Premature menopause, which is also sometimes referred to as premature ovarian failure, is defined as menopause occurring before the age of forty. There is a difference, as those suffering early menopause will stop menstruating and can no longer have children. Those diagnosed with premature ovarian failure may still get pregnant until they hit menopause. All women go through menopause, but some women experience it much earlier than the normal age. Menopause generally happen during the fifties. Menopause is the time in which a woman’s ovaries stop working, and thus, their menstrual cycle discontinues. They will then begin to go through the symptoms of menopause, which include both physical and mental changes.
Premature Menopause
The biggest difference between premature menopause and regular menopause is the added stress the woman goes through as she suffers menopause at a younger age. Many women still in their thirties continue to have plans of bearing children. With the onset of early menopause they no longer have that option. It can be a very devastating time for a woman, especially when facing infertility. This means that this type of menopause can have even more emotional symptoms than that of regular menopause.
The symptoms of premature menopause include missed periods, irregular periods, hot flashes, decreased sex drive, vaginal dryness and various emotional changes. Those most likely to experience early menopause are women who have gone through chemotherapy, suffer from an autoimmune disease, or have had a female relative in their immediate family that have also suffered early menopause. Women in their thirties who have tried to get pregnant, but found themselves unsuccessful, should get tested for early menopause. They may find that to be the culprit of their apparent infertility.
Premature menopause causes a woman’s estrogen levels to be lowered, just like with regular menopause. This means that a woman’s health can be lowered and they can become more susceptible to other medical conditions. Women who go through menopause early are at an even greater risk of contracting these conditions because of the early loss of these hormones. The conditions that women are more at risk for developing include osteoporosis, ovarian cancer, cataracts and gum disease. This is why it is important that women, not matter what their age, get the proper diet and exercise. Getting the right vitamins and nutrients into the body, through eating healthy or taking supplements, can help stave off things like osteoporosis. Taking good care of the body, such as getting regular eye exams and practicing good hygiene, can help protect eyes and teeth.
Premature Menopause – The Conclusion
It is inevitable that all women will go through menopause, but it is unfortunate that some women must go through it earlier than others. Following a healthy diet and life plan may help stave off early menopause, but there really is no way to prevent it from happening. Because most women who go through this early have other medical histories that link to the cause, all they can do is try to be prepared. Once premature menopause has started there is no reversing it.
