a closer look at your health and invest in the decades ahead. That may mean understanding your cardiovascular and metabolic numbers, building strength, protecting your sleep, paying attention to changes in pelvic or sexual health, and finding the right healthcare team for your individual needs.
Vail Health offers several resources that can support different aspects of whole-person health, including hormone therapy care, medicina funcional, bone health, metabolic health, nutrition, exercise and more.
Continue your menopause health journey
Vail Health Hormone Therapy Providers
Hormone therapy should be individualized based on symptoms, age, medical history, personal risks, preferences and timing relative to menopause. Vail Health offers hormone therapy providers across Medicina familiar, Medicina interna, Ginecólogo obstetra, endocrinología, medicina funcional y el Clínica de Terapia de Reemplazo Hormonal (TRH).
Vail Healthspan
Explore a whole-health approach to exercise, nutrition, sleep, metabolic health, mindset, community and long-term vitality.
Howard Head Sports Medicine Bone Health
For women concerned about osteopenia, osteoporosis or fracture risk, Howard Head Sports Medicine offers individualized support focused on exercise, balance, fall prevention, posture, loading, rehabilitation and nutrition.
Keep learning about menopause
Menopause is a significant health transition, and having reliable information can help you ask better questions and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.
If you’re experiencing changes during perimenopause or menopause, consider starting the conversation with your healthcare provider early. Your symptoms, health history, goals and individual risk factors can all help shape the right approach for you.
Conoce a los Expertos
Find the Right Support for Your Menopause Journey
Menopause can affect many aspects of your health, and the right support may look different for everyone. Whether you’re looking for hormone therapy, a trusted primary care partner, support for healthy aging, or help protecting your bone health, Vail Health offers a range of services to support you through menopause and beyond.
