World Menopause Day, 18 October: why it is celebrated

Every 18 October marks World Menopause Day, a date to talk openly about a stage of life that every woman will go through. Menopause is not a disease, but it is a profound hormonal change that is worth understanding in order to look after your health in the medium and long term.

A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation. It usually happens at around the age of 50, although every woman has her own pace. If you are wondering when menopause starts and which signs announce it, the answer depends on genetic, health and lifestyle factors.

The World Health Organization points out that millions of women around the world go through this transition without enough information or support. That is why this day focuses on awareness and, above all, on prevention.

The importance of raising awareness and preventing disease

For decades, menopause has been experienced in silence. Many women accept hot flushes, insomnia or mood changes as normal and do not seek advice, missing the chance to prevent health problems that appear years later.

The key lies in oestrogens. These hormones protect the bones, the heart, the blood vessels and the metabolism. When their production falls, this protection is reduced and the risk of several conditions increases:

• Osteoporosis. Bone loss speeds up in the first years after menopause, raising the risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures.
• Cardiovascular disease. LDL cholesterol and blood pressure rise, and the heart loses part of its natural protection.
• Metabolic changes. Body fat is redistributed and tends to build up around the abdomen, and insulin resistance increases.
• Genitourinary changes. Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex and more frequent urinary infections.

Recognising the symptoms of menopause helps to identify this stage early and to act before complications appear.

Prevention starts with simple habits that are worth keeping up over time:

• Do strength exercises and walk every day to protect your bones and heart.
• Follow a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, fruit, vegetables and fish.
• Avoid tobacco and drink alcohol in moderation.
• Keep an eye on your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar with regular check-ups.
• Look after your sleep and your emotional health.

In addition, seeing an endocrinologist specialising in menopause makes it possible to assess each case individually and decide whether any treatment, such as hormone therapy, is advisable, based on each woman’s benefits and risks.

As for fertility, menopause marks the end of the natural reproductive stage. Women who wish to become mothers later in life can find out about the assisted reproduction options available.

Why is World Menopause Day celebrated on 18 October?

World Menopause Day is promoted by the International Menopause Society (IMS) together with the World Health Organization. The aim was to set an annual date, 18 October, for professionals, institutions and the media to talk about women’s health at this stage of life.

Rather than commemorating a specific event, the date serves as a meeting point. Each year the IMS chooses a central theme, such as bone health, cardiovascular health, emotional wellbeing or hormone therapy, and publishes educational materials for women and professionals.

Its main goals are to:

• Break the taboo that still surrounds menopause.
• Inform women about the physical and emotional changes it brings.
• Encourage the prevention of associated diseases, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular problems.
• Encourage women to see a specialist rather than simply putting up with their symptoms.

Frequently asked questions about menopause

What diseases can develop during menopause?

Menopause does not cause disease in itself, but the fall in oestrogens increases the risk of some conditions. The most common are osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and genitourinary syndrome, which includes vaginal dryness and urinary infections. Abdominal weight gain, sleep disorders and mood changes are also common. Regular check-ups allow them to be detected early.

Does menopause increase cardiovascular risk?

Yes. Before menopause, oestrogens help keep the arteries flexible and maintain a favourable cholesterol profile. Afterwards, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure and abdominal fat tend to rise. This is why, over the years, a woman’s cardiovascular risk becomes equal to a man’s. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in women, so monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar is essential.

How does menopause affect diabetes?

The drop in oestrogens favours insulin resistance and the build-up of fat around the abdomen, two factors that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes. In women who already have diabetes, menopause can make blood sugar harder to control. In addition, some symptoms, such as night sweats, can be mistaken for low blood sugar. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and checking blood sugar regularly all help to prevent it.

How does menopause affect the throat?

Oestrogens also keep the mucous membranes hydrated, including those of the mouth and throat. As levels fall, some women notice dryness, itching or a burning sensation in the throat. Changes in the voice may also appear, making it deeper or hoarser, along with a feeling of a lump in the throat, sometimes linked to anxiety. Drinking water, avoiding tobacco and seeing a doctor if the discomfort persists are the first steps.