When you turn 40, this is a very exciting moment. The fourth decade is over, you are not young … There is something rather sad when you say that you are already over forty. If you are lucky, people around you cannot believe it and say that you look young. Enjoy it!
And fear not, not everyone is going through a midlife crisis. Perhaps the best years of your life lie ahead. However, some physical and psychological changes are inevitable, so it's worth knowing about them beforehand. They don't happen overnight, but the closer you are to forty, the more likely they are.
It will be harder for you to lose weight
In adolescence, it is enough to give up fast food for two weeks to lose ten kilograms. After forty, the body changes, and losing weight is much more difficult. On average, women gain six to seven kilograms between the ages of forty and fifty-five. Part of the reason is that the metabolism slows down. This occurs concurrently with muscle loss. From the age of thirty, a person loses five percent of muscle tissue a year, so by the age of forty, the effect is already noticeable and your body begins to burn fewer calories. If you eat the same food that you ate in your twenties, you will definitely gain weight.
Instead of buying weight-loss items, try to minimize weight gain after forty. Strengthen your muscles to always burn calories actively, no matter what age. If you exercise, eat enough protein and drink vitamins, you can avoid weight gain.
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Your menstrual cycle may change
It is unlikely that menopause will happen at forty - the average age for this is fifty-one. Nevertheless, you will notice some changes by forty. This means that the body begins to prepare for menopause. Estrogen and progesterone are reproductive hormones that regulate your cycle.
Their levels begin to fluctuate, which can lead to irregular menstruation, insomnia, headaches, hot flashes, and decreased libido. First of all, you will notice an irregular menstrual cycle. You may have more severe pain or heavy bleeding, and the cycle may also stop for a while. In addition, it can affect the psychological state. For example, problems with short-term memory may arise.
Breast cancer risk increases
After forty years, you need to have a regular mammogram. The risk of developing a tumor is seriously increased - breast cancer affects twelve percent of women. That is why it is so important to listen to your health. Fortunately, before the age of forty, it is enough to conduct an examination on your own in order to monitor changes in the tissues of the mammary gland. After forty, you should also visit your doctor regularly to prevent the problem. There are also things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick. Studies show that women who drink alcohol on a daily basis increase their risk of breast cancer by fifty percent. Genetics are also important, and it is also important to monitor your diet. Eating fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of breast cancer, and regular exercise improves overall health.
Bone density may decrease
Bone density remains virtually unchanged until you turn thirty-five. After that, you lose a certain percentage of density every year. By forty, the effect may be noticeable. You don't need to worry about this until you are sixty-five unless you have bone problems, however, precautions are still important. Strength training can strengthen your bones and make them denser. Vitamins with calcium are also important. Combine them with vitamin D and magnesium to help the body absorb calcium.
You can become more attractive
And even if you have wrinkles around your eyes - you do not look worse because of them! On the contrary, it is believed that self-confidence makes a person more attractive. Women after forty are more confident and more determined. They know what they want and how to get it. They have enough experience to know how to properly communicate with unpleasant people, make decisions on their own and manage their finances. Develop self-love, accept yourself - and you will realize that you have only blossomed even more.
Your libido may increase
According to some reports, libido may decrease before menopause or due to depression. However, in most cases, women over forty are more sexually active than younger women. The body produces fewer eggs, so sexual activity increases. Even if you are in your forties, if you still have your period, you can get pregnant. This is good if you want to have children, but if you are not planning a pregnancy, remember to use contraception.
You can be a great mom
If you decide to become a mom at forty, you need to remember that there are risks and benefits. On the one hand, you are a more mature person and can make better decisions, you have a more stable relationship with your partner and a good financial situation. Studies have shown that a woman's earnings increase by a few percent every year she postpones having children. Even if you don't have a partner, you are independent and able to raise your baby on your own. Conception can only be a problem, but there are many options for in vitro fertilization.
You may develop lactose intolerance
Some people cannot digest dairy products from birth, while others develop intolerances over the years. The body stops producing the enzymes needed to process lactose. As a result, the consumption of dairy products leads to increased gas production and intestinal problems. Intolerance is largely determined by genetics, but can also be associated with infections, and with chemotherapy, and with operations. Signs of intolerance include gas, diarrhea, bloating, headache, abdominal pain and skin rashes. Try probiotics, trying different types of milk, like goat milk instead of cow milk, or taking enzymes that your body lacks with lactase.
Your vision may change
By the age of forty, vision may begin to change. The changes are different, but most often people cannot see up close, for example, while reading or sewing. Some require more light, others have problems driving at night. Dry eyes can also be a problem. It is important to have regular eye examinations by a specialist to prevent the development of glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Your sense of smell and taste can change
This can be the most frustrating effect. In old age, the number of taste buds on the tongue decreases, as a result you become less sensitive to various aromas. Desensitization occurs earlier in women than in men. In addition, the sense of smell worsens. When you are young, the cells responsible for smelling are renewed, but over the years they become smaller, and you no longer notice smells as well as you could before.
You may have hearing problems
As you age, the eardrums and the condition of the inner ear change. As a result, you hear worse, and you may have coordination problems. What Causes Hearing Impairment? Various reasons. For example, noise at work or the love of listening to music can contribute to hearing loss.
Marina Ilyushenko