Early & premature menopause

21 Mar Early & premature menopause

Normal menopause, the end of ovulation, occurs around age 51 for women. Your doctor will determine you’ve reached menopause once you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. In most cases, women will have had mild to moderate menopause symptoms somewhere from their late 30s through their early 50s until their periods stop completely. However, in a few cases, women begin menopause much earlier. Early or premature menopause is determined when a woman has stopped ovulating before the age of 40.  Find out about early menopause from a female Gynecologist near me. Read on!

Early menopause is not dangerous or a serious cause for concern. However, your lowered estrogen levels combined with other psychological changes are worth paying attention to so you can take the necessary steps to be as happy and healthy as possible.

Premature Menopause: Causes and Symptoms

Premature menopause is caused by a condition called “Premature Ovarian Failure”. It occurs when ovarian follicles stop working before the age of 40. There are myriad causes for this, including a genetic predisposition, fewer numbers of follicles or hormonal imbalances.

Additional causes of premature or early menopause include:

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation

• Certain treatments
• Chronic illness
• Pituitary or hypothalamus tumors
• Causes that have yet to be defined

Symptoms of premature menopause:

• Irregular periods or periods that have seemed to stop completely
• Unusual weight gain
• Lack of libido
• Vaginal dryness or pain during sex

All of the above symptoms are the signs that the ovaries are producing lower quantities of estrogen which is an important hormone in the fertility cycle.

Premature Menopause can affect your overall health

Menopause means the end of fertility but it also declines in the production of hormones that have a positive effect on your overall health. The same health risks that apply to menopausal women, osteoporosis, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, etc., become a risk for women who experience early menopause.

1.Mental health. Yes, menopause can bring mood swings, irritation, and depression. This is somehow true for women who go through early menopause and planning on having a later pregnancy.

2.Decreased bone density.

Your body adds more bone tissues until you reach the age of 30 and somehow Estrogen is responsible for this. When estrogen production decreases, bone density does as well, which puts you at risk for osteoporosis. This is the time to speak to your Gynecologist about the correct calcium supplementation to make sure your body is getting what it needs. Also, start doing exercises that stimulate bone tissue production.

3.Heart Disease and Diabetes

Estrogen helps to make arterial walls stronger and more flexible, which is why menopause puts women at higher risk. Metabolism becomes slow during menopause and women often gain excess weight. Eating a well-balanced diet and doing regular exercise is the best option.

We all sometimes have second thoughts in our mind,

• Whether our treatment is in the right direction or not
• Is surgery really required?

Consult our Gynaecologist for a second opinion. If you believe you are going through early menopause, schedule an appointment with Dr. Usha Kumar, a female gynaecologist near me and she will get you on the right track to a vibrant and healthy future.