Sarcopenia in Menopausal Women: Prevalence, Risk Factors, Hormonal Mechanisms, and Management Strategies

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Women's Health

Background:

• Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and function, is a growing concern for menopausal women.
• India's rural population faces higher risks due to poor nutrition and inactivity.
• Menopause exacerbates sarcopenia due to hormonal shifts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review sarcopenia prevalence, risk factors, hormonal mechanisms, and management in menopausal women.
• To highlight implications for maternal health and preventive strategies in India.
• To inform targeted interventions for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search (2015-2025) was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar.
• Keywords included sarcopenia, menopausal complaints, and preventive measures.
• 12 original, peer-reviewed, English-language articles were selected.

Main Results:

• Sarcopenia prevalence in Indian menopausal women ranges from 10% to 43.6%, higher in rural areas and diabetics.
• Key risk factors include hormonal declines (estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, GH/IGF-1) and increased cortisol.
• Effective interventions: protein (0.8-1.2 g/kg/day), vitamin D (800-1000 IU/day), aerobic/resistance exercise, and hormone therapy.

Conclusions:

• Sarcopenia in menopausal women requires increased awareness and targeted interventions, especially in rural India.
• Maternal complications include increased fall risk and physical disability.
• Further research on biomarkers and optimized protocols is essential.