Bones & Heart Health
Menopause is a cardiovascular and skeletal inflection point. Dot's hub covers the risks worth knowing and the levers that actually move them.
Last reviewed 2026-07-15 · Educational only. Not medical advice.
Guides
Hormones 101: educational physiology
What estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH, and testosterone actually do, and how their patterns shift in the transition.
The stages of the menopausal transition, explained
Perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause defined — and the more granular STRAW+10 stages clinicians use.
Bone health basics for the transition
Bone density falls faster in the years around menopause. Here's why, and the everyday levers that matter.
Heart health basics for midlife women
Cardiovascular risk rises after menopause. Here's a plain-English tour of why, and what consistently helps.
Exercise in the menopausal transition
What the research consistently supports: strength training, aerobic movement, and mobility — and why the mix changes now.
Nutrition patterns for midlife women
General food patterns supported by the evidence — protein sufficiency, fiber, and a Mediterranean-style backbone.
The menopause research landscape
An honest overview of what's well-supported, what's still uncertain, and how the evidence base is evolving.
Is this normal?
Are heart palpitations normal in perimenopause?
Palpitations — a racing, pounding, or fluttering sensation — are commonly reported during the menopausal transition and often accompany vaso…
Are gum and dental changes normal in perimenopause?
Yes — bleeding gums, receding gum line, and increased dental sensitivity are documented perimenopause changes. Estrogen supports oral tissue…
Why do I get heart palpitations at night in perimenopause?
Nighttime palpitations are commonly reported in perimenopause, often tied to hormone dips, vasomotor episodes, and cortisol shifts around 3–…
Support pathways
Key terms
Postmenopause
Every year after the menopause anniversary.
Estrogen
The family of female sex hormones.
Osteoporosis
Reduced bone density with increased fracture risk.
Osteopenia
Lower-than-typical bone density, above the osteoporosis threshold.
DXA scan
The imaging test that measures bone density.
Cardiovascular risk
The risk of heart and vessel disease, which rises after menopause.
Common questions
Why does bone loss accelerate in menopause?
Estrogen supports bone remodeling. Its decline increases the rate of bone turnover, particularly in the first years after the final period.
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Dot is an educational AI companion, not a medical provider. For symptoms that are severe, sudden, or worsening, please consult a qualified clinician.