8 Ways Women’s Bodies Change After 40 & What To Do About It
By DR. THAÏS ALIABADI on 05/07/18 (last updated on 07/07/2022)
How Women’s Bodies Change with Age: 30, 40, 50 & Beyond (canyonranch.com)
Despite some Silicon Valley entrepreneurs’ efforts to achieve immortality, aging still appears to be unavoidable. If you’re concerned about aging (and who isn’t?), we’ve put together eight changes that usually occur to women in their 40s. But don’t despair!
There are ways you can remedy, alleviate, even accommodate this change in your life.
“After the age of 20, the dermis layer produces 1% less collagen each year.
It is a natural ageing process known as intrinsic ageing,” says our Clinical Director
Dr. Garry Cussell. “The collagen and elastin fibres become thinner and looser as we age, which means our skin is less elastic, which eventually causes wrinkling and sagging.”
Wrinkles, a natural part of aging, are most prominent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms. Although genetics mainly determine skin structure and texture, sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, especially for people with light skin. Pollutants and smoking also contribute to wrinkling. Collagen | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
How much muscle mass do you lose after 30? – Search (bing.com)
After age 30, you begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% per decade. …Age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging. From around the age of 40, we start to lose muscle mass naturally, probably as the male hormone testosterone declines along with lower levels of physical activity.
The natural loss may be around 3 percent to 10 percent of muscle mass per decade after age 50 and perhaps even more for those in less-than-ideal health. Muscle is a soft tissue found in most animals. Muscle cells contain protein filaments of actin and myosin that slide past one another, producing a contraction that changes both the length and the shape of the cell.
How much muscle mass do you lose after 40? – Bing video.
Muscles function to produce force and motion. They are primarily responsible for maintaining and changing posture, locomotion, as well as movement of internal organs, such as the contraction of the heart and the movement of food through the digestive system via peristalsis. Muscle tissues are derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells in a process known as myogenesis. There are three types of muscle, skeletal or striated, cardiac, and smooth. Experts Agree: People Over 40 Should Swap Red Meat For This Protein For A Longer Life (msn.com)
Muscle action can be classified as being either voluntary or involuntary.
Cardiac and smooth muscles contract without conscious thought and are also termed involuntary, whereas the skeletal muscles contract upon command. Skeletal muscles in turn can be divided into fast and slow twitch fibers. Muscles are predominantly powered by the oxidation of fats and carbohydrates, but anaerobic chemical reactions are also used, particularly by fast twitch fibers.
1. After age 40, your metabolism begins to slow down
Exercise and slow metabolism. As we grow older, the efficiency with which our body produces energy is markedly decreased. Even if the routine of our daily activities doesn’t change as we age, less of our caloric intake is burned. This causes a reduction in the energy produced, and the unburnt calories cruelly turn into fat.
The remedy is simple, but simple is not always easy – both your diet and exercise routine must significantly change. A smaller caloric intake, coupled with an increase in regular exercise, will help you maintain the weight and energy levels of your younger self.
Keep this up into middle age and beyond and watch longevity become your best friend.
(Caveat: an increase in willpower is also required.)
2. Why is my hair falling out?
Only a small percentage of women actually lose enough hair to cause bald spots.
But in their 40s, most women will also experience their hair thinning out a bit.
Estrogen plays a significant role in women’s hair growth. It’s not surprising that
hair loss increases as the approach of menopause causes estrogen production
to decrease.
To alleviate thinning hair, you can reduce the frequency of washing your hair.
This allows the natural oils produced by your scalp to better condition your locks.
Always use a conditioner, limit the use of styling tools that rely on applications of
heat, and limit chemical treatments like coloring. To restore some hair growth,
Minoxidil has shown some efficacy.
3. Your bladder can sometimes elude your control
Again, the culprit is the decrease in estrogen production that accompanies perimenopause (the period preceding true menopause). Estrogen loss weakens the muscles that support the bladder and the urethra. When the muscles are weakened, any abrupt clenching of
the diaphragm can lead to leakage. This means you can no longer safely (or dryly) cough, sneeze, or enjoy a good belly laugh. (If it makes you feel any better, men have their own significant problems in this regard.)
There are several effective remedies for incontinence.
They can enable you to resume fearlessly laughing, coughing, and sneezing with gusto. Taking off a few extra pounds will alleviate pressure on the bladder, and reducing your intake of alcohol and caffeinated beverages will make leaks less likely. Kegel exercises will help rebuild the weakened bladder and urethral muscles. If none of these methods provide a cure, your treating OB/GYN can provide medical procedures that are very effective.
4. Memory loss: your brain goes AWOL
There’s got to be a good reason why you’re standing in front of the fridge, right?
Some loss of brain function between perimenopause and postmenopause is so common among women as to be almost unavoidable. One more time, it’s that pesky midlife refusal of the ovaries to pump out the usual dosage of estrogen that causes problems.
Women have estrogen receptors in two brain areas that control memory,
and when there’s less estrogen, there are negative structural changes in
those areas. Brain exercises and menopause memory loss.
But there’s some good news about memory loss!
Just because brain fog is normal doesn’t mean that you can’t fight it! Your brain’s operational efficiency is largely dependent on the amount of oxygen provided to it
by your bloodstream. So, what’s good for your heart is good for your brain.
This means a vigorous program of exercise, a healthy diet, and effective stress management. And work your brain! Crossword puzzles, reading difficult books, and similar brain exercises will maintain your brain function, including your recollection that it was the mayonnaise you were looking for. Also, your brain’s unplanned vacation isn’t permanent. The brain bounces back after menopause. It adapts to lower estrogen levels, and it compensates.
5. Urinary problems will increase as you get older
According to Lauren Streicher, M.D., director of the Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, estrogen appears to provide protection against the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. UTIs become more common in women as perimenopause, and then menopause, shut down the ovaries’ production of estrogen.
Most urinary tract infections can be treated quickly and easily with antibiotics, and fortunately, symptoms usually disappear within two days. When taking antibiotics, it’s important to take all of the doses prescribed, even if you are feeling better before you run out of your medication. Failing to take the entire prescription as recommended could result in a relapse of the infection.
6. Often, in your 40s, your menstrual period can become unpredictable
By the time you reach post-menopause, your periods have permanently ceased.
However, from perimenopause through menopause itself, the reduction in estrogen production can be wildly unpredictable. This can result in varying menstrual patterns; periods can be either closer together or farther apart.
Some cycles will have an extremely heavy flow, and there may be months where your period doesn’t occur at all. Most of the more effective remedies for chaotic menstrual cycles, such as oral contraceptives or hormone-releasing IUDs, must be administered under a doctor’s supervision. If menstrual irregularity becomes bothersome, see your OB/GYN.
7. Now we have to deal with vaginal dryness as well?
Another problem that creeps up with age is vaginal dryness.
Dr. Aliabadi was asked about sex and vaginal dryness on The Doctors TV show.
She responded, “low hormone levels begin to make the vaginal walls thin and dry.
Vaginal sexual activity is very important.
It helps with stimulating blood flow to the vagina, keeping vaginal muscles toned,
and helps to maintain elasticity and the length of the vagina.” If vaginal dryness is a problem for you, try using an over-the-counter vaginal lubricant or also talk to your
health care provider for prescription relief with a vaginal hormone cream.
8. Loss of Estrogen
If you’ve been paying attention here, you’ll notice an overarching theme.
The ovaries’ reduced production of estrogen, it begins during perimenopause
and finalizes in menopause itself, is the villain in most of the above scenarios.
So, why not replace all that missing estrogen with a robust program of hormone therapy?
The answer: Traditional hormone therapy presents an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke, so it is contraindicated for most of the minor problems that women face beginning in their 40s. When traditional hormone replacement therapy is appropriate, it must be administered under the careful supervision of a qualified physician, usually a gynecologist.
However, there’s a compromise available. Local estrogen, applied as a topical cream, provides a lower dosage of estrogen. More importantly, the hormone is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, so it’s less likely to affect the rest of the body. See your OB/GYN to learn if locally applied estrogen may be effective in alleviating your problems.
About Dr. Aliabadi
As one of the nation’s leading OB/GYNs, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi offers the very best
in obstetrics and gynecology, including telehealth appointments. Together with her
warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi supports women through all phases of life.
She creates a special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi.
Please click here to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863-6700.
We take our patients’ safety very seriously. Our facility’s Covid-19 patient safety procedures exceed all CDC and World Health Organization recommendations.
Masks are required in our office at all times during the coronavirus pandemic.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles, also Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles. Follow me: Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi (@drthaisaliabadi) • Instagram photos and videos
Highly trained and honored by the medical community.
Dr. Thais Aliabadi is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Diplomat of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She implements the most advanced, state-of-the-art technology and treatment options.
Dr. Aliabadi specializes in up-to-date, minimally invasive surgical techniques, promising her patients shorter recovery times, reduced pain, and the least interruption to their daily lives. Supported by her warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi treats women through all phases of life and cherishes the special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor. 40 Ways Your Body Changes After 40 – Changes with Aging (bestlifeonline.com)
The Common Mineral Deficiency That Increases Risk Of Breast Cancer
Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone.
The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet.
Iodine is found in various foods (see Table 1). If you do not have enough
iodine in your body, you cannot make enough thyroid hormone.
Thus, iodine deficiency can lead to enlargement of the thyroid (goiter – see the Goiter brochure), hypothyroidism (see Hypothyroidism brochure) and to intellectual disabilities in infants and children whose mothers were iodine deficient during pregnancy.
Before the 1920s, iodine deficiency was common in the Great Lakes, Appalachian, and Northwestern U.S. regions and in most of Canada. Prevention of iodine deficiency by the introduction of iodized salt has virtually eliminated iodine deficiency and the so-called “goiter belt” in these areas. However, many other parts of the world do not have enough iodine available through their diet and iodine deficiency continues to be an important public health problem globally. Approximately 30% of the world’s population remains
at risk for iodine deficiency.
Iodine and your body
(i) The Thyroid
Think of iodine and most people think of the thyroid gland, and little else.
Iodine is essential for the proper function of this gland. Iodine is a chemical element. Normally, you absorb iodine as a salt, for example potassium iodide. In fact, nowhere in the body uses iodine directly. Your thyroid reduces iodine and iodide, which is used to build two hormones – thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
If the thyroid doesn’t receive enough iodine, it can’t make enough of these hormones, and the result is Hypothyroidism – result: fatigue, lowered metabolism, headaches, increased weight etc. If this is the case, the doctor MUST do a test to determine iodine levels before recommending treatment. Sadly, many doctors put the patient straight on to synthetic thyroxine supplementation. This is neglect.
Two American doctors wrote to us saying that they always test for low iodine, and find it
in 80% or more of cases – only rarely do they need to provide thyroxine supplementation. Apparently, levels of iodine
in the body in Americans have fallen 50% over the past 40 years. We have covered that synthetic thyroxine can be linked to increased levels of breast cancer. But women who haven’t been tested for iodine deficiency also run the risk of the double whammy –
having low iodine AND taking something that can cause breast cancer!
READ MORE Iodine and Cancer | CANCERactive
Dr David Brownstein Iodine
Iodine is truly the most misunderstood nutrient.
Iodine: Why You Need It. Why You Can’t Live Without It. 5th Edition
Not only is iodine necessary for the production of thyroid, but it is also responsible
for the production of all the other hormones in the body. Adequate iodine levels are
necessary for proper immune function, as well.
To Purchase the Book: David Brownstein: Amazon.com: Books
80% of all Breast cancer has Low Iodine Levels – Search (bing.com)
Vaginal Discharge
Fertility and Pregnancy
PMS | PMDD
Period Symptoms
Menstrual Irregularities
Hormone Imbalance
Health and Healing
Do You Have Low Progesterone or High Estrogen
Low progesterone and high estrogen can both manifest as PMS,
period pain, or other menstrual disharmonies.
So how can you tell which is the cause of your symptoms?
Estrogen dominance & Progesterone deficiency – The Holland Clinic
If you suffer from PMS, period pain, or other menstrual disharmonies, you may be wondering if they are caused by high estrogen or low progesterone. You’ve probably learned igh estrogen levels (estrogen dominance) can produce PMS, mood swings, fibroids, PCOS, endometriosis, and a whole slew of other menstrual problems.
But so can progesterone deficiency, because estrogen dominance is often accompanied
by low progesterone levels (when one is too high, the other will become relatively low).
It can be confusing to sort through the often-contradictory symptoms and come up
with a correct diagnosis.
Low Progesterone or High Estrogen
In this post, I’ll help you make a distinction between these two common patterns
of hormonal imbalances so you can get down to the bottom of your symptoms –
and choose the right remedies.
Here’s the key:
High estrogen levels tend to manifest as signs of excess, whereas,
low progesterone levels are likely to produce symptoms of deficiency.
Below are some examples:
Emotional Symptoms of High Estrogen Versus Low Progesterone
If you have estrogen dominance, you may experience more “turmoil mood symptoms,” such as anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, anger, tension, mood swings, impatience, irritability, oversensitivity, or feeling overwhelmed or out of control.
On the other hand, if you have progesterone deficiency, you may experience more
“Blue mood symptoms,” such as feeling depressed or sad, crying easily, loneliness,
a lowered desire to talk or move, a feeling of unattractiveness, low self-image,
or sleeping more than usual.
Physical and Mental Symptoms of High Estrogen Versus Low Progesterone
Estrogen dominance tends to manifest itself as various symptoms of excess,
such as bloating, nausea, gas, acne, breast tenderness, pulsing headaches, etc.
Whereas progesterone deficiency can make you feel tired, or cause you to experience mental fog, food cravings, diarrhea, dizziness, dull headaches, or a decreased sexual desire. Both high estrogen and low progesterone can cause insomnia.
To learn the difference, check out high estrogen insomnia vs. low progesterone insomnia.
Menstrual Symptoms of High Estrogen Versus Low Progesterone.
When estrogen levels are too high, there may be a build-up of the uterine lining,
which can cause intense, stabbing pains during period, and heavy menstrual bleeding
with dark clots.
BONUS: Woman reveals the cervical cancer symptom
so ‘mild’ she almost dismissed it (msn.com)
Due to the stagnation in the reproductive organs, you may feel bloated in the abdomen, have swollen and painful breasts, or experience pain one to two days
before your period.
Since progesterone deficiency often accompanies estrogen dominance,
you may experience similar symptoms if your progesterone levels are low.
But the strength is likely to be weaker.
For example, you may have more of a dull pain or dragging sensation in the lower abdomen, which is often relieved by pressure or massage. The color of your menstrual blood is not as dark, and the amount of your bleeding is also less.
As you can see, though similar, the signs of estrogen dominance versus
symptoms of progesterone deficiency differ in intensity and strength.
Here are a couple simple questions to ask yourself when faced with
mixed signs: “Do my overall symptoms suggest excess or deficiency?
Do I feel robust or weak?”
If you feel robust and have more of the symptoms of excess, estrogen dominance may be the underlying cause of your hormonal imbalance. Study the 5 leading causes of estrogen dominance and learn natural ways to low elevated estrogen levels.
If you feel weak and have more of the symptoms of deficiency, you might want to focus
on supporting progesterone. Review the 7 common causes of progesterone deficiency and learn how to use natural supplements to increase your progesterone production naturally.
I hope you find this post helpful. As always, please leave a comment to share your questions, thoughts and experiences. High estrogen and Low progesterone video.
Boost Progesterone
Chasteberry (proven to help treat low progesterone and regulate menstrual
cycles in more than 60 years of clinical research, including 5 randomized trials)
Vitamin B6 (one of the best vitamins to boost progesterone)
Progesterone Cream (bio-identical hormonal support)
Reduce Estrogen Dominance
Liver Cleanse Detox and Repair Formula (support liver functions)
Dim Plus (improve estrogen metabolism)
Support Adrenal and Thyroid Functions
Adrenal Health Daily Support (promote overall hormone balance)
Thyroid Support Complex (support energy and metabolism)
Balance Nutrition
Once Daily Organic Whole Food Vitamin Supplement
(provide essential nutrients for health and hormone balance)
Liquid Iron (support healthy blood)
Fish Oil (help reduce inflammation and support overall health)
Spirulina (help purify the blood and reduce inflammation and oxidation)
Recommended Reading
The Hormone Cure, by Dr. Sara Gottfried
Cooking for Hormone Balance, by Magdalena Wszelaki
Related Posts:
Common Signs of Progesterone Deficiency
Hormone Imbalance and Sleep Disorders
What Are Symptoms of Low Progesterone in Perimenopause
Low Progesterone Insomnia
High Estrogen Insomnia
Causes of Estrogen Deficiency: 5 Primary Reasons for Low Estrogen
Progesterone Deficiency: 3 Reasons Why Your Progesterone Level is Low
Natural Supplements to Increase Progesterone
What Causes Excess Estrogen: Five Leading Causes of Estrogen Dominance
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8PM to 8AM Intermittent Fasting…yay or nay – Search (bing.com)
What Are Symptoms of Low Progesterone in Perimenopause
Why Adrenal Exhaustion Leads to Estrogen Dominance?
Estrogen Dominance During Perimenopause
Signs of Estrogen Dominance or Deficiency
How to Lower Estrogen Dominance
High Estrogen Insomnia
Low Progesterone Insomnia
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