Menopause is the cessation of function of a woman's ovaries and the inability to produce eggs and hormone production. The average age of menopause in Turkey is 46 - 47 years. The most determining factor determining a woman's age at menopause is genetic factors, but it is also known that unhealthy nutrition, low quality of life and smoking also cause early menopause.
Entering menopause under the age of 40 is defined as early menopause. During early menopause, women's egg numbers decrease and their egg quality decreases. If the family, especially the mother, aunt and sister, has experienced early menopause, necessary tests must be performed to evaluate the egg reserve at a younger age. It is recommended that women who are considering having a baby try methods such as in vitro fertilization without delaying during this period.
Causes of Early Menopause
- Genetic factors. If there is early menopause in the family, especially in the mother, the risk of early menopause is high.
- Medical drugs and radioactive substances used in cancer treatment can damage the woman's ovaries and increase the risk of early menopause.
- Nutrition and eating. disorders can also cause early menopause.
- Destruction of the ovaries in some diseases related to the immune system can also cause early menopause.
- Cigarette consumption is among the biggest risk factors of early menopause.
- Untreated infections in the genital area have also been shown to be a risk factor for early menopause.
- Stress, when combined with other factors, is effective in every disease and is also considered a risk factor in early menopause.
Symptoms of Early Menopause
The symptoms of early menopause are the same as the symptoms of menopause seen at normal ages. The most important of these symptoms; The decrease in menstrual bleeding and the widening of the intervals between menstrual periods. In addition, intolerance to heat, sweating and hot flashes, dryness in the vagina and pain during sexual intercourse are also among the symptoms of early menopause. Nervousness, restlessness, and sleep disorders are also added to the symptoms of menopause.
Estrogen and Decreased or stopped secretion of progesterone hormones causes many physical problems. Diseases such as fractures, coronary heart diseases, Alzheimer's, and Fibromyalgia may occur due to osteoporosis.
Just like during menopause, women who enter early menopause are advised not to neglect both their gynecological examinations and health checks. Hormone therapy can be applied to patients in this period, taking into account their wishes and consent. With hormone supplements, the risk of many diseases that may occur during early menopause can be reduced.
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