Early Menopause Definition and Symptoms
What is Early Menopause?
Early menopause is a condition characterized by the end of a woman’s menstrual periods between the ages of 40 and 45. Normally, menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop functioning and occurs on average at the age of 50-51. However, in menopause, this period begins at an earlier age.
What is Premature Menopause?
If menopause begins before the age of 40, it is called premature menopause. This condition is also known as premature ovarian failure.
Symptoms of Early Menopause
The symptoms of early menopause are often similar to typical menopause symptoms. These include:
Menstrual Irregularities: Irregularities in the menstrual cycle are common. The amount and frequency of menstrual bleeding may vary.
Hot Flashes (Night Sweats): Sudden onset of hot flashes, also called night sweats.
Sleep Problems: Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep are common symptoms.
Vaginal Dryness: Due to hormonal changes, vaginal tissue may feel dry and uncomfortable.
Decreased Sexual Desire: Hormonal changes can reduce sexual desire and cause pain during intercourse.
Psychological Symptoms: Psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and emotional swings are common.
The symptoms of early menopause may vary from person to person and the severity of the symptoms may vary. Women who experience these symptoms should consult a health professional to evaluate their condition.
Factors Causing Early Menopause
Women with a family history of early menopause should know that they may also be prone to this condition. Genetic factors can increase the risk of menopause.
It can occur as a result of surgical removal of 1 or 2 of the ovaries or damage to the ovaries during different surgeries such as endometriosis surgery.
In addition, early menopause can be observed as a result of certain treatment processes such as cancer treatment, medical or surgical treatment of endometriosis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy used for cancer treatment can damage the ovarian tissue and lead to menopause. Therefore, women undergoing cancer treatment should discuss these risks with their doctors and take preventive measures if necessary.
Smoking is an important factor that can increase the risk of menopause. Smoking can trigger early menopause by reducing the woman’s ovarian reserve.
Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus can increase the risk of menopause in women. Treatment and follow-up of such diseases are important in preventing menopause.
Obesity, irregular diet and a sedentary lifestyle can also increase the risk of menopause. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can maintain hormonal balance and reduce the risk of early menopause.
In addition to these factors, various lifestyle factors such as stress, excessive exercise, and excessive alcohol consumption can also affect the risk of menopause. Women should adopt healthy lifestyle habits by considering these risk factors and undergo regular check-ups with their doctors.
Effects of Early Menopause on Health
Early menopause can lead to decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis. This can lead to bone fractures and other bone health problems.
A decrease in estrogen can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Menopause is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Hormonal changes can lead to mental health problems. Depression, anxiety and emotional swings are common problems that women going through menopause may face.
Early menopause can cause sexual health problems such as vaginal dryness. This can cause pain and discomfort during intercourse.
A decrease in estrogen levels can lead to weakened pelvic floor muscles and urinary incontinence.
Menopause can cause hormonal imbalances and negatively affect the quality of life for some women. This can lead to sleep problems, weight gain and other health problems.
The health effects of menopause can vary from person to person and depend on a variety of factors, including lifestyle, genetics and other health conditions. For this reason, women experiencing menopause should regularly undergo medical check-ups and take the necessary precautions.
Treatment and Prevention of Early Menopause
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT):
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to relieve the symptoms of early menopause. This treatment can help relieve menopause symptoms by giving hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to the body. However, it should be noted that long-term use of HRT may have some risks. Today, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is used to reduce possible risks.
Bone Health Supporting Treatments:
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can be taken to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, regular exercise can support bone health.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes:
Embracing a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the effects of menopause. A balanced diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and limited alcohol consumption can help maintain overall health.
Alternative Treatments:
Herbal supplements, acupuncture, and other alternative treatments may help relieve menopause symptoms for some women. However, more research is needed on the effectiveness and safety of these treatments.
In addition, there are effective new approaches such as hyaluronic acid, PRP, fat filling application to support vaginal wetness and collagen production with early menopause and negatively affect the sexual life of young women, and vaginal laser and radiofrequency application. It is gratifying that these treatments do not contain hormones and increase sexual life and quality of life without creating any risks, especially in women who have entered early menopause due to breast cancer.
Avoiding Risk Factors:
It is important to avoid factors that increase the risk of early menopause. These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, irregular diet and excessive stress.
Regular Doctor Check-ups:
Women experiencing early menopause should undergo regular doctor check-ups. These check-ups are important to monitor the effects of early menopause and determine the appropriate treatment when necessary.
The treatment and prevention of early menopause may vary depending on the person’s lifestyle, health status and severity of symptoms. Therefore, women should report their condition to Assoc. Esra ÖZBAŞLI should discuss and determine the appropriate treatment plan.
