Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. Early menopause, which usually begins before the age of 45, is becoming an increasingly common problem. Premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency occurs before the age of 40, reports the portal.
Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs, resulting in low estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that controls the reproductive cycle. A woman is in menopause if she has not had a period for more than 12 months. However, related symptoms such as hot flashes begin long before menopause during a phase called perimenopause.
Anything that damages the ovaries or stops estrogen production can cause early menopause. This includes chemotherapy for cancer or ovarian resection (removal of the ovaries). In these cases, your doctor will help you prepare for early menopause. However, your body can enter menopause earlier even if your ovaries are still in place.
What are the symptoms of early menopause?
Premature menopause can occur as soon as you start having irregular periods or periods that are significantly longer or shorter than your normal cycle.
Other symptoms of early menopause include:
- heavy bleeding
- soiling
- menstruation lasting longer than a week
- longer intervals between periods
In these cases, contact your doctor to check if any other problem is causing these symptoms.
Other common symptoms of menopause include:
- mood swings
- changes in sexual feelings or desire
- vaginal dryness
- sleep problems
- hot flushes
- night sweats
- loss of bladder control
What causes premature menopause?
There are several known causes of early menopause, but sometimes the cause cannot be determined.
If there is no obvious medical reason for early menopause, the cause is likely genetic. The age at which menopause occurs is hereditary. Knowing when your mom’s menopause started can indicate when yours will. If she went through menopause earlier, you are more likely to do the same. However, genes only explain half of the cause.
Lifestyle factors
Certain lifestyle factors can affect when you reach menopause. Smoking affects estrogen levels and may contribute to premature menopause. Some research from credible sources suggests that long-term or regular smoking can lead to an earlier onset of menopause. Menopause can occur 1 to 2 years earlier in women who smoke than in women who do not smoke.
Body mass index (BMI) can also influence the early onset of menopause. Estrogen is stored in adipose tissue. Women who are very thin have smaller stores of estrogenwhich may run out sooner. Some research also suggests that a vegetarian diet, lack of exercise, and lack of sun exposure throughout life can cause early menopause.
Some chromosomal disorders can lead to premature menopause. For example, Turner syndrome consists in the fact that a person is born with an incomplete chromosome. Women with Turner syndrome have ovaries that do not work as they should. This often causes them to go through premature menopause. Other chromosomal disorders can also cause premature menopause.
Premature menopause can be a symptom of an autoimmune disease such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly considers a part of the body to be an intruder and attacks it. Inflammation caused by some of these diseases can affect the ovaries. Menopause begins when the ovaries stop working.
Epilepsy is a disease characterized by seizures that originate in the brain. People with epilepsy are more likely to have primary ovarian insufficiency that leads to menopause. Changes in hormone levels due to menopause can affect seizures in people with epilepsy.
Although you cannot prevent the onset of menopause, steps can be taken to ease its symptoms. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help ease menopausal symptoms. If you smoke, consider whether you should stop smoking to reduce your symptoms as well. The evidence for the effectiveness of natural products in relieving menopausal symptoms is mixed. Some people prefer vitamins and herbal supplements to conventional drugs. Talk to your doctor about what treatment is right for you.
