Menopause: What non-hormonal changes occur at the menopause?

The endometrium (lining of your womb) will become thin and inactive as there is no longer a cyclical output of reproductive hormones and periods will no longer occur.

Oestrogens encourage your body to have typical female contours and they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. After the menopause, there may be some reduction in the female contours and the pelvic floor may weaken (Q30.3). Your skin may become less smooth. Despite popular belief, there is no evidence that body weight, blood pressure, or blood glucose alter as a result of the menopause. Cholesterol levels do rise a little.

Q 26. 1 What will happen to me at my menopause?
Q 26. 2 Why does nature put women through the menopause?
Q 26. 3 Is life-expectancy changing?
Q 26. 4 What happens to my reproductive hormones at the menopause?
Q 26. 5 What non-hormonal changes occur at the menopause?
Q 26. 6 What problems might I have as a result of my menopause?
Q 26. 7 When am I likely to reach my menopause?
Q 26. 8 What is a premature menopause?
Q 26. 9 What are hot flushes and will HRT reduce them?
Q 26. 10 What causes hot flushes and night sweats?
Q 26. 11 Can my bladder problems be related to the menopause?
Q 26. 12 Can the menopause be associated with psychological problems.
Q 26. 13 How long can my menopausal (climacteric) symptoms last?
Q 26. 14 Is there a test that will accurately determine when my menopause has occurred?
Q 26. 15 Is it normal to experience heavy periods before the menopause?
Q 26. 16 How are heavy periods around the time of the menopause treated?
Q 26. 17 Is there a need to investigate vaginal bleeding after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)?
Q 26. 18 What could be the cause of vaginal bleeding after the menopause?
Q 26. 19 What is atrophic vaginitis?
Q 26. 20 What local genital symptoms can be associated with the menopause?
Q 26. 21 I have gone through the menopause and now have some bleeding (postmenopausal bleeding PMB). What will my gynaecologist wish to do?
Q 26. 22 Could I have any other long-term medical problems resulting from my menopause?
Q 26. 23 What is coronary heart disease?
Q 26. 24 What is osteoporosis?
Q 26. 25 Where else can I obtain further information?
Q 26. 26 Could I have some recommended menopause support groups.

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London.

I do hope that you find the answers to your questions in the patient information and medical advice provided. If you still have unanswered questions, please consider entering them into one of our forums and I will try to assist you.

DISCLAIMER

The aim of this web site is to provide a general guide and it is not intended as a substitute for a consultation with an appropriate specialist in respect of individual care and treatment.