Shortness of breath, medically called dyspnea, is when you experience chest tightness and find it difficult to breathe easily. There are umpteen reasons for breathlessness or shortness of breath. These include a rise in anxiety levels, respiratory distress, obesity, lung or heart problems, etc.
When you are to discuss the symptoms of perimenopause, and menopause, hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, vaginal dryness, etc., are the most prominent ones. However, there are some less common symptoms of menopause, and breathlessness is one of them. Not everyone experiences difficulty in breathing.
As per estimations, around 20% of women encounter breathlessness during the perimenopause and menopause phases. There’s no point in guessing that it’s all the play of hormones. There could be other reasons also. Let’s take a look at them. We will also have a glance at the solutions to manage breathlessness.
Why Do Women Experience Shortness of Breath in Perimenopause?
Anyone, irrespective of the fact whether they are in menopause or not, may get affected by dyspnea or shortness of breath. However, findings over the years have established a connection between estrogen and lung function.
In a study [1] conducted in 2016, it was shown that women in the menopause transition and postmenopause stage experienced a rapid decline in their lung function. There are a few reasons behind the same. Let’s take a look:
- Reduced estrogen levels could affect the lung tissue’s elasticity, where the lungs may not expand or contract in the way they used to before. A loss in elasticity lessens the size of the airways, making breathing a little difficult. Notably, not all women will encounter breathing difficulties in perimenopause and menopause.
A lot depends on your overall health also. However, if you have any pre-existing cardiac or lung problems, menopause could aggravate it, especially if you do not take proper care of yourself.
- Studies [2] have shown that low estrogen levels cause increased inflammation. This affects several organs of the body and leads to the onset of chronic conditions. The lungs and respiratory system may also be at stake, especially in those with a weakened immune system. This could result in breathing difficulties.
- Another research conducted in Norway mentioned that a woman’s lung function declined in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages, resulting in shortness of breath with reduced physical activity. The researchers even identified that the forced vital capacity of an individual was affected by menopause. The forced vital capacity is the measurement of air exhaled forcibly when you take a breath as deep as possible. Reduced force vital capacity increases the risk of breathing troubles.
- Last but not least, yet another essential reason for breathlessness is an increased anxiety level. During times of stress, the muscles facilitating breathing tighten. The feeling could be like not sufficient air is entering into your lungs. This could cause further stress, making your breathing shallower.
The reduced estrogen levels are one of the contributors to the stress women encounter in perimenopause and menopause. Moreover, symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, and restless leg syndrome could have an impact on your mood, triggering stress.
However, what you must remember is shortness of breath may not always be a symptom of menopause, even if you have reached the menopausal age. The onus lies on you to identify your symptoms and act accordingly. These are some of the red flags to watch out for:
- Increased chest tightness
- Labored breathing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in breathing irrespective of the activity you do, a light or heavy one
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
So, if your shortness of breath is accompanied by one or many of the abovementioned symptoms, a doctor’s consultation is needed.
How to Manage Shortness of Breath in Perimenopause?
If it has been identified that the shortness of breath is a play of the hormones, and you don’t have any other underlying condition, then you could manage it in several ways. Let’s take a look at them:
1. Exercise Regularly
When you are physically fit, your body efficiently absorbs oxygen into the bloodstream, transporting it to the working muscles with ease. That is why exercising regularly boosts your heart and overall fitness. It will help if you include strength training and cardiovascular exercises like squats, jogging, walking, swimming, dancing, etc in your daily schedule.
2. Quit Smoking
Smoking isn’t good for menopause, as it worsens symptoms like hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings, etc. Moreover, smoking will affect your lung function and make breathing worse, triggering shortness of breath. That’s why it is advisable to stay away from smoking always, and even more, if you have hit the menopausal age.
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
A nutritious diet is a mandate for keeping your lungs and heart healthy. There are some nutrients [3] like vitamins, healthy fats, complex carbs, proteins, and fiber that help to boost your lung function. When choosing healthy fats, nuts, olive oil, avocado, and eggs are good choices. Research has found that people who add more fiber to their diet have better lung function than those who don’t.
Foods like baked beans, quinoa, chia, whole-wheat spaghetti, broccoli, peas, lentils, black beans, etc., are fiber-rich. Avoid triggers like processed meat, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol, as they may take a toll on your lung health.
4. Go For Deep Breathing Techniques
When you practice deep breathing exercises, it helps to improve your lung capacity. Here are some tips for healthy breathing. You can try belly breathing where you must:
- Lie or sit back with relaxed shoulders
- Keep one hand on the chest and the other on your stomach
- Inhale and exhale for two seconds each. When inhaling, you should feel the air traveling to your abdomen, with your stomach moving out.
You could even breathe through pursed lips to slow your breathing. Here are some tips to follow:
- Breathe in slowly through the nostrils
- Keep your lips in a way as if you are to blow
- Now, exhale at a longer pace than it took to inhale.
FAQs
Hormone replacement therapy has been known for its effectiveness in dealing with different menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. It is even said to help improve lung function and ease breathing. However, HRT comes with its bane, so it is better to talk to the doctor before going for it.
You should not take shortness of breath lightly if it is recurrent and comes in the way of your daily living. You should see a doctor if you have associated symptoms like wheezing, labored breathing, chest pain, and dizziness.
With perimenopause, women experience a steep decline in their lung function due to hormonal imbalances that increase when they are in the menopause stage. For instance, perimenopausal women lose around 10mm of FVC (forced vital lung capacity) every year.
In menopause, this number increases by an additional 12.5 mm/ year. So, when the function of the lungs is affected, it is clear that the respiratory system will be impacted. That’s why it is essential to follow a proper lifestyle to ensure better heart health and improved lung function.
Conclusion
Shortness of breath due to perimenopause won’t last long. Once the hormones stabilize post the menopause phase, your breathlessness will also lessen in severity and intensity. When you opt for a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating well, you can take charge of many of the menopausal symptoms, including breathlessness.
