5 health concerns that manifest for postmenopausal women

Modern and natural medicine have focused for decades on the symptoms and health concerns of women as they transition through menopause — defined as the time of the final menstrual period, followed by 12 months of amenorrhea (lack of menstrual flow). 

Postmenopause describes the life stage following the final menses. With the menstrual cycle in the rearview mirror, the attention shifts to more pressing and sometimes life-threatening health concerns such as cardiovascular issues, osteoporosis, weight management, genitourinary health and brain fog. 

Cardiovascular health 

While breast cancer is often thought of as the biggest threat to a woman’s longevity, the most significant danger after menopause is cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) has been examining the physical, biological, psychological and social changes experienced by women during their midlife years. The researchers found that women who have more hot flashes earlier during menopause also seem to have a higher risk for heart disease. Frequent and persistent hot flashes are associated with future CVD. Additionally, the loss of estrogen is linked to decreased blood vessel flexibility, higher cholesterol, decreased vasodilation and elevated blood pressure. 

Related:Women and children first – digital magazine

Hawthorn extracts possess serum lipid-lowering, antioxidative and cardioprotective properties, thus gaining popularity, especially for their anti-atherosclerotic effects. 

Nattokinase (as NSK-SD, from JBSL-USA) helps to break down fibrin and decrease blood clots, and also helps to reduce blood pressure. 

Omega-3s have shown to decrease triglycerides and also improve endothelial function. 

Ubiquinol/CoQ10 reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. 

Vitamin K2 (as MenaQ7, from Gnosis by Lasaffre) provides for optimal vitamin K2 intake, which is crucial to avoid the calcium plaque buildup that causes atherosclerosis, thus keeping the risk and rate of calcification as low as possible. 

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a significant risk for cardiovascular health problems. 

Bone health 

As with cardiovascular health, low levels of estrogen are linked to an increased risk of developing weak bones. On average, women lose up to 10% of their bone mass in the first five years after menopause. After this, the rate of bone loss slows. By the age of 70, bone mass has decreased by 30-40%. About half of women over the age of 60 will experience at least one fracture due to osteoporosis. 

Vitamin K2 protects the vertebrae and the hip (femoral neck) against bone loss. One study using 180 mcg vitamin K2 (as MenaQ7) on 244 healthy postmenopausal women found decreased bone loss over three years. 

Related:Nutrition for women – product development guide

Magnesium might reduce bone loss and turnover in postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis, according to a study on 31 postmenopausal women using from 250-750 mg/day magnesium for six months and another 250 mg/day for 18 months. 

Vitamin D research has shown that inadequate vitamin D intake over long periods of time can lead to bone demineralization. Vitamin D deficiency leads to decreased calcium absorption, and ultimately the release of calcium from the bones to maintain circulating calcium concentrations. 

Calcium supplements, according to a quote in the Journal of Bone Metabolism, “have little role to play in the modern therapeutics of osteoporosis, which is based around the targeting of safe and effective anti-resorptive drugs to individuals demonstrated to be at increased risk of future fractures.” 

To read all about ingredients for the aspects of weight management, genitourinary health and cognition, download the free digital magazine here. You’ll also find science, marketing and business strategies for perimenopause, 12 must-have ingredients for women’s supplements, and the provocative concept known as the microgenderome.