Health

How does Menopause affect our Health?

Below are just a few, you can find more information on The MiCA App ( The MasterClass in Childbirth App).

Great for sharing with your clients.

Menopause and our Bodies

Menopause and Heart Health

Menopause has a significant impact on heart health due to hormonal changes, especially the drop

in estrogen. This affects blood vessels, cholesterol levels, and overall cardiovascular risk.

Loss of Estrogen Protection

Before menopause, estrogen helps keep blood vessels flexible, supports healthy cholesterol, and improves blood flow.
After menopause, this protective effect is lost, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Changes in Blood Pressure

Blood pressure often rises during and after menopause.
This puts extra strain on the heart and increases stroke and heart disease risk.

Cholesterol and Fat Distribution

LDL ('bad' cholesterol) tends to rise, and HDL ('good' cholesterol) can drop.
Weight gain, especially around the abdomen, is linked to higher heart disease risk.

Blood Vessel Health

Arteries may stiffen after menopause (arterial stiffness).
This increases the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in arteries).

Increased Risk of Heart Disease

After menopause, women’s risk of heart disease rises significantly.
Heart attack and stroke risks become more similar to men of the same age.

Supporting Heart Health in Menopause

Stay active with walking, swimming, yoga, or strength training.
Eat a heart-healthy diet (Mediterranean style).
Manage stress, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
•et regular check-ups for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Our lives, our health

Urinary Problems

Be you!

Belly Fat

Belly fat in menopause is really common, and it happens because of a mix of hormonal, metabolic, and lifestyle changes that occur during this stage of life. The main causes include:

Hormonal Changes

• Estrogen decline: Estrogen helps regulate how your body stores fat. Before menopause, women tend to store more fat in the hips

and thighs. When estrogen drops, fat storage shifts more toward the abdomen (visceral fat).

• Cortisol influence: Stress can raise cortisol levels, which also promotes belly fat storage.

Lower Metabolism

• With age and menopause, muscle mass naturally decreases, and since muscle burns more calories than fat, your metabolism slows

down. This makes it easier to gain weight even if you’re eating the same as before.

Insulin Resistance

• Hormonal shifts can make your body less sensitive to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels and encouraging more fat

storage around the belly.

Loss of Muscle Mass

• Lower activity levels and hormonal changes reduce lean muscle, further slowing calorie burn and increasing fat accumulation.

Lifestyle Factors

• Sleep disturbances (common in menopause due to hot flashes, night sweats, or anxiety) affect appetite-regulating hormones,

making cravings and overeating more likely.

• Stress, diet, alcohol, and reduced physical activity can add to belly fat.

Lower estrogen, slower metabolism, reduced muscle mass, insulin resistance, stress, and lifestyle changes all contribute to belly fat in menopause.

Strength from within

Hair Loss

Beauty is in the mirror

Sleep Problems

Balances Hormones – Adequate sleep helps regulate cortisol and supports hormone balance,

which can ease hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.

Protects Mental Health – Quality sleep reduces anxiety, irritability, and depression, all of which
can become more pronounced during menopause.
Supports Weight Management – Poor sleep disrupts appetite-regulating hormones (ghrelin and
leptin), making weight gain more likely.
Strengthens Immunity – Deep sleep boosts the immune system, helping the body fight illness
and inflammation.
Improves Heart Health – Sleep helps lower blood pressure and supports cardiovascular
function, which is important since heart disease risk increases after menopause.
Boosts Brain Function – Restful sleep enhances memory, focus, and concentration,
counteracting 'brain fog' common in menopause.