Early menopause: what it is and what its symptoms are

Since menstruation comes into our life there is one thing that we know will happen yes or yes: the famous menopause will leave and come into our lives. They have told us about it, they have told us that the heats are unbearable, that the mood swings cannot be controlled, that if the sexual appetite decreases, that if it is the moment of fullness of women, that if this, that if the other. But we see it as something distant, something that will happen to us in the 50s. But what happens when it arrives earlier?

To get started: menopause It is the stage of a woman's life in which the ovaries stop having activity, there is no longer estrogen production and menstruation disappears. These are the usual physical changes, but this decrease in hormones also involves a series of psychological disorders. Sudden mood swings, insomnia, or depression are symptoms that can lead a woman to feel insecure.

Their age of appearance is among the 50 and 51 years, although it could occur at 45, but when the definitive cessation of menstruation occurs before we are in the presence of an early, early or premature menopause.

The fact that it arrives early is not usual and the main causes are genetic and surgical, as admitted by the head of the Women's Unit of the International Ruber Hospital, Professor Juan José Vidal Peláez. “Genetics give rise to premature ovarian failure and are difficult to determine and all we can do is make a family history to assess the background; as for the surgical causes, there are two: the removal of the uterus or the removal of ovaries, ”he explains.

If what has been previously removed is the uterus, but the ovaries have been preserved, the patient will not have menstruations, but neither will she have the symptoms of menopause, that is, hot flashes, insomnia, depression, vaginal dryness, loss of sexual appetite, etc…

In addition to the genetic and surgical causes, there are other less frequent causes that can advance the age of menopause, such as endocrine thyroid or adrenal problems or problems arising from chemotherapy or radiotherapy when these cancer treatments have been previously used.

As factors that also influence the advancement of menopause “it has been proven that overweight, excessive consumption of tobacco and excessive sedentary lifestyle they can favor premature cessation of menstruation ”.

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Do youWhat are the symptoms?

Hot flashes and night sweats

Headaches

Decreased libido

Changes in the menstrual cycle (including changes in bleeding patterns)

Alternate irritability with periods of depression

Humor changes

Urinary problems, incontinence

Vaginal dryness

Insomnia

Low self-esteem

Changes in weight

Pain while having sex

Inflammation of the vagina and uterus

Dry skin, eyes or mouth

Do youHow to approach it?

The treatment will depend on the intensity of the symptoms, but what really solves the problem is the hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone. However, not all women are eligible for treatment. "Unfortunately it cannot be applied to all women since they are contraindicated if there are circulatory, cardiological problems or family history of breast cancers," says the doctor.

Food is also crucial at this stage.. In that sense, experts agree on the need to tear down the myth that excessive menopause weight gain is normal justified by hormonal changes, and therefore is to follow a personalized diet that includes an adequate calcium intake, a contribution of sufficient vitamin D as well as a control of the calories to be ingested. In addition, phytoestrogens – seeds, nuts, grains, legumes, cereals and fruits – must be integrated into the daily routine to combat symptoms.