I am a gynecologist: here is the only nutrient we need less during menopause

Most women enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 56, which occurs when they stop having periods due to a decrease in estrogen.

If we often talk about the symptoms linked to this period such as irritability, weight gain or hot flashes, we talk much less about the nutritional changes that this implies.

“At menopause, women need greater quantities of certain nutrients, but there are others which will no longer cause a deficiency” underlines Dr. Dympna Weil, obstetrician-gynecologist, interviewed by Parade magazine.

Calcium and vitamin D: the essentials

At menopause, nutrient needs change, recalls the gynecologist, “after age 50, calcium needs increase from 1000 to 1200 milligrams per day to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of bone fracture.”

This calcium intake ideally comes through diet and possibly by taking supplements but in this case, “you should talk to your doctor who will check if you have any deficiencies because taking too much calcium can cause kidney stones” explains Dr. Weil.

She adds that it’s also important to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, another important nutrient for bone health, explaining: “As we age, our skin’s ability to produce vitamin D decreases, which means we are at risk of having a deficiency.”

Iron: the only nutrient we need less

But it would be wrong to think that you need to increase all nutrient intake. In fact, according to Dr. Weil, there’s one that postmenopausal women need less of: iron. It is recommended to consume 8 milligrams per day, or 10 less than the recommended daily dose before menopause.

“After menopause, women no longer bleed every month during their periods, so their iron levels are higher. This means they need less iron from their diet or supplements,” she insists. .