Age-related changes in women

DR MAXWELL ADEYEMI

We will all grow old, and the ageing process is accompanied by a variety of changes in men and women. Generally, as women age, certain changes occur that impact their physical, physiological and reproductive health.

Fertility decline

The single most important factor influencing a woman’s fertility is her age. A woman is born with all of the eggs she will ever have in her life. Her eggs decline in quality and quantity as she ages. While good health increases the likelihood of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby, it does not compensate for the effects of age on a woman’s fertility.

We may feel unprepared to have a baby right now while also being concerned about not being able to become pregnant later. For these reasons, it is critical to understand how ageing affects the chances of conceiving, carrying a pregnancy to term and also, the general reproductive health of a woman.

As women get older their fertility naturally declines. However, the time that that decline begins and the rate at which it progresses vary widely in women, but always begin well before menopause. Fertility generally begins to decline in your late 20s or early 30s, and it becomes more rapid after the age of 35.

Ovarian reserve

The quantity and quality of the ovarian primordial follicular reservoir is defined by ovarian reserve. In women of reproductive age, poor ovarian reserve refers to a decrease in the quantity of ovarian follicular pool. Some women in their mid to late 30s and even early 40s have no difficulty conceiving. Many other women struggle to conceive or are unable to bring a pregnancy to term. A woman is born with a finite number of eggs (about two million). Only a few hundred eggs will ovulate during a her reproductive lifespan, and the vast majority of eggs will die off due to a process known as atresia.

Quality of eggs

A chromosomally normal egg has 23 chromosomes and when fertilised by the sperm, which also has 23 chromosomes, the resulting chromosomally normal embryo will have a total of 46 chromosomes. As a woman’s ovary ages, the number of aneuploidy eggs (eggs with too few or too many chromosomes) increases. The embryo will inherit too few or too many chromosomes if it is conceived with an aneuploidy egg. The majority of aneuploidy embryos fail to implant in the uterus or result in miscarriage. Aneuploidy embryos can cause chromosomal diseases including Down syndrome and an extra copy of chromosome 21, in some cases causing developmental and intellectual delays in children if born.

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is the term for pain experienced during intercourse. Due to lack of oestrogen, sex is painful for more mature women. Oestrogen helps repair the vaginal lining by generating new cells and encourages the release of natural lubricants that minimises friction during intercourse. But because the body produces less oestrogen when a woman gets older, her vaginal lining thins, shrinks, and dries out and the vagina loses its elasticity. Penetration can become uncomfortable when the tissue inside the vagina thins, and if it thins enough it may tear or bleed during sex. A woman may experience anxiety as a result of painful sex, which diminishes lubrication even further causing her to clench her vaginal muscles during intercourse. If this happens, a woman should apply a lubricant to her vagina or her partner’s penis prior to intercourse. Water-based lubricant should be used if you are not totally menopausal or if you and your partner use condoms, as these can be damaged by oil-based lubricants, making them less effective.

Hot flashes

A hot flash is a sudden sensation of warmth in the upper body, most commonly felt in the face, neck, and chest. It can also make you sweat. One of the most typical signs of menopause is hot flashes. They can start during perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, and endure for seven to ten years. For different women they happen at different times. Heart palpitations, anxiety, and stress are all possible side effects of hot flashes. It may cause sleep disturbances, resulting in weariness and mood swings noted as women get older.

Extreme tiredness

As we age the hormones oestrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and adrenal fluctuate a lot and can have a big impact on our energy levels. This is because all of these hormones have a role in the body’s cellular energy regulation. As a result, as you become older, you may find yourself drained and tired most of the time.

Osteoporosis

Women are four times more likely to have osteoporosis than men, as it is possible to lose 25 per cent of bone density after menopause. Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes bones to thin, increasing the risk of fractures. The hips, wrists, and spine are the most typical locations where fractures or breaks occur. To get ahead of the disease it is a good idea to adopt lifestyle changes and take supplements. You can talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about the best steps to take.

Weight gain

Changing hormone levels have a negative impact on a woman’s metabolism, making it easy for her to gain weight. Although it may not appear to be a health danger, a lack of weight control can lead to other more significant illnesses. A woman with slower metabolism is likewise more likely to lose lean tissue mass. Menopausal belly obesity can lead to more significant health problems because fat around the stomach raises the risk of type-2 diabetes, as well as heart and other diseases.

Contact Dr Maxwell on 363-1807 or 757-5411.