Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Üsküdar University, noted that the average age of menopause onset in our country is between 45-52, stating, “During menopause, significant changes in life comfort occur in some women, while biological, physical, and psychological changes take place. Many women may experience health issues such as vasomotor, psychological, and urogenital symptoms, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia.”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin:
“While men are at a higher risk for heart diseases at younger ages, women's risk of heart disease approaches that of men as they age.”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Üsküdar University, made evaluations regarding the menopausal period.
Physical and psychological changes occur in women
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that menopause is a natural process that occurs in all women's lives, saying, “Menopause manifests as the cessation of menstrual bleeding for a year or longer and the end of fertility, resulting from decreased estrogen and progesterone due to reduced ovarian function. The average age of menopause onset in our country is between 45-52. The menopausal period is perceived differently by each woman; some experience significant changes in life comfort, while others do not. The decrease in estrogen affects not only the reproductive organs but also other body systems. During this period, due to the loss of ovarian function, biological, physical, and psychological changes occur. Many women may experience health issues such as vasomotor, psychological, and urogenital symptoms, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and dementia, and this situation can negatively affect women's quality of life and daily activities.”
Problems like hot flashes negatively affect women's health
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin noted that symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep problems, depression, and sexual dysfunction during this period can negatively affect women's health biologically, psychologically, and socially, adding, “While the difficulties experienced during this period can be influenced by many factors, healthy lifestyle behaviors can lead to positive outcomes. Minimizing and managing health-related risks during menopause can be achieved by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Healthy lifestyle behaviors consist of components such as balanced nutrition, exercise, self-actualization, taking responsibility for health, not smoking, establishing positive interpersonal relationships, and stress management.”
Osteoporosis is frequently observed in menopausal women
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that osteoporosis is also a common bone disease seen in menopausal women, and continued as follows:
“In recent years, parallel to the increase in the elderly population in our country, the incidence of osteoporosis is also gradually increasing and is observed in one out of three postmenopausal women. The rate of bone mass loss varies among women, but approximately 30 percent of bone mass is lost after menopause. Osteoporosis affects all bones in the body and may not show any signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs, which is why risk assessment for osteoporosis should be performed in menopausal women. Bone mineral density (BMD) assessment is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. Although drug treatment and BMD screening are important, the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures can be prevented with appropriate management of diet, lifestyle, and fall prevention interventions. Increasing awareness and knowledge about osteoporosis and preventive measures is crucial.”
What happens to heart disease risk as women age?
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin also stated that heart diseases are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in both women and men, adding, “While men are at a higher risk for heart diseases at younger ages, women's risk of heart disease approaches that of men as they age. Lifestyle measures are among the needed priorities in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity during the menopausal period. Supporting healthy lifestyle behaviors such as healthy eating, physical activity, weight control, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption are among the important initiatives to be planned for women in the postmenopausal period.”
It is possible to have a healthier menopausal period!
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Üsküdar University, stated that there are various treatment approaches, such as hormonal, non-hormonal, complementary, and alternative medicine practices, for reducing menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life, concluding his words by saying, “It is important for healthcare professionals to have knowledge about the risks, benefits, and mechanisms of action of these preferred practices in reducing menopausal symptoms to guide women. In the treatment of these symptoms observed during menopause, hormone replacement therapy is frequently used, as well as complementary and alternative treatment methods. In this process, by adopting a multidisciplinary approach to identify women's health needs, plan health education and counseling services, and provide medical treatments in necessary cases, women will be able to effectively cope with these issues and have a healthier menopausal period.”
