Menopause Body Changes

“Physical changes associated with menopause
and ageing include changes in body shape. Shifting weight
from the hips to the central tummy area, drier skin…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Body Changes Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopause Changes
  • Menopause and Body Changes

Perimenopause

During perimenopause what changes may women experience?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. What symptoms might I expect as I approach menopause? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“A. Each woman’s menopause experience is different. Many women who undergo natural menopause report no symptoms at all during the perimenopausal years except for irregular menstrual periods that eventually stop once they reach menopause. Other symptoms may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood disturbances, and vaginal dryness. Not all these symptoms are hormone related, and some, such as hot flashes and memory problems, tend to resolve after menopause. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during this time of transition is essential for your health and can even prevent or alleviate some of these symptoms”.2

Postmenopause

Postmenopause, what changes may women experience?

In Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause the (Scottish) NHS Inform note:

“In postmenopause, symptoms of menopause may have eased or stopped entirely, but some women continue to have symptoms for longer.

The change in your body’s hormones however is a sign to keep looking after your health and wellbeing, and be mindful to listen to your body.

There can be an increased risk of some health conditions postmenopause, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, osteoporosis (weak bones) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). So it is important to have a healthy diet and lifestyle, and to go for your regular cancer screenings such as cervical (smear test) and breast”.3

Body Shape

Is there an association between menopause and changes in body shape?

In Body Image: Menopause & Body Image the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:

Menopause Body Image“Physical changes associated with menopause and ageing include changes in body shape. Shifting weight from the hips to the central tummy area, drier skin, decreased muscle tone and hot flushes change how you feel, how you think about and the actual shape of your body.

Some women talk about losing control of the body they always thought they could control and rely on. Other women find greater confidence in who they are because they are less driven by worrying about whether their body is ‘perfect’ as they enter this stage – “I can let go of the need to be perfect, to compete with the youngies and just be me””.4

Migraine

Is there an association between migraine and menopause?

In Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. I’ve been having headaches lately. Is this a symptom of menopause? the NAMS elaborate on:

“Hormonal headaches typically stop when menopause is reached and hormone levels are consistently low”.5

Menopause Body ChangesEndometriosis

Is there an association between endometriosis and menopause?

In Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide the (United States) Society for Women’s Health Research note in Endometriosis and Menopause:

“5% of endometriosis patients are postmenopausal”.6

Fibroids

What are fibroids?

DotS the definition of fibroids may vary. In Uterine Fibroids the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Treatment for uterine fibroids depends on your symptoms”.7

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with some body changes?

If you would like help with some body changes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Body Changes?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Body Changes?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. 5 Healthy Aging Tips for Women
  2. Aging Changes In Skin
  3. Aging Changes In the Face
  4. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  5. BMS Statement on Testosterone
  6. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  7. BMS TV: Headaches, Migraines and the Menopause
  8. BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle
  9. BMS TV: Sleep
  10. BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
  11. BMS TV: Urogenital Atrophy
  12. Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
  13. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight Its Fire With Fire
  14. Can You Have HRT with Uterine Fibroids
  15. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  16. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  17. Endowise.org.au [Endowise, Australia]
  18. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  19. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  20. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  21. Hot Flashes
  22. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  23. How Long Will I Have Hot Flashes and What Causes Them?
  24. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  25. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  26. Is Menopause Making Me Put on Weight? No, But It’s Complicated
  27. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  28. Know Your Numbers They Could Just Save Your Life
  29. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause
  30. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  31. Life’s Essential 8
  32. Maintaining A Healthy Diet and Weight
  33. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  34. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  35. Mayo Clinic Minute: Know Your Uterine Fibroid Treatment Options [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  36. Mayo Clinic Minute: Treatment for Uterine Fibroids Without Surgery
  37. Mayo Clinic Q and A: 5 Ways To Get Better Sleep
  38. Menopausal Hair Loss
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Body Changes
  42. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Menopause Body Changes
  43. Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
  44. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  45. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  46. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 5. Lifestyle Advice In Menopause & Perimenopause
  47. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  48. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Lifestyle Tips for Menopause Wellness
  49. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  50. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  51. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  52. Menopause and Mental Health
  53. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  54. Menopause: How Your Body Changes and What You Can Do
  55. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  56. Mood and the Menopause
  57. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  58. Nail Care Products
  59. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  60. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  61. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  62. Nutrition In Menopause
  63. Osteoporosis
  64. Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
  65. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health: Guide To Sexual Health Providers
  66. Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Bleeding
  67. Perimenopause
  68. Perimenopause
  69. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Perimenopause Symptom Checklist
  70. Postmenopause
  71. Prosayla Supported By ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
  72. Q&A: Health Changes During Menopause Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk
  73. Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
  74. Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause
  75. Sleep Problems and Menopause: What Can I Do?
  76. Staying Healthy During and After Menopause
  77. The Reality of Menopause Weight Gain
  78. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  79. The Truth About Menopause and Weight Gain
  80. Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
  81. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  82. Uterine Fibroids
  83. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  84. Vaginal Dryness
  85. Vaginal Dryness: What To Do About It
  86. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  87. Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  88. Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  89. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Preventing Bone Loss At Menopause
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
  91. Webinars: Previous – Approach To Bone Health In the Perimenopause and Postmenopause?
  92. Webinars: Previous – Non-Hormonal Pharmacological Interventions For VMS
  93. Weight Gain and Menopause
  94. What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Menopause
  95. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  96. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  97. What To Know About Uterine Fibroids After Menopause
  98. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
  99. Wrinkles
  100. You Need To Know [+ Video: Bleeding After the Menopause – An Important Message You Need To Know]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Body Image: Menopause & Body Image. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 05 September 2023
  2. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. What Symptoms Might I Expect As I Approach Menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 19 March 2024
  3. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause. Last Updated: 13 February 2023. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/after-the-menopause Accessed: 19 March 2024
  4. Body Image: Menopause & Body Image. Last Updated: 26 August 2023 | Last Reviewed: 10 March 2014. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/mental-emotional-health/body-image Accessed: 05 September 2023
  5. Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms: Q. I’ve been having headaches lately. Is this a symptom of menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 19 March 2024
  6. Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide – Endometriosis and Menopause. 19 March 2021. Society for Women’s Health Research. https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/endometriosis-toolkit-a-patient-empowerment-guide/ Accessed: 19 March 2024
  7. Uterine Fibroids. Page Last Updated: 19 February 2021. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids Accessed: 19 March 2024
Topic Last Updated: 14 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 19 March 2023

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