Menopause health: Metabolic shifts and hormone therapy re-evaluated

Medical experts are providing new insights into managing health during perimenopause and menopause, focusing on metabolic shifts and hormone therapy.

Nutritionist Cori Grămescu explains that menopause triggers a biochemical paradigm shift where traditional weight loss methods often fail. Rather than a dramatic increase in total weight, the primary metabolic change is a redistribution of fat toward the abdominal and visceral areas, accompanied by a loss of muscle mass. This shift requires a focus on improving body composition and protecting muscle density rather than just monitoring calorie intake.

Additionally, Prof. Dr. Gheorghe Peltecu notes that hormone therapy is being re-evaluated after 25 years of widespread avoidance due to fears of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. New data suggests that risks are not uniform and depend heavily on the patient's age, the timing of the treatment, and the specific type of therapy used. The concept of a ‘window of opportunity’ is central to determining the balance between benefits and risks for individual women.