Early Menopause - Women's Health
The Menopause - Menapause
Page 2 » Early Menopause
Are you worried about having an early menopause? Or do you have any doubts about the condition? Here is some information that you might find useful.
What is early menopause?
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her periods stop and she can no longer become pregnant. It is a normal change in a woman's body. A woman will know she has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row (and there are no other causes, such as pregnancy or illness, for this change). Most women experience menopause from 40 to 58 years of age, with a median age of 51.4 years.
Menopause is sometimes called, "the change of life." In the years leading up to menopause, a woman’s ovaries ( female sex organs ) slowly make less and less of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.
In some women menopause may occur early ( before 40 years ) naturally or can be prompted by surgical removal of the ovaries ( female sex organs ). It can also result from severe damage to the ovaries, sometimes caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatments or an infection. Hereditary/Genetic basis for early stopping of function by ovaries ( Premature ovarian failure ) is also being suggested by the scientists. A hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) can result in an end to menstruation but will not bring about menopause as long as the ovaries continue to function.
You will feel better by learning all you can about early menopause and talking with your doctor about your health and your symptoms. If your symptoms are causing you discomfort or concern, your doctor can teach you about available therapeutic options and help you to make wise choices.
What symptoms will I have if I am going through an early menopause?
Some changes you might notice if you have early menopause include :
• Change in pattern of periods
They can be shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, or there may be more or less time between periods.)
• Hot flushes
Sometimes called hot flashes, night sweats (sometimes followed by a chill). We don't know exactly what causes hot flushes. It could be a drop in estrogen or change in another hormone. This affects the part of your brain that regulates your body temperature. During a hot flush, you feel a sudden rush of heat move from your chest to your head. Your skin may turn red, and you may sweat. Most hot flashes last 30 seconds to 5 minutes. They usually disappear within a few years after menopause. However, up to 10-15% of women experience hot flashes for number of years.
• Trouble sleeping through the night
With or without night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
Your vaginal tissues get dryer, sex becomes uncomfortable, it takes longer for you to become lubricated, and many times your sex drive will start sagging because of the discomfort. Often some women complaint of decreased sex drive which may be due to low estrogen levels. And you may also lose interest in sex because it’s so uncomfortable so taking care of your vaginal dryness may make a difference.
• Urinary problems
Such as leaking, burning or pain when urinating, or leaking when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
• Less interest in sex and changes in sexual response.
• Mood swings, feeling crabby, or crying spells
One of the most upsetting aspects of early or premature menopause is the emotional fallout or mood swings, tears that come out of nowhere, anger, and a general feeling like you’ve lost your grip on your emotions. But this is totally normal. It’s yet another symptom of fluctuating hormones.
• Trouble focusing or forgetfulness
• Hair loss or thinning on your head
This is yet another symptom often connected with low estrogen levels. When estrogen levels drop, so do your collagen levels which can result in thinning hair or hair loss. But hair loss can also be due to other problems, such as thryoid disease, low iron levels in your blood, a low-protein diet, or unhealthy eating in general.
• Changes in texture of your skin and nails.
• Bone Loss
Both men and women lose bone as they grow older. But dropping estrogen levels due to early menopause also leads to bone loss in women. Estrogen helps to build and maintain bone. After menopause, bone loss speeds up for several years as estrogen levels rapidly decrease. Bone loss can cause bones to weaken. Weak bones can break more easily. When bones weaken a lot, the condition is called osteoporosis.
Continued on Page 2 » Early Menopause
If you have any queries regarding the topics raised within this article please do not hesistate to contact the Women's Health Clinic via the email form at the bottom of the page or by calling our London clinic on 020 8947 9877.
