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Episode 15: Growing old beautifully, well and healthily during menopause
Menopause affects half the world's population. But how can we ease this transition? How can we age beautifully, well and healthily? In this conversation with Amandine De Paepe and Jona De Baerdemaeker, Dr. Aerts shares her insights on functional and aesthetic gynecology and explains how an integrative approach to health can contribute to a better life during and after menopause.
About founder Amandine De Paepe
Bestselling author and food scientist Amandine de Paepe enjoyed an extensive university education. Among other things, she studied biomedical sciences, nutritional sciences and obtained a European master's degree in nutritional sciences at the universities of Wageningen (NL), Cork (Ireland), Lund (Sweden) and Paris (FR). After her international career in the pharmaceutical sector, she threw herself into medical nutritional advice which she combined with analyses such as specific blood tests, DNA or sugar tests and personalized supplements. Over the years, Amandine turned her passion into her life's work. Today, she is the inspirer behind Insentials, the Belgian brand of vitamins & supplements.
About Jona De Baerdemaeker
Jona once earned a Master's degree in Psychology, but always had a strong interest in nutrition. A few years back, she therefore decided to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. It's mainly the link between psychology and healthy eating that fascinates her the most: how do you create healthy habits in the long run? How do you maintain a healthy relationship with food? What's the effect of healthy food on your mental health?
With a passion for writing and organizing, she does a lot of copywriting and works on events at Insentials, always with a focus on science on the one hand and mental, physical health on the other.
Over Dr. Marijke Aerts
Doctor Marijke Aerts is a renowned gynecologist with years of experience in women's health care. She's built a strong reputation thanks to her expertise in reproductive medicine and gynecological surgery. Doctor Aerts is involved in both clinical work and scientific research, working to improve the care and treatment of her patients. She was also one of our speakers at our first 360° Menopause Congress.
Dr. Aerts explains that her broad view of medicine stems from her own experience. After a period of illness, she discovered that traditional Western medicine is often too limited. 'We often think in boxes and primarily address symptoms without asking enough about the underlying cause,' she explains. Her search for a better approach led her to functional medicine, a discipline that focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of diseases. 'By addressing the cause, we resolve symptoms on a deeper and more lasting level.'
In addition to functional medicine, Dr. Aerts is also active in aesthetic medicine. What began as a hobby led to the discovery that techniques from aesthetic medicine can also effectively improve the health of the intimate area. 'Aesthetics and health go hand in hand,' she says.
The importance of education and prevention
One of the biggest challenges is the lack of education about menopause. Dr. Aerts advocates for more attention to this topic starting in high school. “In school we learn about menstruation and pregnancy, but after that women's lives seem to stop,” she notes. She recommends that women schedule a menopause consultation around age 40 so they can be informed and prepared for this stage of life in a timely manner.
In her practice, Dr. Aerts, along with a menopause consultant, offers a comprehensive consultation discussing menopause, perimenopause and postmenopause. This involves the use of the Climacteric Scale, an official instrument that helps identify symptoms. Many women realize during such a consultation that their symptoms - such as feelings of anxiety, joint and muscle pain, and poor sleep - are indeed related to menopause.
Psychological and physical symptoms during menopause
Dr. Aerts also discusses the psychological and physical impact of menopause. She explains that the hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause can lead to a wide range of symptoms, from feelings of depression to joint pain. “The ovaries don't stop working overnight. It's the fluctuations that cause most of the symptoms,” she explains. In addition, intimate symptoms such as vaginal dryness are often underestimated or left unaddressed, which can lead to embarrassing situations.
Preventive measures for intimate complaints
Women who suffer from intimate complaints such as vaginal dryness may benefit from a combination of preventive measures and specific treatments, according to Dr. Aerts. She stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle, healthy diet and regular exercise to promote blood flow. Insufficient blood flow results from less estrogen during menopause. Since exercise significantly improves circulation, it's particularly crucial during perimenopause and menopause. However, it's important not to start too late; prevention is key.
Hormonal substitution and micro needling
In addition, there's hormonal substitution. However, this option is not suitable for all women. For example, women who have or have had breast cancer are not allowed to take hormones. Fortunately, there are alternative techniques, such as micro needling, that can help stimulate blood flow. Micro needling initiates an inflammatory process, prompting the body to begin repairing itself—a process known as regeneration. Micro needling can also be enhanced by adding blood or can be combined with heat treatment via laser. While local hormonal treatments are another option, they can present several practical inconveniences.
The importance of balance
Being in balance is crucial. All the energy and stress that enters the body must find a way out. Emotional stress, sleep-related stress, overexercising, and alcohol consumption all demand cellular energy from the body.
The body functions like a point system. Imagine starting the day with 10 'stress points.' If you experience significant stress, 3 or 4 points might be allocated to managing it. However, other essential systems, such as those regulating blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels, also need points. The hormonal system is usually the last to receive these points.
If all 10 points are used up, your hormones may become imbalanced, leading to a vicious cycle. This hormonal imbalance can worsen your overall well-being, which in turn increases your stress levels. As more points are allocated to the stress system, fewer are available for hormonal regulation. The more balanced a person is, the less they suffer from hormonal issues. Unfortunately, many women today experience chronic stress, which exacerbates hormonal problems.