5 Ways Caffeine Makes Menopause Worse

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Discover how coffee consumption can cause major problems for women

All women undergo life’s natural transition of menopause, although the symptoms associated with it can differ, with some experiencing more accentuated symptoms compared to others. Many menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, difficulty in sleeping, an increase in the risk of heart attack, and osteoporosis are aggravated by the consumption of caffeine. It has also been found that high consumption of coffee can bring on menopause at an earlier age than normal.

1 - Coffee consumption hinders absorption of minerals

Caffeine consumption has a direct affect on minerals that are vital for women’s well-being being absorbed and excreted. Consuming caffeine results in the reduction of the re-absorption of magnesium and calcium in the kidney, which causes the minerals being excreted by the urine. Calcium is essential for preventing osteoporosis and also for maintaining healthy functions of the nervous system and the heart. Magnesium is vital for the normal functioning of the body such as effective glucose utilization, metabolism of energy, healthy functioning of the heart, and proper balance of hormones. Coffee also hampers the absorption of iron. Iron is an important component in red blood cells and its deficiency is a contributory factor of anemia, which many menopausal women suffer from. Older women’s bodies find it difficult to compensate for the loss of these vital minerals.

2- Lower density of bone related to caffeine

High intake of coffee is also linked to an increase in the risk of older women suffering from lower density of bone. There is an increased rate of bone loss in women who consume large amounts of caffeine. Caffeine linked loss of bone is especially prevalent in women who do not have enough calcium in their diet.

3 -Caffeine consumption linked with increased hot flashes

Women who consume less coffee experience lower rates of hot flashes. Since coffee is also responsible for disrupting sleep, this results in increasing the intensity level of hot flashes. As a thumb rule, women who suffer from hot flashes are advised to reduce their consumption of coffee.

4- Stress hormones are elevated by caffeine consumption

The levels of stress hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine are elevated by caffeine. These hormones cause an increase in the heart rate along with blood pressure, which results in a sense of "panic response". Oxygen to the extremities and the brain is reduced, and there is a suppression of the immune system.

The objective of this "panic response" normally is to provide a temporary boost of energy during an emergency when there is a necessity of fighting or fleeing. However, with the sedentary lifestyle of today, the artificial elevation of stress hormones due to consuming coffee has negative effects on women’s health, especially in post-menopausal women.

5- Caffeine interacts negatively with hormones

Postmenopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT), who also consume caffeine have increased chances of getting Parkinson’s Disease, an ailment related to advancing age.

Caffeine consumption has various other negative effects on women such as increasing the levels of homocysteine, which is responsible increasing the risk of getting osteoporotic fractures. It increases the levels of serum cholesterol. And it also interferes with the metabolism of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is important for the management of stress and mood, along with the proper functioning of the heart. Many menopausal women complain that caffeine induces hot flushes and this can be read in details in a book written by Dr Susan Lark. Dr Susan Lark’s the Menopause Self Help Book: A Woman’s Guide to Feeling Wonderful for the …. Published 1990 Celestial Arts Consumer Health.

Since caffeine impacts almost all aspects of women’s health, it is recommended that postmenopausal women should either lower or eliminate their caffeine consumption. Changes in the diet, which includes replacing caffeine with other healthier substitutes, can help to reduce the above-mentioned symptoms and conditions substantially.

By M. Kushner
Published: 12/11/2007

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