What hormonal changes occur with the onset of menopause. Diseases that can occur

Many of the effects of menopause on women’s bodies are risk factors for Sars-Cov2 infection. The hormonal changes characteristic of the period of menopause contribute significantly to the increase in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. They occur, on average, 7-10 years later in women than in men and are associated with the onset of menopause (female sex hormones have a cardiovascular protective function).

Type 2 diabetes may be associated with a decrease in sex hormones and weight gain, which is common at this stage. All of these changes are the main risk factors in case of Covid infection.

“Although menopause is a physiological condition, not a disease, specific hormonal changes can lead to a complex pathology, which makes women in this category more vulnerable to new coronavirus infections. There are a number of studies showing that a decrease in estrogen is associated with greater vulnerability to the virus and more severe symptoms.“, Explains Iosif Niculescu, gynecologist.

Menopause can have a significant impact on immunity, being associated with a decrease in immune (T) cells, which leads to an increase in the frequency of oncological diseases (breast cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial or ovarian cancer).

During this period, the frequency of inflammatory reactions and autoimmune diseases also increases, all of which are also considered risk factors for Covid-19 infection.

“30% of patients who arrived at the Menopause Clinic in the last year already has associated medical conditions, more or less serious (heart disease, vascular disease, osteo-articular disease, obesity, oncological problems, static disorders of the genitals – prolapse, endocrine disorders). Hormonal supplementation, where there are no medical contraindicationscomplicated, helps women to better overcome this physiological condition, but and to better deal with a possible Covid-19 infection“, Says Iosif Niculescu, gynecologist.

A balanced lifestyle is recommended in menopause, but also in the context of the pandemic

All the more in this period periodic medical visits are important to promptly identify any conditions that can be treated or at least improved by a specific treatment. Interdisciplinary controls have the advantage of a holistic and integrated approach, with a role in both the treatment and prevention of many diseases during this period.

“The most important thing for these patients is to take all recommended precautions during this period. Menopausal women should not delay annual consultation with a gynecologist either feel free to contact your doctor if necessary. Over 50% of our patients were surprised to learn that many things are related only to their own motivation in the context of their situation – movement, change in eating behavior, changes in relationship behavior, psychotherapy – in addition to recommended treatments, says Iosif Niculescu.

Mediplus Clinic, the first menopause clinic launched in Romania, is celebrating one year

After 30 years of international experience in obstetrics-gynecology, Dr. Iosif Niculescu launched last year, at the end of October, the first clinic for menopause in Romania, a concept that meets all the problems related to menopause, successfully tested especially in North America, but also in EU countries.

This year, more than 300 patients crossed the threshold of the Mediplus clinic.

• 75% of them came because they had symptoms that required intervention or treatment, the most common being physiological changes (sleep disturbances, fatigue, migraines), vasomotor symptoms (depression), urogenital menopause syndrome, urinary tract infections or psychogenic symptoms (anger, irritability, anxiety, depression). Interdisciplinary consultation has proved beneficial in all these cases.
• 50% of patients who presented strictly in the menopause clinic were found, following gynecological or related examinations, with problems such as vaginal dysmicrobism, significant vaginal atrophy with dyspareunia (contact pain), more or less alterations Significant Cervical Cytology (PAP).
• 75% of the patients had an indication of hormone supplementation to solve the problems caused by menopause.
• 10% of the patients who came to the clinic were under the age of 45, in this case the need for hormonal supplementation was absolute.
• There was a small number of patients (less than 5%) who a priori refused to take hormones. Phytoestrogens were therefore a viable option in most cases.
• 25% – either did not qualify for hormone supplementation, given the severity of symptoms (mild), or had medical contraindications.
• There is also a percentage of 30% who already have more or less serious associated medical diseases (heart disease, vascular disease, osteo-articular disease, obesity, oncological problems, static disorders of the genitals – prolapse, endocrine disorders). Some of these conditions, of course, contraindicate hormonal supplementation.

According to Eurostat, the average life expectancy of a woman in Europe is estimated to be over 80 years, which means that around 40% of adults live through menopause. While there were 477 million postmenopausal women in 1998, it is estimated that in 2045 there will be 1.1 billion postmenopausal women globally. In Europe, the age associated with the onset of menopause is increasing (from the median to 54 years), although the factors that induce premature menopause are, in turn, increasingly common in women’s lives: obesity, smoking, of sedentary life.