Stwell the menopause does not represent a state of disease, but only a passing phase in a woman’s life, some tests can be very useful for understanding the real situation hormonal. But also to locate the risk factors of all those pathologies which, precisely in this phase, may arise and represent a danger for future years.
When is hormone dosage needed?
First of all it should be said that a hormonal dosage in a woman who sees the cessation of menstruation at an appropriate age (around 50) is not essential at all. Instead, it is in all those cases of absence of periods in younger women in which other causes, other than the depletion of the follicular heritage, must be excluded. For example, non-ovarian endocrine diseases, such as thyroid disease or hyperprolactinaemia.
Blood tests that confirm the onset of menopause
The tests that can identify a menopausal state are the dosage ofFollicle stimulating hormone (FSH), of theluteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol level. However, it is important to dose also androgens (testosterone and DHEA) and the cortisola stress hormone that often increases in this phase, and becomes responsible for some modifications such as the different arrangement of body fat.
The gynecological visit is essential
Obviously, it is very important to undergo a gynecological check-up which will allow, even through the transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, to view the uterus and ovaries to verify that there are no abnormalities in them. It is also useful to perform a check of the cervix and undergo tests prevention of cervical cancer through PAP test and HPV tests.
Breast checkups how often?
Breast controls are also very important: the breast cancer is the first for incidence in women and see the best peak in this age range. Mammography and bilateral breast ultrasound they must be performed with great regularity, especially if there have been cases in the family.
What is the Moc for?
One of the great risks of post-menopause is certainly theosteoporosis and therefore, if there are risk factors (smoking, family history, young age at menopause, cortisone therapy, thyroid disease, lack of physical activity, reduced calcium intake), the advent of menopause is the ideal time to perform the first bone mineral densitometry (MOC). Thus it is possible to understand the basic situation and quantify what the risk is and what possible therapies to implement to avoid the progression of an important bone demineralization. The best location in women up to the age of 60 is the vertebrae, but the femoral vertebra is also often performed to get a more complete picture.
More attention to the heart in menopause
Very useful to run a cardiological check-up around the age of 50, age group in which there is often an increase in risk factors, first of all cholesterol And blood pressure especially in case of familiarity.
Watch out for Vitamin D levels
Precisely for this reason it is important to perform blood chemistry tests with the evaluation of normal parameters (blood count, liver and kidney function, etc.) but also of the level of vitamin D3, which if low, primarily predisposes to osteoporosis and thyroid function which can sometimes indicate an imperfect functioning of the thyroid even in the presence of few or no symptoms.
Menopause, because the nutritionist is needed
Lastly, I recommend an evaluation with a nutritionist who can help adapt the diet to the modifications of the typical metabolism of this age group in order to prevent the accumulation of “bad” fat, dangerous both for the prevention of cardiovascular and oncological risks.
We must learn to see menopause as the moment in life when we really start taking care of ourselves, because if it is true that today women remain in menopause for about 30 years (age of menopause 51 years – average age duration 86 years), it is it is essential to lay the foundations for our future health in this moment of life.
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