Early Menopause by Victoria Cupic, M.D.

Dr. Cupic webMenopause marks the end of a women’s menstrual cycle. It’s a natural biological process. In the U.S., the average age of the onset for ‘natural’ menopause is 51.  Due to factors such as genetics, sickness, or medical procedures, some women can experience the onset of menopause even before the age of 40.  When menopause occurs before this age, whether natural or induced, it’s known as ‘premature’ menopause. According to several studies, women who experience early menopause have to cope with additional physical and emotional concerns.

Symptoms of early menopause include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Sleep problems
  • Low libido
  • Weight gain
  • Hair loss
  • Emotional distress
  • Insomnia
  • Longer muscle recovery after working out
  • Lack of focus
  • Fatigue

During menopause, estrogen levels lower since the ovaries stop most of their production of this hormone. When a women experiences early menopause, not only will she have lower estrogen levels, but is at risk for other health conditions such as osteoporosis, tooth loss and/or colon and ovarian cancer. Here are some ways to reduce the symptoms and onset of early menopause:

  • Exercising
  • Getting enough sleep and having a regular sleep schedule
  • Consuming less alcohol
  • Reaching a healthy weight and staying there
  • Getting an adequate amount of calcium
  • Asking a doctor about certain vitamins
  • Stop smoking

Hormone therapy during menopause may help relieve complaints such as hot flashes or irritability, but taking hormones (even short term), has risks. Some risks include: breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.

What are bioidentical hormones?
They are hormones that our body would normally make that are perfectly identical to hormones produced by our own body. Bioidentical hormones are not found in this form in nature but are synthesized, from a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy. They are made in a compounding pharmacy and customized for every patient depending on their lab results and symptoms. Synthetic hormones, on the other hand, are isolated from pregnant horse urine and they are foreign to the human body since we lack enzymes to metabolize them safely.

The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.

 

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