5 Expert-Backed Tips To Protect Your Liver Health Through Menopause

Menopause is defined as 12 months of consecutive amenorrhoea and serum FSH levels more than 20 international units per litre. Oestrogen plays a very important role in liver health as it prevents hepatic fibrosis and visceral fat accumulation. Oestrogen also reduces weight gain and the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. A reduction in oestrogen, which usually happens after menopause, is more strongly associated with an increased chance of developing hepatic steatosis.

Menopause, Liver Health & Lifestyle Changes

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease most commonly occurs in postmenopausal women rather than in premenopausal women, indicating that oestrogen has a protective effect on the liver. Let's see how lifestyle strategies might help reduce the risk of developing this disease.

Certain dietary ingredients, such as citrus fruits, lemons, beetroots, proteins found in nuts, fish, and eggs, spinach, berries (especially blueberries), avocado, and apple cider vinegar, can be incorporated into the diet of postmenopausal women to help prevent the development of various liver disorders. It is important to remember that the liver is amazingly resilient, and starting these lifestyle changes early can help maintain liver health and protect you from the development of any liver dysfunctions due to hormone changes.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy for Post-Menopausal Women

Along with dietary modifications and lifestyle changes, the initiation of hormone replacement therapy, primarily oestrogen, has shown promising results in delaying the progression of liver disease.

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Your gynaecologist can work with you to decide whether hormone replacement therapy is appropriate for you. Usually, transdermal oestrogen replacement therapy offers better results in preventing disease progression. However, this therapy may be initiated in postmenopausal women who already have pre-existing conditions or are at high risk for developing disorders of the liver.

(This article is authored by Dr. Spurthy G Janney, Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Manipal Hospital Whitefield.)

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