Menopause, a natural physiological transition marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. While commonly associated with hormonal shifts and fertility cessation, its broader health implications are often underestimated. One of the most overlooked aspects is the intersection between menopause and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—a growing concern that deserves urgent attention from clinicians, policymakers, and public health stakeholders.

Hormonal Changes: A Silent Catalyst for NCDs

The onset of menopause brings a significant decline in estrogen levels. This hormone, while primarily linked to reproductive health, also plays a crucial protective role in regulating cardiovascular, metabolic, skeletal, and immune systems. Its gradual withdrawal sets off a cascade of physiological changes, many of which contribute to an increased risk of developing chronic conditions.

Cardiovascular Disease: A Rising Threat Post-Menopause

Estrogen supports vascular health by enhancing nitric oxide production, which promotes blood vessel flexibility. It also maintains a favorable lipid profile, keeping LDL (bad cholesterol) low and HDL (good cholesterol) high. When estrogen declines, these protections fade, leading to arterial stiffness, plaque buildup, and rising blood pressure—factors that significantly elevate the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Indeed, within a decade after menopause, cardiovascular risk in women sees a steep upward trajectory.

Metabolic Shifts and Bone Vulnerability

Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity and helps maintain stable blood glucose levels. Its absence contributes to increased abdominal fat, insulin resistance, and elevated blood sugar, all of which are precursors to type 2 diabetes. Additionally, estrogen is vital for bone health, as it slows down the breakdown of bone tissue. After menopause, accelerated bone loss can lead to osteoporosis and fragility fractures, particularly in the spine, hips, and wrists.

Mental Health: A Hidden Dimension

The psychological effects of menopause are often underestimated but are no less significant. Estrogen influences the brain’s neurotransmitters—serotonin,dopamine,and norepinephrine—essential for emotional regulation and cognitive performance. As hormone levels drop, many women experience:
– Increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety
– Mood fluctuations and reduced stress resilience
– Difficulty sleeping and diminished cognitive clarity

These symptoms are often exacerbated by external stressors such as caregiving responsibilities, career changes, and evolving family dynamics, potentially leading to decreased self-esteem and emotional burnout.

An Emerging Concern: Cognitive Decline

Recent scientific inquiries have started to draw connections between menopause and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Estrogen’s role in protecting brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation is only beginning to be fully understood, but its implications highlight the importance of proactive cognitive health strategies during midlife.

A Missed Public Health Opportunity

Despite the established link between menopause and the increased risk for several NCDs—including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental health disorders—this life stage remains largely absent from mainstream public health programming. Menopause is rarely addressed as a distinct health milestone requiring preventive care, leaving many women unaware of the risks and without access to timely interventions.

This gap reflects broader gender disparities in healthcare and reveals a pressing need for systemic change. Integrating menopause into the public health narrative offers a pivotal opportunity to reduce the long-term burden of chronic illness and promote healthy aging.

Towards a Gender-Responsive Health Agenda

Public health strategies must begin to see menopause not as a private medical issue but as a societal health turning point. This requires:
– Risk-based screenings for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and bone density
– Culturally appropriate counselling on lifestyle changes, physical activity, and nutrition
– Access to mental health services, tailored to midlife emotional and cognitive challenges
– Educational initiatives that empower women with knowledge about their changing bodies and health risks

A lifespan approach to women’s health, beyond the reproductive years, can help build more equitable and effective health systems.

Menopause is far more than the end of menstruation—it is a critical inflection point in a woman’s health journey. By recognizing the strong link between menopause and non-communicable diseases, we can shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. It’s time we brought menopause to the forefront of public health discourse and created supportive ecosystems that enable women to thrive—not just survive—through this transition and beyond.

Author’s biography

Dr. Shazina Saeed is a physician-scientist with expertise in clinical genetics and public health, currently serving as Assistant Professor and PhD Coordinator at Amity University, Noida.

The post Menopause and NonCommunicable Diseases: The Overlooked Nexus appeared first on InnoHEALTH magazine.

When it comes to menstruation, there is still a lot of stigma attached to it. In certain cultures, menstruation is considered filthy and disgusting. This creates a hush-hush atmosphere surrounding it, which should not be the case. It is a physiological function, just like any other, that is essential for reproduction. A stigmatised air around menstruation inhibits adolescent menstruators from receiving genuine, solid knowledge about what is going on with them. It is either forbidden, sacred, or invalidated. Where is the true picture?

Let’s go all the way back to ancient civilizations for the first known mentions of menstruation. Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher, was persuaded that periods were some kind of mystical trickery back in the day. He said that women on their periods could destroy large fields of crops, drive bees from their hives, and manipulate the weather. Regrettably, attitudes concerning menstruation were not much better during the Middle Ages. People went to tremendous lengths to conceal their periods due to religious embarrassment, and some even claimed cramps were a heavenly punishment for Eve’s initial sin. Those who were menstruating were not administered pain relief medication because cramps were viewed as a punishment (mostly herbal remedies at the time).

People in mediaeval times would either use rags to absorb their menstrual blood (ever wonder where the phrase “on the rag” comes from?) or they would free bleed. Periods entered the Bridgerton era in the late nineteenth century, and the first menstrual products were invented. People wore sanitary belts from the 1890s until the early 1980s, which were simply reusable pads tied to a belt worn around the waist – and yes, they were as terrible as they sound. Brands began to release adhesive disposable pads in the 1970s, comparable to what we see now in the menstruation goods aisle. Initially, adhesive pads were heavy and uncomfortable to wear, but they were an improvement over having to suspend your pad from a string.

Biologically, the menstrual cycle is characterized by regular and recreating hormonal changes, including changes in the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. The cycle is divided into two distinct phases the follicular phase, which lasts from period to ovulation and varies in length, but generally lasts 14 days; and the luteal phase, which is the alternate half of the cycle after ovulation and leading up to period and lasts constantly for 14 days. The days before the period are generally termed as the premenstrual phase. During period, estrogen and progesterone situations are fairly low.

As the cycle progresses through the follicular phase, estrogen situations rise, egging the pituitary gland to produce a swell of follicle- stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone which helps eggs develop in the ovaries. Once the most advanced egg is discharged, the follicle transforms into a corpus luteum that generates steadily adding situations of progesterone as well as a small quantum of estrogen. However, progesterone and estrogen situations drop, the filling of the uterus breaks down, If the egg isn’t fertilized. further than half of menstruating women report some pain during their period, with some estimates as high as 84.

Another study set up that 32- 40 of people who have their period report that the pain is so bad that they’ve to leave work or academy. still, it’s not just the physical signs of period that can beget discomfort and anxiety. Hormonal oscillations during periods can have a direct effect on your mood, with some people suffering from premenstrual dysphoric complaints (PMDD). PMDD affects about 5- 8 of women worldwide and is a severe type of premenstrual pattern that causes both cerebral and physical symptoms. utmost menstruating women witness some symptoms of premenstrual pattern( PMS), similar as mood swings and headaches, despair, wrathfulness, pressure and solicitude.

The symptoms of PMDD, which are intricately linked to your current internal health, are analogous to those of major depression. This means that women suffering from PMDD face the same troubles as women suffering from major depression, similar to an increased threat of self-murder during the two weeks they’re affected. The inverse effect is also true. Mental health problems in general can beget or worsen menstrual problems. According to exploration, women who have an anxiety or substance use complaint had shorter ages.

Creativity helps us process our feelings more by furnishing an outlet for all our sentiments, whether positive or negative. hear to music- It’s true that music has been proven to promote internal well- being, reduce stress, and reduce the product of cortisol( the stress hormone) in our brain.

According to one study, there’s a” significant relationship between stress and the circumstance of dysmenorrhea,” or uncomfortable period that generally manifests as cramps. It set up that those who were under a lot of stress were doubly as likely to get dysmenorrhea also, studies have set up a correlation between those who work in stressful surroundings having shorter menstrual ages. A normal cycle lasts around 28 days, and anything lower than 24 days is considered short.

Here are some suggestions for taking care of your mental health throughout your cycle :

Try Exercise – Research shows that regular aerobic exercise can help reduce and improve PMS symptoms such as sadness and exhaustion.” It’s natural to be afraid to exercise this time of the month. Exercise, on the other hand, causes the release of a chemical known as endorphins. They interact with pain receptors in the brain, they reduce the perception of pain and induce good emotions in the body. As a result, moderate exercise can help ease the cramps and discomfort associated with PMS. Serotonin and dopamine are two chemicals released during exercise that not only improve your mood, but can also suppress anxiety-inducing hormones. One study found that three sessions of 60-minute exercise each week for eight weeks significantly reduced PMS symptoms in women. Exercise can even help manage bloating and water retention. “Remember to do what feels comfortable, and don’t overdo it.”

Stress Management Practices – As a result, stress management practices should be used throughout the menstrual cycle. PMS can be stressful enough on its own, especially when the symptoms disrupt your daily routine, such as cramps that make it difficult to get out of bed or mood swings that disrupt relationships. When you are stressed, your body produces increased amounts of cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). They are also referred to as stress hormones. When stress has a particularly strong effect on your hormones, it can result in missed or late periods. Stress is a major cause of uncomfortable menstrual symptoms because it disrupts your hormones and can disrupt your cycle.

Get enough sleep – when you are stressed, sleep can help you cope. Sleep improves your mental health and helps treat anxiety and sadness. During your period, try to get six to eight hours of sleep each night. If you can’t do this consistently, aim for at least six hours of sleep each night. You can also try taking naps during the day if that works better for your schedule than going to bed early at night. It also improves your mood and minimizes the harmful effects of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) hormones.

Healthy Diet – A nutritious diet has been shown to increase mental well-being. In fact, one study found that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower rates of sadness and anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that eating a nutritious diet can help reduce symptoms of depression by up to 50%. For starters, consider increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish like salmon and trout, as well as flaxseed oil. They help fight inflammation in the body, which can contribute to physical and mental health problems like depression. Omega-3 fatty acids also increase serotonin levels, which improves mood! Increasing your intake of vitamins B6 and B12 will also help improve your mental well-being. These vitamins are needed for the production of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, which affects how quickly signals are transmitted between brain cells, or neurons. In other words, they help keep everything in order.

Do yoga – According to healthcare experts, rehearsing yoga during your period can help ameliorate your emotional state and overall health. Yoga can help you fight internal problems and sleep better. Yoga is a great approach to reducing stress, which can be particularly dangerous for those suffering from hormonal problems similar to PMS or menopause. Yoga can also help you feel more and help acne flare- ups during your period. Yoga is also an excellent tool for managing stress and other negative feelings, as well as perfecting your station and outlook on life. rehearsing yoga allows you to concentrate on the present moment rather than getting caught up in unwelcome studies or passions. 

Get creative- Being creative during your menstrual cycle can help you ameliorate your internal health. The stylish thing about being creative is that it does not have to be a commodity big or fancy and you can do it whenever and wherever you want. Indeed if you are not feeling well, you can buck up your days by creating a picture or composing a lyric. There are several ways creativity can profit your internal health.

Creativity helps us process our feelings more by furnishing an outlet for all our sentiments, whether positive or negative. hear to music- It’s true that music has been proven to promote internal well- being, reduce stress, and reduce the product of cortisol( the stress hormone) in our brain. That is because music is a form of tone- expression that helps us connect with others in ways that words alone do not always allow. Health professionals have actually recommended that people suffering from depression listen to music during their menstrual cycle because it helps them feel more emotionally. 

Quit smoking and limit alcohol input – Tobacco use is dangerous to health. It has a significant effect on internal and physical health. Women are affected more than men by smoking during this period. Women are more prone to pinging a cigarette due to hormonal changes in the body during this period. Cigarette bank disrupts a woman’s menstrual cycle, performing in irregular ages, heavy bleeding and an increased threat of gravidity. Drinking alcohol during your period isn’t a good idea. It can beget a number of unwanted side goods, including headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, prostration and stomach derangement. In addition to these physical goods, drinking alcohol during your period affects your internal health.

Menstruating women can suffer from a range of unwelcome symptoms during their’ period’, from minor discomfort, lower aft pain, prostration and bloating to severe pain, heavy inflow and cramping. They can occasionally intrude with an existent’s diurnal conditioning. Some people may not be suitable to go to work or academy because of discomfort that prevents them from performing typically. The effect of period on internal health highlights the significance of hormones in the brain- body connection and how they affect moods and therefore studies.

Knowing the patterns of these changes in our brain and body can help one understand their problem and learn about our studies, inspiring us to take care of ourselves in new and salutary ways. Realizing the significance of women’s internal health is the first step to perfecting internal health during ages. Second, we need to address this issue by encouraging women and girls to talk about and learn about their bodies. 

Last but not least, we should raise awareness of women’s internal health with the support of family members, preceptors and musketeers, among others. These conduct should help ameliorate our internal health during the period.

“Composed by: Dr.Tanya Gujral is Physiotherapy Professional. She has Published more than 10 articles in reputable Journal and also reviewer in national and international journal and also have 2 book chapters.”

“Mr. Lakshay Attri, is pursuing Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Lakshay is determined to acquire new physiotherapy skills and make a positive impact on people’s lives.”

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