Women's Health in Menopause

On October 18, World Menopause Day is celebrated. Various changes affect women during this period.

According to the research Experience and Attitudes in Menopause, conducted by the pharmaceutical company Astellas in six countries, 8 out of 10 Brazilian women have experienced negative psychological feelings due to menopause, including anxiety (58%), depression (26%), embarrassment (20%), and shame (16%). Compared to global numbers, Brazilian women seem to suffer more from these symptoms. We listened to some specialists in the field for tips on how to live well during this period:

Sleep Medicine and Pulmonologist Jessica Polese

“The hormonal changes typical of this phase are among the main causes of symptoms such as nighttime awakenings, insomnia, difficulty maintaining deep sleep, and early awakenings,” she explains.

“These factors can lead to chronic fatigue, decreased work performance, and even increase the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Each patient should be evaluated individually. Sleep treatment during menopause needs to be multidisciplinary and can include everything from behavioral adjustments to personalized medical interventions. The goal is to restore quality of life and energy to these women's daily lives,” the doctor adds.

Dermatologist Karina Mazzini

“It is common to notice changes in the skin - such as increased sagging, dryness, and more pronounced wrinkles. “These changes occur because the drop in estrogen reduces the natural production of collagen, an essential protein for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity,” the doctor highlights.

According to her, during this phase, in addition to doubling attention to daily care, it is important to invest in treatments that stimulate collagen, helping to recover the vitality and quality of the skin. “Having the guidance of a dermatologist makes all the difference - they will indicate the most suitable products and procedures for each woman to go through this phase with health and self-esteem,” Karina reinforces.

Doctor Renata Melo: “Many women come to the clinic complaining of thinner, more brittle, and less voluminous hair. This occurs due to the drop in estrogen levels, a hormone that plays an important role in hair health. The decrease of this hormone can lead to reduced hair growth, making it more fragile. In addition, the relative increase in testosterone can contribute to thinning and hair loss in some areas. Therefore, it is important to invest in hair treatments that help maintain the health and appearance of the strands.

Among them, we have Needle-Free Microinfusion of Medications into the Skin (MMP), which delivers active ingredients directly to the scalp; the non-ablative fractional Erbium YAG 2940 nm Laser; Microneedling Radiofrequency; Low Level Laser Therapy, Microlyser, and Photobiomodulation, which stimulates scalp cells, promotes healing, reduces inflammation, and strengthens the strands by improving blood circulation, are examples of technologies that can be used.

Endocrinologist Gisele Lorenzoni:

Endocrinologist Gisele Lorenzoni emphasizes that women should not feel ashamed. “It is important for women to know that weight gain during menopause is not their fault. This is a natural phase, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 56, marked by physical and emotional transformations. The drop in female hormones directly affects metabolism, fat distribution, and even appetite — which explains weight gain even without changes in diet. Therefore, I always emphasize the importance of medical follow-up.” — the doctor highlights.

Gisele gave some tips on what can be done as treatment. “Before indicating treatment, we will research the entire history of the patient, to provide an indicated prophylaxis that does not cause side effects. Hormone replacement may be indicated in some cases, but habits such as a balanced diet, exercise, quality sleep, and stress management make all the difference. Gaining weight during menopause is common, but it is not inevitable: with guidance and strategy, it is possible to maintain health, energy, and quality of life.”