Hot flashes are among the most well-known symptoms of menopause, but they are not the only ones. The hormonal changes that accompany this stage can affect sleep, mood, sexual desire, and even cardiovascular health.
However, many women do not associate these discomforts with menopause or view them as an inevitable consequence of aging.
“Hot flashes are the tip of the iceberg: they are visible, and that is why they are the best known. But underneath there is much more,” explains Dr. Ángel Arturo Blanes Martínez, a gynecology and obstetrics specialist at Clínica Blanes Valencia and a professor at the Universidad Católica de Valencia.
The expert participated on October 17 in the VI National Congress of Clínicas Dorsia, a gathering that brought together global leaders in aesthetic medicine.
In this context, he addresses the main changes the body undergoes during menopause and the importance of recognizing its symptoms.
The specialist emphasizes that menopause goes far beyond the cessation of menstruation. Understanding what happens in the body, recognizing the symptoms, and consulting when they affect quality of life are essential steps to face this transition with information and without resigning oneself to the discomfort.
The symptoms of menopause that many women overlook
During menopause, the ovaries reduce their activity and levels of estrogen and progesterone fall.
These hormones do not only participate in the menstrual cycle; they also influence sleep, mood, body temperature, skin, bones, and cardiovascular health.
Therefore, in addition to hot flashes and night sweats, there can appear symptoms that many women do not associate with this stage. Among them are fatigue, difficulties sleeping, mood swings, problems with concentration, and joint pain.
Changes in the sexual and genitourinary sphere can also occur, such as a decrease in sexual desire, vaginal dryness, urinary discomfort, or pain during intercourse.
These are symptoms that, at times, are experienced in silence and for which there are treatment options.
The skin can also undergo changes, becoming drier and thinner. Likewise, during this stage there can be a loss of muscle mass and a greater tendency to accumulate fat in the abdominal area.
At the same time, attention should be paid to cardiovascular risk factors, such as cholesterol and blood pressure.
Not all women experience these symptoms in the same way. “Comparing is not useful,” warns Blanes. Genetics, prior health status, lifestyle, and personal and emotional circumstances influence how the menopause transition is lived.
What treatments work and which false promises to avoid
The growing interest in menopause has propelled the popularity of supplements, products, and strategies that promise to balance hormones naturally.
Nevertheless, the gynecologist recalls the importance of distinguishing between habits that help improve well-being and treatments that have scientific evidence to relieve specific symptoms.
“We do not have any natural way to prevent estrogen levels from falling. It is part of every woman’s nature during menopause,” he explains.
A balanced diet, physical activity, adequate rest, and stress management can contribute to a higher quality of life during this stage, but they do not replace medical treatments when these are needed.
To relieve hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, hormone therapy can be an effective option in women who are appropriately selected. Its indication should be individualized, taking into account symptoms, medical history, and potential risks and benefits.
There are also non-hormonal alternatives for certain patients.
The specialist particularly highlights the importance of resistance training, which helps preserve muscle mass and contributes to maintaining bone health. In addition to that, a varied diet, adequate rest, and monitoring cardiovascular health are essential.
Regarding supplements, his recommendation is to avoid self-medication and not to take products simply because other women use them. Each case requires an individual assessment to determine which options may be useful.
When to consult a gynecologist and which symptoms should not be normalized
You do not need to wait for the discomfort to become severe to consult a specialist.
If changes affect sleep, mood, sexual life, or work performance, it is advisable to seek a medical evaluation to identify possible causes and to understand the available alternatives.
There are also symptoms that should not automatically be attributed to menopause.
Dr. Blanes points out in particular vaginal bleeding after twelve months without menses, as well as very heavy bleeding or the onset of new and intense symptoms, which require medical assessment.
Prevention also plays an important role. Approaching this stage with healthy habits, maintaining regular physical activity, and monitoring cardiovascular and bone health can help cope more effectively with the changes associated with menopause.
The specialist’s message is clear: one should not accept discomfort as inevitable nor give up seeking solutions. “Menopause is not the end of well-being: it is another stage, and today we have many tools and treatments to live it well,” he concludes.
