Menopause is when your menstruation periods stop for more than twelve months straight. For many women, menopause usually takes place between the ages of forty and sixty. But, because of illness, medical procedures or genetics, some women experience menopause before the age of forty. Whether induced or natural, menopause that happens before forty is called premature menopause. It is also known as premature ovarian failure.
Symptoms of premature menopause
Signs of premature menopause are typically the very same as those experienced by females undergoing normal menopause and could include
- Hot flashes
- Periods that are lighter or heaver than usual
- Missed or irregular periods
These signs indicate that the ovaries are making less estrogen. In addition to symptoms listed above, some women may face:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Reduced sex drive
- loss of bladder control
- Dry mouth, eyes or skin
- Mood swings
- Mild depression
- Vaginal dryness
- Breast tenderness
Besides symptoms stated above, if you are under the age of forty and encounter any of the conditions below, visit your doctor to find out whether you are experiencing premature menopause:
- You or one of your family members experienced autoimmune disorder such as Graves’ disease, lupus, or hypothyroidism.
- Your sister or mother had premature menopause
- You’ve gone through radiation or chemotherapy
- You have ever vainly tried to become pregnant more than one year.
Steps in preventing premature menopause
The good news is there is treatment available for premature menopause. However, there is a popular adage that tells “prevention is better than cures.” Below are some the helpful steps that will help you prevent premature menopause.
1) Follow a routine workout program. 30 minutes of brisk walking everyday induces your body to discharge natural chemical called endorphins, which guarantee you a sense of well-being.
2) Make positive lifestyle changes to prevent premature menopause. This involves eating a healthy diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits and foods that have iron, folic acid, calcium, and protein. Severe diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, must be supervised closely, as they cause premature delivery.
3) Understand your emotions. Feelings of anxiety, sadness, confusion and irritability can become devastating. You can easily avoid the adverse effects if you have the ability to control the negative emotions. Seek a support group. Socializing with others will help you get rid of boredom and enable you express your views with others. In this way, you can get rid of negative feelings and thoughts.
4) Cultivate the habit of taking calcium supplement daily and eat healthy foods. This will help lower high osteoporosis and cholesterol level.
5) Decrease the consumption of spices, caffeine and alcohols. Instead, drink cool water.
6) If you experience premature menopause, consult your physician and find out whether you should take whole-food supplements. In addition to hormone replacement therapy, whole-food supplements provide other benefits to your health.
7) Consider following a solid sleep routine. A good night’s sleep can help minimize insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and depression. If your efforts to improve sleeping habit fail, you can seek medical treatment to maintain good sleeping habits.
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