Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation; systemic endocrine recalibration.

Environment changes

• Estrogen decline affects bone, cardiovascular, cognitive, and gut systems
• Sleep architecture changes
• Metabolic rate decrease (~5% per decade)
• Vaginal and urogenital tissue changes

Key considerations

• Bone density monitoring essential
• Cardiovascular risk increases significantly
• Hormone therapy decision is individual and clinical
• Resistance training becomes more critical than ever