October 18th is International Menopause Day!
To raise awareness of the symptoms and changes associated with the menopause, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Menopause Society have designated October as World Menopause Month and 18th October as World Menopause Day.
The menopause is a significant phase in a woman’s life, marked by hormonal changes. Around 9 million women in Germany are currently going through menopause, and by the end of 2025, approximately 12 percent of the world’s population – around one billion women – will be in this stage of life.
The first hormonal changes begin long before menopause itself, which typically occurs around the age of 51. The related symptoms not only occur during this period but can also persist for many years afterwards. There are over 34 known symptoms, including hot flushes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, joint pain, and hair loss.
The Most Common Menopause Symptoms
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Sleep disturbances: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, racing thoughts
- Mood swings
- Weight changes
- Irritability
- Hot flashes
- “Brain fog”: concentration problems, word-finding difficulties, lack of focus
- Loss of libido: reduced interest in sex
- Joint pain
- Changes in skin, hair, and nails
It is now also well known that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases after menopause. Symptoms such as heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and a racing heart can become more frequent during this stage – often occurring suddenly, whether at work, while shopping, or even during periods of rest at night. These heart-related symptoms are particularly common during perimenopause and the early postmenopausal phase.
Before menopause, women are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular issues than men. This is largely attributed to the protective effect of oestrogen, which is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease. However, during menopause, this protective effect diminishes due to the drop in oestrogen levels – increasing the likelihood of developing cardiovascular conditions.
At Lanserhof, we offer tailored therapies for women:
With the comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic options included in our Women’s Health programme, we at Lanserhof Sylt identify the root cause of hormonal imbalances and support you on your journey towards greater well-being.
Important to know: Women's hearts beat differently!
Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 35% of deaths among women worldwide, making them by far the leading cause of death in women. Despite this, they are often diagnosed and treated too late. One key reason is that the symptoms of cardiovascular disease in women often differ significantly from those in men. In addition, the risk factors for men and women can vary greatly.
Between 2010 and 2017, women made up less than 39% of participants in clinical studies. This significant gap in research severely limits the development of tailored treatments for cardiovascular diseases in women. According to an article published in The Lancet, cardiovascular disease in women remains under-researched, under-recognised, under-diagnosed, and under-treated.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases in Women
Gender equity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease can only be achieved if greater awareness is raised about the specific risk factors affecting women, rather than focusing solely on traditional risk factors, which are often based on male-dominated data. These female-specific risk factors include, for example, pregnancy complications, autoimmune diseases, depression, breast cancer, and arterial calcification in the chest area.
In addition, smoking and obesity pose a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease in women than in men.
80% of women under the age of 75 suffer from arterial hypertension, yet only 29% receive adequate treatment. Women with diabetes have a 45% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to men. Obesity increases the risk by 64% in women, while in men the same risk factor results in only a 46% increase.
Only by taking all these differences into account can we make a real impact and enable earlier and more targeted treatment of cardiovascular disease in women.
