Menopause isn’t something most of us like to think about. Sure, just like wrinkles and bladder problems, it’s going to happen eventually, but why worry about it any sooner than we have to? For most women that means forgetting about it until around 51, the average age of menopause. But for 1 percent of women the dreaded change comes much earlier—before age 40. The technical term for this early menopause is premature ovarian failure or insufficiency and it’s characterized by hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, sexual issues, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, pelvic floor disorders (urine, bowel leakage, pelvic organ prolapse), losing bone mass, and mood swings.
Experiencing these changes at 50 isn’t fun but going through them in your thirties or even your twenties can wreak havoc on your body and spirit. What’s a girl to do? While age of menopause (including early menopause) is mostly predetermined by your genes, there are some things you can do that can possibly delay it or at least help lessen the symptoms. Let our experts tell you how:
Every woman has to go through menopause at some point, but when exactly that hormonal transition begins for you is influenced by several factors, says Sherry Ross, M.D., ob-gyn and women's health expert at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica. These include a genetic predisposition, family history (so ask your mom when she started into menopause!), chromosomal disorders such as Turner Syndrome (when a female is born with only one X chromosome), being very underweight or obese, a long smoking history, past chemotherapy or radiation therapy, those with autoimmune diseases, and epilepsy, she says. Some of these you can't change but others—like weight and smoking—you have plenty of control over. Make an appointment to talk to your doctor about your personal risk factors to develop a plan to mitigate as many of them as you can, Ross advises.
EXERCISE - BUT DON'T OVERDO IT
Exercising is one of the best things you can do to help delay perimenopause as activity helps regulate hormones and maintain normal levels of body fat, Ross explains. But while some exercise is good, more is not always better. "There is an association between extremely intense and/or long exercise and early menopause," she says. "Excessive exercising creates a hormonal imbalance causing irregular ovulations and possibly early hormonal depletion." How do you know if you're overdoing it? If you stop menstruating for more than a month or two, even if your weight is fine, it's time to see your doctor.
QUIT SMOKING (INCLUDING POT)
Smoking is one of the few things that is known to induce early menopause, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. The chemicals in cigarettes, such as nicotine, cyanide, and carbon monoxide can speed up the loss rate of eggs. Unfortunately, once eggs die off, they cannot regenerate or be replaced. Because of this women who smoke experience menopause one to four years earlier than non-smokers. And what about marijuana, now that it's legal to smoke recreationally in eight states and Washington D.C.? "We have no research yet about smoking cannabis and menopause but since one is inhaling burnt vegetal material and treated paper, hastening menopause seems a real possibility," says Frederick Naftolin, M.D., PhD, ob-gyn, professor and co-director of the Interdisciplinary Program in Menopause Medicine at NYU Langone's school of medicine.
AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Could your makeup, body wash, water bottle, and microwavable lunch be triggering serious hormonal changes? Scientists are still examining the link but preliminary research shows that early menopause may be partly triggered or exacerbated by chemicals in the environment called "endocrine disruptors," says Donnica L. Moore, M.D., ob-gyn and president of Sapphire Women's Health Group. Endocrine disruptors interfere with the body's ability to regulate hormones and are often found in plastics and pthalates used in cosmetics, household goods, and even food containers. Minimizing your exposure as much as possible to these chemicals can't hurt and may help maintain your delicate hormone balance, she says.
RETHINK YOUR DRINK
Alcohol likely doesn't induce early menopause on its own but drinking too much can perhaps trigger it if you have other risk factors, says Carolina Sueldo, M.D., ob-gyn at IVF Florida Reproductive Associates. And it's not just the booze you need to be mindful of. "Heavy alcohol consumption and heavy caffeine consumption have all been associated with reduced fertility," she explains. If you're concerned, it's always smart to stick to no more than one cup of coffee per day, and two alcoholic drinks per week, Sueldo says.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Estrogen is stored in fatty tissue so being overweight is a major cause of excess estrogen in women these days and too much estrogen can lead to ovarian failure, Ross says. Similarly, being underweight can trick the body into thinking you're starving and it needs to shut down all non-essential-to-life systems like, oh, your fertility, she adds. The more extreme you are on either end of the weight spectrum, the more likely it is to trigger early menopause. Fortunately your weight is one of the risk factors you have the most control over and keeping your weight in a normal range is one of the best things you can do for your hormones. Exercising, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing your stress levels are key to maintaining a healthy weight. (Speed up your progress towards your weight-loss goals with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)
CONSIDER HORMONE THERAPY
Once premature ovarian failure has begun it can be hard to stop but there is one big gun left in the medical arsenal: hormone replacement therapy. HRT isn't typically recommended as a first solution due to concerns with breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, says Tatiana V. Sanses, M.D., assistant professor of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine. But there are a lot of different types of HRT and it's still considered the gold-standard treatment for many hormone-related issues, especially early menopause, she explains. Talk to your doctor about your risks and if this is a good option for you.
Featured Image: GETTY IMAGES
SOURCE: Womenshealthmag
Post a Comment