9 October 2024

Menopause and NAD+

October is World Menopause month, and here at Vaion we have been digging deeper into the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and looking at ways women can make this transition as easy as possible. While the press is currently full of stories around menopause treatment in private practice and within the NHS, it seems that it has never been more relevant to discuss menopause and encourage awareness. In this article we will discuss what exactly menopause is, what symptoms are associated with it and how it can be managed medically and holistically.

What is Menopause?

The menopause is the time when a woman stops having periods and can no longer get pregnant naturally. The ovaries stop releasing eggs and no longer produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

There are three stages of the Menopause:

Perimenopause
Menopause
Post Menopause

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the stage leading up to the menopause and can be characterised by fluctuating hormones. Whilst symptoms may be noticeable, menstrual cycles may remain regular, causing confusion for women who may not recognise these changes as part of the perimenopause. It usually begins during the mid-40s, although it can start earlier.

Menopause

As the menopause approaches, there is a significant decline in the hormone Oestrogen and it is this reduction that may be responsible for the symptoms that occur during this stage. You reach the menopause when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age in the UK to reach the menopause is 51.

Post Menopause

The time after the menopause and you remain in this stage permanently. During post menopause, you will no longer have periods but may continue to experience some symptoms. Maintaining your health is very important to manage your risk factors of osteoporosis and cardiovascular health.

What are the common symptoms?

Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your daily life, including relationships, social life, family life and work. It can feel different for everyone. You may have several symptoms or none. Symptoms usually start months or years before your periods stop.

Symptoms can include:

changes to your mood, like low mood, anxiety, mood swings and low self-esteem
problems with memory or concentration (brain fog)
hot flushes
difficulty sleeping
palpitations, when your heartbeats suddenly become more noticeable
headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
muscle aches and joint pains
changed body shape and weight gain
skin changes including dry and itchy skin
reduced sex drive
vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

The International Menopause Society have recently published a White Paper on Menopause and HRT ⁽¹⁾ most common symptom of menopause globally is musculoskeletal aches and pains, due to the decline of estradiol in the body, followed by hot flushed which can last up to 10 years and are attributed to sleep deprivation and cognitive decline.

What can you do to relieve the symptoms?

See your GP or a Menopause Specialist

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, medical advice is the first step. Even if you feel that you may be too young to be experiencing peri menopause, discussing your symptoms with your GP is the best place to start. Keeping a diary of symptoms, in relation to your menstrual cycle, can help your doctor track your symptoms and monitor changes during your cycle. HRT can be safely prescribed at any stage on menopause, and can offer almost relief from most symptoms, if your doctor deems it right for you.

The Menopause Charity, an brilliant resource for anyone looking to understand menopause better, point out that ‘Unfortunately, some doctors and healthcare professionals still believe outdated reports that HRT is linked to cancer, blood clots and heart problems, so they may be reluctant to prescribe HRT. If there’s no medical reason why HRT is unsuitable for you, then it’s important to speak up and, if necessary, ask for a second opinion.’ The point they make is that every woman has the right to have access to unbiased help and medication, and if you feel that you are not receiving that, get a second opinion. They have produced this helpful leaflet explaining how to go about getting the help you need ⁽²⁾

Exercise

We all know that exercise is critical for maintaining a healthy body, but it’s even more important during menopause. Dr. Lindsey Thomas, a GP and menopause specialist, advocates for exercise ⁽³⁾ to alleviate menopausal symptoms and cites the benefits as

Maintaining a healthy weight
Building muscle mass – helping to protect bones, and raise falling metabolic rates
A reduction in breast cancer risk
A reduction in stress and improved general mental wellbeing
Keeping hearts healthy (reduced weight, improved cholesterol levels, prevention of type 2 diabetes)
Improved sleep patterns
Improved mobility with age

Menopause is also the number one cause of osteoporosis ⁽⁴⁾. As hormones change to accommodate normal menopausal changes, estrogen levels start to fluctuate and then drop. Since estrogen helps prevent bones from getting weaker by slowing the natural breakdown of bone, its reduction during menopause significantly speeds up bone loss. Resistance and weight bearing training can help reduce bone loss and the onset of osteoporosis. If you feel that your osteoporosis or bone health needs more help, a DEXA scan can be a useful diagnostic tool, which your doctor can discuss with you.

Supplementation

At Vaion, we are big believers in the benefits of supplementation to make you feel your best at all times. Everyone, especially menopausal women, should be supplementing with 10mg of vitamin D daily, which is a crucial nutrient for bone health. The Menopause Charity also suggesting boosting your calcium and iron levels.

Can NAD+ help with menopause symptoms?

An average woman enters menopause at 51, by which age NAD+ levels will be declining rapidly. NAD+ is involved in the regulation and production of oestrogen, as well as turning food molecules into usable energy and neuron signalling in the brain. During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuations in mood, temperature, poor sleep and “brain fog” can all effect women going through these changes. NAD+ is involved in enabling or regulating each of these symptoms, from improving mood, regulating your circadian rhythm and helping brain signal transmission; potentially alleviating symptoms.

A recent clinical study into the impact of NAD+ on ovarian aging ⁽⁵⁾ has yielded some incredible results, showing the boosting NAD+ in the body ‘could substantially improve oocyte quality and alleviate ovarian aging’ meaning that menopause symptoms could be reduced following NAD+ supplementation. A second study has also demonstrated similar results on ovarian ageing and improving fertility levels ^(6).

BUY NOW

Conclusion

Support and awareness are critical factors in the menopause journey for all women, and advocating for medical support, hormone therapy and a healthy lifestyle should be top of every women’s menopause plan.

See all blog