World Menopause Day is held every year on the 18th of October. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the menopause and the support options available for improving health and wellbeing.
The theme for World Menopause Day 2023 is Cardiovascular Disease.
The menopause is a natural event in a woman’s life that typically takes place between 45 and 55 years of age, as oestrogen levels decline. Menopause is a normal part of ageing, and should not be viewed as a disease. For some women it can even be a positive experience. However, for many it can have a significant negative impact on their health.
The impact of menopause on cardiovascular disease
If menopause happens at a particularly early age (i.e. below the age of 45) or at an age that is considered premature (i.e. below the age of 40), this can speed up the possible development of cardiovascular disease. However, menopause at the average age of 51 may lead to a heightened risk of developing the disease. Unless there is a good reason not to, the use of menopausal hormone therapy, particularly for women with premature and early menopause, is recommended to reduce the risks of heart disease.
“Cardiovascular risk represents a lifetime of choices and experiences, but menopause offers the opportunity of a single point in time to step back, take stock, and do all you can toward promoting future cardiovascular health for the rest of your life.”
– Professor Cynthia Stuenkel
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