Kathryn Whittaker asked:


There are plenty of alternative treatments such as biofeedback and medical treatments, such as hormone therapy that can help a woman cope with her menopause symptoms.However, despite the available treatments, some women don’t only worry about the symptoms of menopause; they worry about entering menopause too early.

What is considered early menopause? Early menopause is characterized by not having your period cycle for 12 consecutive months prior to being 45 years of age. Aside from early menopause there is also premature menopause which occurs before age 40, and is commonly known as premature ovarian failure (POF) if it occurs naturally. POF simply means that a woman’s ovaries are malfunctioning and prematurely shutting down in her 20’s, and 30’s, decades before they naturally should.

What is the cause of early menopause? Early menopause can occur for a number of reasons, some of which include:

?Autoimmune disorders – It is estimated that 2/3 of women who suffer from POF have autoimmune disorders; a medical condition characterized by the body’s immune system malfunctioning and attacking itself. In the case of POF, the autoimmune disorder eventually results in the destruction of ovarian function.

?Chromosomal Irregularity – This is a hereditary condition in which a woman has a defective X chromosome. In short, if one of a woman’s two X chromosomes is defective, it can interfere with egg production which can result in early menopause.

?Total hysterectomy or Oophorectomy – When the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed (total hysterectomy), or when only the ovaries are removed (oophorectomy) a woman is put into menopause, regardless of her age.

?Chemotherapy or radiation – Certain types of chemo and radiation treatments for cancer can damage the ovaries and put a woman in menopause right away.

Other reasons why a woman may experience early or premature menopause include:

? Ovarian damage that results from surgery

? Viral infections

? Hyperprolactinemia (Overproduction of prolactin causes amennorhea – cessation of periods)

? Thyroid disease

? Polycystic ovarian syndrome (characterized by skipped or missed period cycles)

? Cushings disease (characterized by overactive adrenal glands and can result in amenorrhea)

? Family history

The following are the signs and symptoms of perimenopause (stage before menopause occurs) to watch for -

? Irregular periods (Skipped periods or change in duration or frequency)

? Infertility

? Vaginal dryness

? Hot flashes

? Breast tenderness

? Stress incontinence (bladder control issues)

? Restless sleep and/or insomnia

? Headaches

? Gastrointestinal upset (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating etc.)

? Tingly or itchy skin

? Thinning of hair or hair loss

? Weight gain

? Dizziness or lightheadedness

? Moodiness

? Anxiety

? Irritability

? Low sex drive

? Mental fogginess

? Depression

? Extreme fatigue

? Emotional detachment

? Lack of concentration

How can you determine if you are experiencing early menopause? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or others that are not listed and you suspect you may be experiencing pre-menopausal symptoms, it’s time to bring your speculations to your doctor.

There are three main tests you can take to determine a menopause diagnosis -

1.FSH test – A follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test is used to test a woman’s FSH levels. If levels are high it’s a sign that the ovaries have stopped producing sufficient estrogen and could mean that the body has begun menopause.

2.Blood test – You can ask your doctor for a blood test to determine estradiol levels. Estradiol is a form of estrogen and the levels decrease when the ovaries begin to fail. Therefore, low estradiol levels may be a sign of early menopause.

3.Thyroid test – A thyroid test is a good idea because many perimenopause symptoms mirror thyroid problems. Therefore, this test will help you determine if what you are experiencing is indeed early menopause.

If you are diagnosed with early menopause, you will find that there are different treatment options to help you cope with symptoms. Be sure to talk to you doctor about all possible treatments.



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Juliet Cohen asked:


Menopause is not a disease or an illness. Menopause is simply the name given to the last menstrual period. Menopause before the age of 40 is termed ‘early menopause’. Early menopause affects 15% before the age of 45 affects 15% of the population. Menopause is the natural and normal body process of a woman, which may result in the changing or halting of her monthly menstrual cycles. Menopausal women can experience emotional ups and downs, including anxiety, depression, cravings, and forgetfulness. Early menopause, premature menopause and/or premature ovarian failure are terms that are often used to describe the same condition, whatever the cause. Estrogen crash can cause extreme hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and depression in some women.

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries run out of functioning eggs. Symptoms of early menopause are basically the same as for natural menopause. There is a rapid decline in the amount of estrogen (known as “estrogen crash”) in your body. This causes you to enter menopause more quickly than other women. Estrogen crash can cause extreme hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and depression in some women. The most common is the hot flush however, women may sometimes experience several of the symptoms hot flushes and night sweats ,aches and pains ,crawling or itching sensations under the skin ,headaches ,vaginal dryness ,reduced sex drive ,urinary frequency ,tiredness ,irritability ,depression ,sleeping difficulty ,lack of self esteem and forgetfulness.

Emotional problems related to the menopause – many women find the symptoms of the menopause. In a survey of early menopausal women, 100% of women who experienced surgical menopause experienced a number of menopause symptoms in quick succession. Pelvic surgeries, such as hysterectomy, also causes early menopause. Vague symptoms you may not have connected may become significant when viewed as part of perimenopause. Dryness of the vagina – this is a common symptom of pre-menopause and unfortunately it can cause a woman to feel uncomfortable during sexual intercourse. It can help in some cases to talk to a councillor so that any depressive emotions can be worked through outside of the home.

Menopause Treatment Tips

1. Hormone therapy relieving menopausal hot flashes.

2. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is approved to treat seizures, but it also has been shown to significantly reduce hot flashes.

3. Cyclical therapy: Estrogen taken daily via a pill or via a patch.

4. Clonidine (Catapres, others). Clonidine, a pill or patch typically used to treat high blood pressure.

5. Estrogen can be administered locally using a vaginal tablet, ring or cream.

6. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is approved to treat seizures.



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Cathy Taylor asked:


Many women experience menopausal joint pain symptoms. Medical experts have researched the connection between hormonal changes and this kind of pain.

 

Some women experience joint and muscle pain, mouth discomfort, headaches and some even report heart palpitations. Interestingly, women who suffer tension headaches, abdominal, or facial pain found their symptoms lessened after menopause. Scientists today feel there may indeed be a link between estrogen, hormone levels including their fluctuations and this phenomenon

 

Menopause and Joint Pain: Symptoms of Menopause

 

Menopause occurs when a women stops ovulating and her period ceases. Most women reach menopause between 45 and 55 years, with an average age of about 50. However, about 1% reaches it before the age of 40, known as premature menopause or premature ovarian failure.

 

The most apparent changes recorded are in connection with menstrual cycle changes, changes in the bleeding pattern, hot flashes, sweating and urinary problems, such as, incontinence or increased frequency of urination. Dry vagina, mood changes, muscular weakness, joint pains and weight changes are all symptoms of menopause and can cause a great deal of pain as well as general feelings of discomfort in different parts of the body.

 

Menopause and Irritability: The Risks

 

Menopause is a very important time in a woman’s life and all women who live past 40 must withstand the worst of this condition. A woman’s body goes through many changes that can affect her social life, her feelings about herself and her functioning at work. In the past, many misconceptions and myths surrounded menopause but this perception has changed. Now, menopause is accepted as a natural step in the process of aging.

 

Contrary to the old-fashioned view that life is all downhill after menopause, many women today realize that the years after menopause offer new discoveries and fresh challenges. Modern medical advances have resulted in a wide range of health care choices, especially for joint pain and bone deficiency problems.

 

These can enhance quality of life during menopause and the decades that follow. It is vital for women to know that menopause itself carries no serious health risks. However, the chance for heart disease and osteoporosis (thinning of the bone due to the inability of the body to produce bone tissue) rises after menopause. Understanding menopause and the range of treatment options can help women make better health decisions.

 

Menopause and Irritability: Causes and Symptoms

 

Research has shown that a quarter of women have no problems while going through menopause, while half of the number will have some problems and the remaining quarter of them will have considerable problems including joint pain.

 

These are usually associated with osteoporosis and arthritis, which results in weakening of the bones and the degeneration of the cartilage between the joints that can fracture easily following a fall.

 

Fluctuating estrogen levels and poor estrogen clearance, can affect how your joints feel. It stands to reason that some women would also have joint pains in response to the hormone fluctuations so common in perimenopause. It’s important to have yourself checked by your primary care physician for either osteoporosis or arthritis.

 

Menopause and Irritability: Treatment

 

There are also medications and exercises you can get that will overcome the severest of joint pains related to menopause. Some of these treatments include the use of steroids so it is critical to make this kind of decision in conjunction with your own doctor.

 

It’s also prudent to check for the possibility of side effects from using these drugs and get a second opinion before embarking on a long-term treatment.



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