Gynaecologist explains how early menopause raises women's risk of heart disease and ways to lower risk

Early menopause, marked by an abrupt drop in estrogen, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here’s why women need to pay closer attention to cardiovascular health during this stage (Image: Pexels)

Menopause is a normal stage of life for every woman and typically occurs between the ages of 45-55. When it comes earlier — before a woman turns 45 — early menopause is the name for it. But it’s not just the end of your baby-making years, because this also comes with a range of health risks that go well beyond fertility. Among the most significant of these concerns is its link to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the primary cause of death in women worldwide.

The missing piece of the puzzle is the role of estrogen, a hormone that helps to keep blood vessels and heart in good shape. Estrogen promotes healthy cholesterol levels, keeps blood vessels elastic and reduces inflammation. When this protective hormone is depleted too soon, the heart and circulatory system are more vulnerable to harm longer, dramatically increasing risk for heart disease and stroke.

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Dr Monika Jani, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at Bhailal Amin General Hospital Vadodara Gujarat told Moneycontrol that women who experience early menopause should have more intensive cardiovascular follow-up. Knowing what changes take place in the body with estrogen deprivation can enable women and their doctors to follow preventive strategies, from lifestyle changes to medical therapies. This knowledge is important for preventing future health problems.

Chronic Deficiency of Estrogen

Since estrogen helps keep blood vessels healthy. With early menopause, the protracted lack of estrogen leaves the heart and vessels unprotected, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Effects on Cholesterol Levels

Estrogen regulates lipid metabolism. Its deficiency often results in:

-high bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides

–Reduced good cholesterol (HDL)

-This imbalance encourages the build-up of arterial plaque—which is a major cause of heart attacks.

-Endothelial Dysfunction

Blood vessels’ inner lining, an endothelium, needs estrogen to function smoothly. Without it, blood vessels are less elastic and stiffer, making them unable to repair as well — a process contributing to high blood pressure and vascular damage.

Cellular and Inflammatory Changes

Early menopause may induce oxidative stress or chronic inflammation in blood vessels. These changes also speed up atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which in turn raises cardiovascular risk.

Abdominal Fat and Weight Gain

This is often a result of redistribution of body fat around the abdomen. This visceral fat is metabolically active and can accumulate in the liver or pancreas, boosting insulin resistance and risk of diabetes as well as heart disease.

Longer Exposure to Risk

Estradiol deficiency perspective Women with early menopause have a longer number of years without estrogen protection. Over the course of decades, this prolonged exposure results in more cardiovascular harm than does a later menopause, compared with women who went through menopause at a later age.

Strategies to Lower the Risk

Women can do much to safeguard heart health:

• Eat a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Stay physically active
• Avoid smoking and excess alcohol
• Keep cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose in check regularly
• Have a conversation with a doctor about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), if necessary

FAQs About Early Menopause

1. What is early menopause?
Early menopause refers to the onset of menopause before the age of 45.

2. What are the risks associated with early menopause?
Early menopause increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as other health issues due to prolonged estrogen deficiency.

3. How does estrogen deficiency affect cardiovascular health?
Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, blood vessel elasticity, and reduces inflammation. Its deficiency heightens the risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. What can women do to lower the cardiovascular risks associated with early menopause?
Women can eat a balanced diet, stay active, avoid smoking and excess alcohol, monitor their health metrics, and discuss HRT with their doctor.

5. Why is cardiovascular follow-up important for women with early menopause?
Regular cardiovascular follow-up helps in monitoring and managing health risks arising from prolonged estrogen deficiency.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.