Does Menopause Weaken Your Immune System?

Your immune system uses cells, proteins, and chemical reactions to fend off infection and pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When the immune system successfully destroys a pathogen, it "remembers" it and can quickly destroy it if it enters the body again. The immune system also includes the lymph nodes, which filter blood and trap microbes that could harm the body. In addition, it regulates our body's thermostat, causing our temperature to rise to help destroy pathogens.

So how exactly does your immune system change during menopause, and why? For one, menopauseresultsin a decrease in T-cells, which are a key part of the immune system.These cells help destroy cancer cells, fight off bacteria, and orchestrate the immune response throughout the body.

更年期最常发生在女性48-55年old. Aging, meanwhile, also increases inflammation and decreases the immune response, causing an increased susceptibility to infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),herpes simplex virus(HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and influenza, according to a2013 review.

Because women have a higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders, it is thought that estrogen and progesterone play a role. As these hormones decrease, the risk of developing an autoimmune disorder increases, according to a review published inMaturitas, the European Menopause Journal.

Autoimmune diseases in post menopausal womenare likely to shift from being an acute reaction to more of chronic inflammatory reaction, with fibrosis and an increase in auto-antibodies.

After menopause, especially after the age of 60, 10 to 15 percent of women have an increase ofurinary tract infections,亚柯rding to a study published in theKorean Journal of Urology. This may be due to the decrease in the immune system defense in the urogenital tract.

更年期affects cortisol levels, which are stress hormones. As the body changes during midlife, cortisol levels can increase, which can in turn affect the immune system.High cortisol levelsweaken the immune response, according to a report by Dartmouth College.

Many other bodily changes occur during menopause, such asdifficulty sleeping, changing appetites, changes in the levels of bacteria in our digestive system, and a decrease in physical activity. All of these factors can negatively influence the immune system,causingan increase in viral and bacterial infections.

更年期comes with many changes, including many that negatively impact your immune system. That's why it's key to lead a healthy lifestyle, which can include an immune-boosting diet, and seek treatment for health issues when they arise. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes you can make to boost your immunity.