When menopause comes earlier, as opposed to the expected period, which every woman experiences as a natural process, it can be a harbinger of some diseases. If women are not followed carefully during this period, important health problems may be overlooked. In addition, the most important point to note is that it is necessary to realize that the symptoms of early menopause and early ovarian failure are similar, but they are different situations. While menopause is a definitive diagnosis and is irreversible, insufficiency is not definitive, reversal and pregnancy may be possible. Early menopause and early ovarian failure may be signs of some other endocrine system or autoimmune diseases. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Op. Dr. Sevinç Bilgin gave important information about menopause.
Menopause is a period marked by the cessation of menstrual bleeding as a result of the ovaries stopping the production of eggs and the female hormones estrogen-progesterone, as a natural consequence of aging. The average age of menopause varies depending on race and genetic structure, and is between the ages of 45-55 in Turkish women. Approximately 88% of women enter natural menopause between the ages of 45-55 and 10% between the ages of 40-45.
What is Early Menopause and Early Ovarian Failure?
Early menopause is the cessation of egg production and hormone production as a result of the depletion of egg cells (follicles) in the ovaries under the age of 40. . Early ovarian failure is a condition manifested by menstrual irregularity, decrease in ovarian reserve (number of eggs and follicles) and infertility. Its difference from menopause is that it can be reversible, although very rare, and spontaneous pregnancy may occur with a probability of 5-10%.
Lifestyle Affects Early Menopause
Egg production in girls. It starts in the womb and is produced in millions, but after a certain period of time (6th month in the womb) production stops and the number gradually begins to decrease. While there are 2 million egg cells at birth, there are approximately 400 thousand in adolescence. In addition to the egg growing and being expelled every month, hundreds of egg cells are also spontaneously destroyed and lost as a result of destruction. Race, genetic background (family menopause age), nutrition, lifestyle, smoking and stress Factors such as determine the age of menopause. Various reasons that rapidly consume the egg cells (follicles) in women lead to early ovarian failure and early menopause.
EARLY OVARIAN FAILURE - EARLY MENAPAUSE WHY AND HOW IT HAPPENS.
Early ovarian failure and early menopause occur in 2 ways. These are;
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Depletion of the egg cell (follicle) (with low congenital reserve or subsequent cell destruction) is affected by the genetic structure. Having early menopause in relatives such as a mother, sister or aunt in the family is a risk factor.
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Egg cell failure to function (cells unresponsive to hormones).
"Although the causes of cell destruction or unresponsiveness are mostly unknown, the most common accompanying conditions are;" he said and listed it as follows.
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Auto immune diseases: As a result of the deterioration in the body's immune system for an unknown reason, the body considers its own cells as foreign and produces cells against them. It destroys its own cells with antibodies (auto-self antibodies), causing their rapid depletion and destruction. If this autoimmune (self-destruction) reaction is aimed at destroying the cells in the ovary, it may cause early ovarian failure and early menopause, and may also affect other endocrine organs and other tissues of the body. It may occur in many other diseases such as hashimato in the thyroid, Addison's disease in the adrenal gland, pancreatic diabetes, myasthenia gravis, vitiligo in the skin, and parathyroid gland. Therefore, early menopause may be a precursor to some other important diseases.
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Genetic defects-chromosomal disorders: Most commonly fragile x syndrome (accompanied by mental retardation and autism). Chromosomal and genetic abnormalities are more common, especially in patients under the age of 30.
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Ovarian damage: Egg cell destruction and loss as a result of exposure to radiation or chemotherapy. Egg cell and ovarian reserve decreases after surgeries performed for reasons such as chocolate cyst or endometrioma.
Symptoms of Early Menopause What are they?
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Menstrual irregularity (oligo amenorrhea), absence of menstruation for 3-4 months
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Hot flushes,
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Sweating,
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Insomnia,
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Decrease in sexual desire,
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Vaginal dryness
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Infertility..
What are the Consequences of Early Menopause or Early Ovarian Failure?
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The most important and devastating effect is infertility. If egg production and ovarian function cease, there may be no chance of becoming pregnant. However, there is an intermediate period when menstrual intervals occur and ovarian reserve (the number of follicles) decreases. If this period can be caught, directing the patient to in vitro fertilization may be an opportunity for them to have children. However, most of the time this intermediate period is missed, or egg depletion can lead to rapid menopause.
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Cardiovascular diseases: With early menopause and the disappearance of the protective, supportive effect of estrogen, cardiovascular diseases occur in the long term. The risk increases.
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Decrease in bone density due to estrogen hormone deficiency and increased bone fragility in older ages and the risk of easy bone fractures occur.
Is There a Treatment for Early Menopause and Early Ovarian Failure?
There is no treatment or prevention of early menopause or premature ovarian failure. If the period when the ovarian reserve decreases can be detected, it is necessary to inform and guide especially those who want to have children to give them a chance for in vitro fertilization treatment.
Treatment of Early Menopause is by Replacing the Lost Hormones
Treatment of early menopause is by replacing the missing hormones. Estrogen-progesterone combination medications can be continued until the age of 50, which is the age of natural menopause, as long as there is no disease that prevents their use. During this replacement therapy, patients must be closely monitored to control certain other diseases.
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