Learn how hormone replacement therapy can preserve lung size and lung function after menopause.
According to new research released earlier this month, going through menopause decreases lung function roughly as much as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day for 10 years.
The study, which was recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, came from researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway. The researchers compared serum samples, spirometry results, and respiratory and reproductive health questionnaires from 1,438 women in different stages of menopause who had participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. They found that these women displayed accelerated decline in both lung function and lung size. The decline in lung function was similar to what would be expected in an individual who had smoked 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, while the decline in lung size was similar to an individual who had smoked 20 cigarettes per day for 2 years. Menopausal women who actually did smoke (in the past or at menopause) had an even greater decline in lung function.
The researchers posited two explanations for their findings:
Inflammation: Menopause brings with it many hormonal changes. Some of these changes have been linked to chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation takes a toll on virtually every aspect of health, including lung function.
Osteoporosis: As estrogen and other hormones decline at menopause, the normal cycle of bone tissue getting broken down and rebuilt gets out of balance. Bone breaks down faster, and rebuilding slows due to issues with calcium absorption. This causes women to “shrink.” As chest vertebrae shorten, this may reduce the space available to the lungs and limit the amount of air menopausal women take in at each breath.
Hormone Therapy Can Fight Inflammation and Osteoporosis
Reduced lung function can be very limiting, especially if you suffer from noticeable shortness of breath or fatigue. The good news is, hormone replacement therapy for women can preserve lung function by combatting both inflammation and osteoporosis. At Renew Youth™, we utilize a safe and effective treatment protocol to help menopausal women achieve a healthy balance in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid, cortisol, and other hormones that affect menopause symptoms and the aging process. We also offer quality supplements to further combat inflammation.
To learn more about our menopause treatment options, please contact us at 800-859-7511.