What To Expect From Your Body During Your 50's

During our 50s we have entered the menopause and there are no clear guidelines with this because each and every woman has different experiences, but most of the changes in your bodies during this decade are related to the menopause.

Loss of interest in sex.

Helen notes that due to your hormonal changes and a drop in oestrogen levels women are likely to experience a low libido and vaginal dryness during this stage of their lives.

Weight gain around the stomach.

It is around this time that women may notice stubborn weight gain around the stomach, which is highly difficult to work off.

Helen says: 'Women may experience more central weight gain, 'fat around the middle' as metabolism slows down, more stress and lower hormone levels (particularly testosterone).'

Anxiety, depression and low mood.

Changes in lifestyle can cause various changes to mood in our 50s.

The rapid hormonal changes of the menopause can also cause drops in mood, or even anxiety and depression.

Helen says: 'Feeling quite low during this time is common as family dynamics change (children may have left to go to university) and life is reevaluated.'

Bones become weaker.

Unless you break a bone or suffer joint pain this effect of ageing is generally symptom-less, which is why is it key to pay attention to it.

Your bone density is a key part of health as you get older.

Helen says: 'Osteopenia or osteoporosis need to be taken seriously, whether you are or aren't on medication.'

Helen points out that no woman is the same and while some may have suffer some symptoms others may experience different ones – or none at all.

She says: 'Following a low sugar and alcohol and higher protein and brightly coloured fruit and vegetables is key to balancing blood sugar and supporting all of the above symptoms.'

She adds: 'Regular exercise is essential to keep endorphins high, healthy weight and bones strong.'

Source:dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3269613/What-expect-body-decade-20s-50s-combat-it.html#ixzz3p192y34h

What To Expect From Your Body During Your 40's

Libido may be dwindling.

Helen Ford says: 'Libido may be dwindling which could be due to lower hormones or just because we are exhausted with day to day life.'

The nutritionist recommends eating foods with omega 3 and stocking up on vitamins to combat the slump.

She says: 'Think about eating more oily fish and nuts and seeds to provide the anti-inflammatory omega 3 oils. 

'Incorporating phytoestrogens such as fermented soya, lentils and chickpeas, flaxseed which have hormone balancing properties. 

'A multi vitamin and mineral with more magnesium and calcium is important, with fish oil and additional Vitamin D.'

Pre-menopausal symptoms may appear.

Many women don't expect to see symptoms of the menopause until their 50s, but Jane Mitchell says that some can expect them much earlier.

'The fact is that your body only has so many eggs,' she explains. 'As soon as they are used up you will see the signs of menopause.'

'It can come as a shock to some women.' 

The nutritionist adds that the best way to reduce symptoms is to exercise and cut out sugar and alcohol. 

Your facial features change.

Dr Maryam Zamani adds that the structure of our faces can change quite significantly in our 40s.

She says: 'The fat in the face can be lost and this significant volume loss can create jowls and the hallowing of the temples.

'The nose is affected as well, and tends to dip downwards. The lips lose volume. Facial structure can be affected with bone loss and this leaves women with sunken looking eyes and increased sagging.'

Joints may start to crunch and creak.

Arthritis Research UK’s ageing expert Professor Janet Lord, Director MRC-ARUK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research in Birmingham says that women should look out for their bones becoming stiff or crunching as this may be a sign of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

It is increasingly common for people to suffer it from their late 40s.

Professor Janet says: 'In this condition, the surfaces within your joints become damaged so the joint doesn’t move as smoothly as it should. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, age and previous joint injury. 

'We don’t fully understand why it’s more common in older people, but it might be due to your muscles weakening and your body being less able to heal itself, or your joint slowly wearing out over time.'


Watch out for the next post - What to expect from your body during your 50's

Source: dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3269613/What-expect-body-decade-20s-50s-combat-it.html#ixzz3p17vHeSb

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to relieve symptoms of the menopause. It replaces female hormones that are at a lower level as you approach the menopause.

The menopause, sometimes referred to as the "change of life", is when a woman's ovaries stop producing an egg every four weeks. This means she will no longer have monthly periods or be able to have children naturally.

The menopause usually occurs when a woman is in her 50s (the average age is 51 in the UK), but some women experience the menopause in their 30s or 40s.

Read more about the menopause.

Oestrogen and progesterone (see below) are female hormones that play important roles in a woman’s body. Falling levels cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including hot flushes, mood swings and vaginal dryness.

The aim of HRT is to restore female hormone levels, allowing the body to function normally again.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen helps to release eggs from the ovaries. It also regulates a woman’s periods and helps her to conceive.

Oestrogen also plays a part in controlling other functions, including bone density, skin temperature and keeping the vagina moist. It is a reduction in oestrogen that causes most symptoms associated with the menopause, including:

• hot flushes
• night sweats  
• vaginal dryness 
• loss of libido (sex drive)
• stress incontinence (leaking urine when you cough or sneeze)
• bone thinning – which can lead to osteoporosis and fractures

Most symptoms will pass within two to five years, although vaginal dryness is likely to get worse if not treated. Stress incontinence may also persist and the risk of osteoporosis will increase with age.

Progesterone

The main role of progesterone is to prepare the womb for pregnancy. It also helps to protect the lining of the womb, known as the endometrium.

A decrease in the level of progesterone does not affect your body in the same way as falling levels of oestrogen. However, taking oestrogen as HRT on is own when you have a womb increases the risk of womb (uterus) cancer, sometimes called endometrial cancer.

Progesterone is therefore usually used in combination with oestrogen in HRT.

However, if you have had a hysterectomy (an operation to remove your womb), you do not need progesterone and can take oestrogen-only HRT.

Read more about the different types of HRT.

How systemic HRT is taken

Tablets, patches or implants are only needed if you have menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, and have weighed up the benefits and risks of treatment.

There are many different combinations of HRT, so deciding which type to use can be difficult. Your GP will be able to advise you.

There are several ways HRT can be taken, including:

• tablets – which can be taken by mouth
• a patch that you stick on your skin
• an implant – under local anaesthetic, small pellets of oestrogen are inserted under the skin of your tummy, buttock or thigh 
• oestrogen gel – which is applied to the skin and absorbed

Local oestrogen for vaginal dryness

If you are only experiencing vaginal dryness, you will probably be recommended oestrogen preparations that can be applied directly to your vagina.

As the dose of oestrogen is so low, you do not require the protective effect of the progestogen. Local oestrogens do not carry the same risks associated with systemic combined HRT.

Local oestrogens can be in the form of:

• pessaries placed directly into the vagina
• a vaginal ring
• vaginal creams

When to stop taking HRT

Most women are able to stop taking HRT after their menopausal symptoms finish, which is usually two to five years after they start.

Gradually decreasing your HRT dose is usually recommended, rather than stopping suddenly. You may have a relapse of menopausal symptoms after you stop HRT, but these should pass within a few months.

If you have symptoms that persist for several months after you stop HRT, or if you have particularly severe symptoms, contact your GP because treatment may need to be restarted, usually at a lower dose.

After you have stopped HRT, you may need additional treatment for vaginal dryness and to prevent osteoporosis(brittle bones). Read about the best ways to prevent osteoporosis. 

Creams and lubricants are available for vaginal dryness, as are local oestrogen preparations (see above).

Who can use HRT?

You can start HRT as soon as you begin to experience menopausal symptoms. However, HRT may not be suitable if you are pregnant or have:

• a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or womb cancer
• a history of blood clots
• a history of heart disease or stroke
• untreated high blood pressure – your blood pressure will need to be controlled before you can start HRT
• liver disease

If you have irregular periods, this will also need to be diagnosed before HRT is used.

Read more about who can use HRT.

If you are unable to have HRT, different medication may be prescribed to help control your menopausal symptoms.

Read more about alternatives to HRT.

Side effects of HRT

Hormones used in HRT can have associated side effects, including:

• fluid retention
• bloating
• breast tenderness or swelling
• headaches
• indigestion 
• depression 

Read more about possible side effects of HRT and how to ease them.

Benefits and risks

Over the years, many studies examining the benefits and risks of HRT have been carried out.

The main benefit is that it is a very effective method of controlling menopausal symptoms, and it can make a significant difference to a woman’s quality of life and wellbeing.

HRT can also reduce a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis and cancer of the colon and rectum. However, long-term use is rarely recommended, and bone density will decrease rapidly after HRT is stopped.

Combined HRT slightly increases the risk of developing breast cancer, womb cancer, ovarian cancer and stroke. Systemic HRT also increases your risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (blockage in the pulmonary artery). Other medicines are available to treat osteoporosis that do not carry the same level of associated risk.

Most experts agree that if HRT is used on a short-term basis (no more than five years), the benefits outweigh the risks.

If HRT is taken for longer, particularly for more than 10 years, you should discuss your individual risks with your GP and review them on an annual basis.

Read more about the risks of HRT.

Source:nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy/pages/introduction.aspx