Factors That Trigger Menopausal Symptoms Prematurely
January 31, 2009 Women's Health
Janet Martin asked:
Menopause is an inevitable phase in a woman’s life. However, some experience this stage earlier than others. Normally, the average age of women who go through menopause is 51. This cessation of the menses is usually due to the depletion of eggs in the ovary.
In some cases, however, menopause is brought about by surgery, treatment for other diseases, ovarian failure or other problems. The condition wherein women younger than 50 find themselves facing menopause symptoms, regardless of the reasons, is generally known as early menopause.
If you are in your 20s, 30s or 40s and are already experiencing symptoms of menopause, then you are probably suffering from early menopause. To know more about the nuances of this condition, read on and learn:
Premature Ovarian Failure
Known more commonly as POF, Premature Ovarian Failure occurs when a woman experiences menopausal symptoms, including the ending of menses, before the age of 40. You will know that you have this condition if your hormonal tests show that your levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estradiol levels are at post-menopausal stages.
The most common reason why women with POF experience the cessation of menses is the inability of the body to respond to calls for ovulation, even when eggs are still present inside the ovaries. Since this is the case, women with POF may still ovulate or even bear children, but chances are dramatically slim.
Reduced Ovarian Reserve
If your hormone tests show that your levels of FSH and estradiol are normal and that you experience periods every now and then but you are experiencing menopausal symptoms at an early age, then you are probably suffering from Reduced or Diminished Ovarian Reserve. Experts believe that this condition is a sign that you will be experiencing POF in the near future.
Early Menopause Due To Medications Or Surgery
Women who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments often find themselves undergoing signs of menopause. In this case, it is clear that outside forces are the ones causing changes in your ovulation or hormonal processes. If such treatments do not cause an ovarian failure, then there is a chance that your monthly menses will become normal again after a few months of stopping the medication.
Pelvic surgery or the removal of both ovaries can also cause early menopause. Some women who had undergone pelvic-related surgery may suffer from poor blood circulation. When blood flow to the ovaries is impaired, there is a big chance for an ovarian failure. Women who had both their ovaries removed also go through early menopause because they are no longer producing sex hormones.
Perimenopause
If you are suffering from menopausal symptoms prematurely but you do not have POF, or your hormone levels are fluctuating but can still be considered normal, or you did not undergo pelvic or ovarian surgical procedures, or you are not taking any treatments for cancer, then you are just probably suffering from perimenopause. This means that you just feel the symptoms of menopause at an earlier age. Women who are at this phase are actually still ovulating and can still bear children. Basically, this phase is a precursor to menopause.
It is common for women over 40 to experience perimenopause. Even if you are over 40, however, it is still wise to consult a doctor about your condition to rule out serious illnesses and conditions. Furthermore, you can also discuss with your doctor the best possible ways you can alleviate the nasty symptoms of menopause.
Although the treatment of choice when it comes to menopause is HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, many women are afraid to get this medication because of fear of side effects. If you are one of the many who feel uncomfortable with HRT, then you can always use natural supplements to help you survive early menopause symptoms. One product that many women are using to help them cope with signs of menopause is Menersa. If you are interested in this product, just visit http://www.menersa.com/ for more information.
Content
Menopause is an inevitable phase in a woman’s life. However, some experience this stage earlier than others. Normally, the average age of women who go through menopause is 51. This cessation of the menses is usually due to the depletion of eggs in the ovary.
In some cases, however, menopause is brought about by surgery, treatment for other diseases, ovarian failure or other problems. The condition wherein women younger than 50 find themselves facing menopause symptoms, regardless of the reasons, is generally known as early menopause.
If you are in your 20s, 30s or 40s and are already experiencing symptoms of menopause, then you are probably suffering from early menopause. To know more about the nuances of this condition, read on and learn:
Premature Ovarian Failure
Known more commonly as POF, Premature Ovarian Failure occurs when a woman experiences menopausal symptoms, including the ending of menses, before the age of 40. You will know that you have this condition if your hormonal tests show that your levels of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and estradiol levels are at post-menopausal stages.
The most common reason why women with POF experience the cessation of menses is the inability of the body to respond to calls for ovulation, even when eggs are still present inside the ovaries. Since this is the case, women with POF may still ovulate or even bear children, but chances are dramatically slim.
Reduced Ovarian Reserve
If your hormone tests show that your levels of FSH and estradiol are normal and that you experience periods every now and then but you are experiencing menopausal symptoms at an early age, then you are probably suffering from Reduced or Diminished Ovarian Reserve. Experts believe that this condition is a sign that you will be experiencing POF in the near future.
Early Menopause Due To Medications Or Surgery
Women who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments often find themselves undergoing signs of menopause. In this case, it is clear that outside forces are the ones causing changes in your ovulation or hormonal processes. If such treatments do not cause an ovarian failure, then there is a chance that your monthly menses will become normal again after a few months of stopping the medication.
Pelvic surgery or the removal of both ovaries can also cause early menopause. Some women who had undergone pelvic-related surgery may suffer from poor blood circulation. When blood flow to the ovaries is impaired, there is a big chance for an ovarian failure. Women who had both their ovaries removed also go through early menopause because they are no longer producing sex hormones.
Perimenopause
If you are suffering from menopausal symptoms prematurely but you do not have POF, or your hormone levels are fluctuating but can still be considered normal, or you did not undergo pelvic or ovarian surgical procedures, or you are not taking any treatments for cancer, then you are just probably suffering from perimenopause. This means that you just feel the symptoms of menopause at an earlier age. Women who are at this phase are actually still ovulating and can still bear children. Basically, this phase is a precursor to menopause.
It is common for women over 40 to experience perimenopause. Even if you are over 40, however, it is still wise to consult a doctor about your condition to rule out serious illnesses and conditions. Furthermore, you can also discuss with your doctor the best possible ways you can alleviate the nasty symptoms of menopause.
Although the treatment of choice when it comes to menopause is HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, many women are afraid to get this medication because of fear of side effects. If you are one of the many who feel uncomfortable with HRT, then you can always use natural supplements to help you survive early menopause symptoms. One product that many women are using to help them cope with signs of menopause is Menersa. If you are interested in this product, just visit http://www.menersa.com/ for more information.
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