Q COSTARICA — Health specialists in Costa Rica warn that addressing menopause and andropause remains crucial in medical care due to its direct impact on the population’s quality of life and physical and emotional well-being.
Psychiatrist Marian Rojas Estapé summarizes this approach with the phrase “Understanding is relieving,” highlighting the importance of knowledge in coping with these bodily changes.
In Costa Rica, menopause occurs on average at 47 years and 5 months, according to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in San José,
This places women in the prime of their active working and family lives.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) —the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency—indicates that 8.6% of women experience premature menopause and 9.4% early menopause, meaning that one in ten women faces it earlier than expected.
“Listening to your body and taking care of your diet are key in this transition,” stated Marcela Vargas, wellness coach at Interactive by Marce, referring to the support available during this stage.
In postmenopausal women, 47% present with osteopenia and 39% with osteoporosis, conditions that increase the risk of fractures and medium-term health complications.
In the case of men, andropause remains largely unknown in Costa Rica, despite the hormonal changes that begin around age 40.
Testosterone levels decrease by approximately 1% annually from that age.
This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, loss of muscle mass, and sleep disturbances.
“Talking openly about andropause is a challenge that remains unmet in Costa Rica,” the spokesperson noted.
She added that this stigma can cause many men to delay seeking medical attention and professional support.
Both processes require education, prevention, and support without social stigma, as they are a natural part of the human life cycle.
Strength training helps maintain muscle mass and bone health, especially when combined with sustained healthy habits.
A balanced diet, stress management, and emotional support are also recommended as part of a comprehensive approach to these stages.
Experts emphasize a human rights and holistic health approach that allows these processes to be addressed without prejudice or social silence.
The final call is to speak openly and without taboos and to promote clear information that helps to better understand these stages.