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Premature menopause

What is premature menopause?

Premature menopause is a term that is used to describe a situation where a women experiences menopause before the age of 40.The condition is characterized by lack of menstrual flow for a period of 12 months consecutively. It is also associated with low production of estrogen, which leads to several medical problems.

What are the symptoms of premature menopause?

Premature menopause is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Decreased sexual drive
• Missed or irregular periods
• Incontinence and bladder irritability
• Vaginal dryness
• Night sweats
• Uneven sleep
• Mood swings
• Dry mouth, eyes, or skin
• Inability to conceive
• Cognitive changes
• Bloating
• Breast soreness
• Anxiety

In addition, you need to be aware that menstrual problems are usually experienced way before the onset of premature menopause. If you have experienced the above mentioned conditions and you are below the age 40, you should consider seeing your doctor if you have:

• Undergone any radiation or chemotherapy
• Tried to conceive for more than one year without success
• You or a member of your family has suffered from an autoimmune disorder, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or Lupus
• Any of your sisters or mother has experienced premature menopause
• The reason for this is that your doctor will be able to determine whether or not you are undergoing premature menopause.

How is premature menopause diagnosed?

To diagnosing premature menopause your doctor will perform a physical examination on you and draw some blood in order to determine whether your symptoms are as a result of other conditions, including thyroid problems or pregnancy.

The doctor may also require your estradiol levels to be tested. Estradiol refers to a form of estrogen and low levels of this hormone are an indication that your ovaries are about to fail. Essentially, when the levels of estradiol fall below 30, it could be a sign that you are in menopause.

However, the most significant test when it comes to diagnosing premature menopause is a blood test that measures FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). This hormone promotes the production of estrogen by your ovaries. Essentially, when your ovaries start producing less estrogen, the levels of FSH increase, thus indicating you are heading for premature menopause.

Who is likely to experience premature menopause?

Women who are experiencing premature ovarian failure are at a very high risk of premature menopause. This condition can result from several factors, including:

• Genetic inheritance
• A number of diseases, including eating disorders, autoimmune diseases, viral infection, and hormonal disorders.
• In addition, women who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation as a result of cancer or other illnesses are at a higher risk of premature menopause. Other conditions that require the removal of both ovaries also lead to premature menopause.

Conclusion

Women who are experiencing premature menopause have very low levels of estrogen since their ovaries produce very little amounts of estrogen or cease to produce it altogether. Low levels of estrogen can lead to a number of health problems, including increased risk of certain diseases, such as osteoporosis. It also increases your risk of having heart attack , increased blood pressure. So remain alert and seek consultation with an expert gynaecologist early to protect yourself from the side effects of premature menopause

Tags: early Menopause, Menopause, ovarian fail, Premature menopause