Introduction
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive years. This transition is characterised by hormonal changes that can impact various aspects of health, including metabolism and blood parameters. As metabolic medicine and blood specialists, Blood Genius is dedicated to providing insights into how menopause affects metabolic and blood health, as well as how specialised care can help women navigate this important life stage with confidence and vitality. This articles delves into how.
Understanding menopause and its impact on health
Menopause typically occurs in women around the age of 45 to 55 and is defined by the cessation of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months. During this time, the body undergoes significant hormonal shifts, particularly a decline in oestrogen production.
These hormonal changes can lead to a range of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and changes in metabolism and blood parameters.
Issues related to menopause and metabolic health
Blood and metabolic health play a crucial role in sustaining energy levels and combating fatigue. Optimal blood circulation ensures that tissues and organs receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for maintaining energy production.
Similarly, a well-functioning metabolism is vital for converting food into energy efficiently.
Issues related to menopause and metabolic health
Metabolic health plays a crucial role during menopause, as hormonal fluctuations can influence how the body processes nutrients, regulates blood sugar, and manages weight. As such there are several issues related to menopause and metabolic health. These can be summarised as:
1. Weight Gain: Many women experience weight gain, especially around the abdomen, during menopause. Hormonal changes can affect metabolism, leading to a decrease in muscle mass and an increase in fat accumulation, particularly visceral fat, which can have implications for metabolic health.
2. Insulin Resistance: Menopausal hormonal changes can contribute to insulin resistance, a condition in which cells become less responsive to insulin. Insulin resistance can lead to imbalanced blood sugar levels, weight gain, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
3. Lipid Profile Changes: Menopause can impact lipid metabolism, leading to alterations in cholesterol levels. This may result in an increase in LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and a decrease in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), potentially raising the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How a metabolic medicine and blood specialist can help address menopausal issues
1. Comprehensive Assessment: A metabolic medicine and blood specialist can conduct a comprehensive assessment of a woman’s metabolic health, including blood tests to evaluate hormone levels, blood sugar regulation, lipid profile, and other
relevant parameters.
2. Personalised Treatment Plan: Based on the assessment findings, the specialist can develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to address the specific metabolic issues and health goals of the individual. This plan may include dietary recommendations, lifestyle modifications, hormone therapy, and targeted interventions to optimize metabolic and blood health during menopause.
3. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): For women experiencing significant symptoms related to hormonal imbalances during menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended. A metabolic medicine specialist can provide guidance on the use of HRT to help alleviate symptoms and support overall health.
4. Monitoring and Follow-up: Regular monitoring of metabolic parameters and followup appointments with a metabolic medicine specialist are essential to track progress, make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed, and ensure optimal metabolic and blood health during menopause.
About Blood Genius
Our lead consultant, Dr. Wycliffe Mbagaya, brings vast expertise in general, laboratory, and metabolic medicine. Specialising in cardiometabolic medicine, he pioneers an integrated approach to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and vascular dementia. Dr. Mbagaya is renowned for his early adoption of cutting-edge technologies and therapies, blending clinical and laboratory practices across various medical fields for optimal patient care.
With a focus on metabolic conditions like unexplained fatigue, metabolic diseases, trimethylaminuria, and malodour syndromes, he also provides guidance on blood test results and their implications. Dr. Mbagaya’s metabolic medicine proficiency offers valuable insights into managing metabolic effects of medications, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy, biologics and immune modulators, metabolic optimisation before surgery, pregnancy and post-surgery recovery.
If you are experiencing persistent fatigue or concerns about your blood and metabolic health, consider seeking guidance from us today:
