The average age of natural menopause is 51, however, due to genetics, diseases or treatments, some women before the age of 40 have reached the menopause. Early menopause seriously affects a woman's living, quality of life and health.
1. What is menopause?
Most women begin menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of starting menopause in the US is 51.
Early menopause usually starts before the age of 45. Menopause very early or early ovarian failure appears before the age of 40.
Menopause exists when a woman's ovaries stop producing eggs, causing a decrease in estrogen levels. Estrogen is the hormone that controls the reproduction cycle.
A woman is in menopause when she turns off menstruation for more than 12 months. But the associated symptoms, such as hot flushes, began long before menopause and are called pre-menopause symptoms.
Anything that damages the ovaries or halts the production of estrogen can cause early menopause. This can be caused by chemotherapy of cancer or surgical removal of the ovaries. In these cases, your doctor will help you prepare for the early menopause. But you can also fall into the menopause even if your ovaries are still intact.
2. What causes early menopause?
There are many causes of early menopause, although sometimes the cause cannot be determined.
- Genetic factors
If there are no obvious health conditions that cause early menopause ,the cause may be heredity.
Knowing when your mother started menopause can help provide clues as to when you'll start the process. If your mother has experienced menopause early, you are at risk of the same thing. However, genes are only part of the problem.
- Causes derived from lifestyle
A few lifestyle-derived causes can impact when you start the menopause. Tobacco smoke causes a decrease in estrogen intake and contributes to the appearance of early menopause.
An analysis in 2012 synthesised from multiple studies in which it was found that people who smoke during a long and frequent process are at risk of menopause earlier. Women who smoke may start menopause 1 to 2 years earlier than non-smokers.
The body mass index (BMI) can also be a factor associated with early menopause. Estrogens are stored in fatty tissue. Women with thin bodies often have less estrogen reserves and may deplete early.
Some studies have also shown that a person who has a vegetarian diet, less exercise, and less exposure to clear sunlight can cause early menopause.
- Chroma defects
Some chroma defects can lead to early menopause. For example, Turner syndrome (also known as single X chroma) involves being born with an imperfect chroma. Females with Turner syndrome often have dysfunctional ovaries. This often causes them to menopause very early.
Other chroma defects can also cause early menopause. Includes severe genital disorders, a variants from Turner syndrome. In this condition, the ovaries no longer work. Instead, second-sex cycles and genders are replaced by hormones, which usually take place in their teens.
Women with Fragile X syndrome (X chroma are prone to fractures), or those who carry this disease gene are also more likely to experience early menopause. This syndrome is spread by generations in the family.
In case the patient experiences menopause very early or if someone in their family has ever undergon this process, it is necessary to see a specialist for advice on genetic testing.
- Auto-immune diseases
Menopause very early can be a symptom of auto asymptomatism such as thyroid disease or rheumatism . This is when the immune system confuses the part of the body as an invader and begins to attack this part. Inflammation caused by these diseases can affect the functioning of the ovaries. Menopause begins when the ovaries stop working.
- Natural deterioration of the birth hormone
When you reach the last years of the 30-40 age threshold, your ovaries will begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone – the hormones that control menstruation – and your fertility is reduced. In your 40s, your menstrual cycle may become longer or shorter, more or lighter, frequently or occasionally, until finally – on average around the age of 51 – your ovaries will stop producing eggs, and you will no longer menstruate.
- Uterus surgery
Surgery to remove the uterus but retain the ovaries usually does not cause immediate menopause. Even if you no longer menstruate, the ovaries still launch eggs and produce estrogen and progesterone. But surgery to remove both the uterus and ovaries (complete removal of the uterus and the sides of the ovaries) will cause immediate menopause. Your menstruation will stop immediately and you will likely experience hot flushes or other signs and symptoms of menopause, and can be severe. These hormone changes will occur suddenly rather than last for years
- Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
These cancer treatments can cause menopause and bring symptoms such as hot flushes during or a short period of time after treatment. Menstruation (and fertility) does not always disappear permanently after chemotherapy, so birth control measures remain promising.
- Primitive ovarian ins failure
About 1% of women will experience menopause very early from the age of 40. This is caused by the insular insular failure – when the ovaries do not produce normal amounts of sex hormones – due to genetic causes or autoimed disease. But often no cause is clear. For these women, hormone therapy is generally recommended to be used at least until the average age of menopause to protect the brain, heart and bone system.
Customers can directly go to Share99 Health System nationwide for examination or contact the hotline here for assistance.
Article reference source: webmd.com, healthline.com, mayoclinic.org
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