{"id":1780,"date":"2018-05-07T07:18:50","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T07:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=1780"},"modified":"2021-03-16T18:58:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T18:58:08","slug":"9-typical-signs-of-early-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/9-typical-signs-of-early-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Typical Signs of Early Menopause"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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For the majority of women, menopause marks the end of menstruation and fertility. This condition occurs during middle-age, but there are cases of women experiencing the signs of menopause in their 20\u2019s and 30\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics from the American Pregnancy Association state premature menopause, or premature ovarian failure, occurs in one in 100 women between the ages of 31 and 40. The statistics are much lower for women aged 20 to 30, with only one in 100 experiencing symptoms of premature menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition can be managed by your healthcare provider to prevent the onset of premature menopause. However, Menopause is something that all women have to deal with eventually. The symptoms of the condition may be subtle. You may not even immediately realize you are living with perimenopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have missed your period for more than 3 months, and you are not showing signs of pregnancy, visit your doctor for a menopause diagnosis. Menopause is diagnosed using a physical exam, as well as a blood test to determine estradiol levels.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, make an appointment for a consultation with your medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Hot Flushes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A common symptom felt in the initial stages of menopause; hot flushes<\/a> signal the change in your hormonal system. Levels of estrogen fluctuate wildly during the onset of menopause. A hot flush usually affects the face or upper body. You may experience sudden waves of heat and lightheadedness, creating red blotches on the cheeks, upper arms, and chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavy sweating is also another sign of a hot flush. You may find that you wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. The condition interferes with the quality of sleep, and pre-menopausal women may complain about being tired all of the time due to a lack of sufficient rest. Your partner will notice that your body feels overly warm as you sleep, radiating intense biological heat and making it challenging to sleep next to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a hot flush, it\u2019s possible to experience a bout of anxiety along with it. To mitigate the effects of a hot flush, speak to your physician about medication to treat the symptom. Low-dose oral contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) might reduce their intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Increased Period Bleeding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Changes in hormone profiles will eventually lead to heavy period bleeding. During the initial stages of menopause, the uterine lining thickens, intensifying the bleeding during shedding. Lowered progesterone <\/a>and estrogen levels contribute to this symptom of menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavier periods make life uncomfortable for pre-menopausal women. The excess bleeding can be challenging to manage, and there is a chance that it could affect your work and social life. Premenopausal women experiencing heavy bleeding are less likely to venture outside of the comfort of their homes. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done to treat the excess bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As time progresses, the bleeding will diminish as the effects of menopause accelerate.
However, it is possible that increased bleeding may be a symptom of another disorder, such as cystic fibrosis. These adverse health conditions can be very dangerous if left untreated. If you experience any abnormalities with the intensity of your period, consult with your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Difficulty Sleeping and Insomnia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Night sweats and anxiety <\/a>brought about by early menopause will affect the quality of your sleep. In some severe cases, these symptoms can lead to the development of sleep disorders like insomnia. A lack of quality sleep will affect every system in your body. Our brain releases and clears metabolic toxins during sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the sleep cycle is disturbed, the brain can’t efficiently remove the toxins. You may wake up finding yourself feeling groggy, tired, and irritable.
If you are struggling to sleep, try to manage your bedtime and do all you can to improve the state of your mind and body before you retire to bed. Draw a hot bath to relax your body, lower the lights to signal your brain that it\u2019s time to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid contact with your smartphone for an hour before bed, the blue light will disturb your body\u2019s natural circadian rhythms. If you are dealing with severe symptoms related to a lack of sleep, visit your physician. Your doctor may prescribe you sleeping medications to provide relief from the symptom, and a good night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Vaginal Dryness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the early stages of menopause, the tissue in the wall of the vagina begins to thin. This condition is due to a drop in estrogen signaling the end of the reproductive cycle and the onset of menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, this thinning of tissue creates itching, soreness, or discomfort for women during sexual intercourse. As a result, many women experiencing the early signs of menopause will avoid being intimate with their partner. The lack of intimacy may result in frustration between both partners, causing a rift that could lead to the end of the relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there is a solution to mitigate vaginal dryness<\/a>. Non-toxic, water-based lubricants can be applied during intimacy to remove the discomfort. As menopause progresses and the tissues of the vaginal wall deteriorate further, women may find that intimacy is painful. In this case, speak to your doctor about a hormone replacement program. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) can slow the symptoms of menopause and improve sexual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Memory Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reaching perimenopause can cause cognitive impairments such as memory loss. You may find that you are misplacing items more frequently than usual, or struggle to retain your short-term memory. Lower levels of estrogen impact the normal function of the brain, particularly the medial temporal lobe which is the region responsible for processing and storing memories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider using memory aids during the early stages of menopause to help you manage your memory. Write down your schedule in a diary and keep important items like car keys and phones in a special basket in the lounge or kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A word of caution. Memory loss can be a symptom of a more severe disease or disorders affecting the health and cognitive function of the brain. Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia <\/a>are acute conditions that require immediate treatment. If you experience any signs of mental fatigue or memory loss, arrange an appointment with your physician to determine the cause of the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Changes in Mood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mood swings <\/a>are another common symptom of early menopause. Women may find that they are happy and content in the morning but lose their enthusiasm quickly as the day progresses. Hormone levels are highest during the morning, as the day goes on, these levels begin to diminish. Everyone is affected differently by estrogen deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some women may experience higher levels of irritability, feelings of anxiety, and random crying spells. It\u2019s also possible for some women that were never previously prone to PMS (premenstrual syndrome), to experience these symptoms with greater intensity. If left untreated, changes in mood can result in the development of anxiety disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many different causes of hormone imbalance. If you suspect there is a permanent alteration in your mood, you may be experiencing the effects of early menopause. Doctors can restore your sense of well-being by balancing your hormones. Speak to your doctor about HRT and how it can help you regain your pleasant personality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Thinning Bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During the early stages of menopause, lowered estrogen<\/a> production adversely affects the skeletal system. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease that thins the bones, reducing their density. Bone disease can be debilitating, causing joint pain and the advancement of other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinning bones present a health risk. Small slips and falls can result in broken bones and torn ligaments. Recovering from a hip-break while living with osteoporosis requires an extended healing period and may even include surgery to repair the damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit your doctor for an x-ray. The scan will evaluate your bone density and give the doctor insight on your condition. Medication and changes in diet can help slow the progression of osteoporosis and its skeletal effects. Add a calcium supplement and fish oil to your diet. These nutrients will assist your body in dealing with thin bones, and the effects of osteoporosis, by strengthening the skeletal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Frequent Urination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The inability to control your bladder is an indicator of early menopause. If you find that you dribble after urinating, or pass urine while laughing, then you could be living with urinary incontinence as a result of early menopause. Incontinence can be an embarrassing condition to live with, especially in the workplace and in social settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visiting the bathroom every 20-minutes, due to a weak bladder, reduces your productivity and prevents you from staying engaged in conversation. Treat urinary incontinence with medications that relax the muscles <\/a>around your urethra, reducing the pressure on your bladder and the need to urinate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequent urination is also a sign of other severe health issues such as adrenal fatigue. Lowered cortisol production affects the muscles surrounding the urethra, causing incontinence. Your doctor can treat these symptoms with HRT. However, if left undiagnosed, the adverse health effects can lead to other disorders and diseases such as infections of the urinary tract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Mild Depression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal imbalance as a result of low estrogen levels will affect mood as previously mentioned. However, there is a significant chance of women developing mild depression <\/a>from this hormone disorder. A balanced mind needs adequate hormone levels to sustain a sense of well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estrogen deficiencies brought about by perimenopause disturb this sensitive balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many women feel that they can cope with these negative emotions. However, if left untreated, the symptoms of depression can begin to surface. Enthusiasm for life wanes, and emotional turmoil ensues. Heightened anxiety usually accompanies depression which can develop into panic attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are feeling blue from the effects of early menopause, visit your doctor. Your physician may prescribe anti-depressant drugs to temporarily boost your serotonin levels and relieve the feelings of depression. The best solution for this mental disorder is a conversation. Find someone close to you that you trust and chat to them about the feelings you are experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Loss of Sexual Desire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women experiencing early menopause frequently find that they suffer a sudden loss of sexual desire. This change in sexual behavior occurs to a reduction in the levels of estrogen. Estrogen is the female hormone <\/a>that creates sexual desire, and menopausal women don\u2019t have sufficient levels in their bloodstream to induce feelings for intimacy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women in the twenties who experience the condition may find that they feel differently toward their partner and lose a connection with them. Similarly, their partner may become confused about their sudden lack of interest in sex and withdraw from emotional contact as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, women with premature menopause still find they need emotional support, and when their partner is no longer able to connect with them, it ends up causing resentment in the relationship. As a result, many couples end up ending their relationship, citing that their partner is no longer the same person they fell in love within the beginning.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Diagnosing Early Menopause<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the symptoms of menopause are reasonably easy to identify without a clinical diagnosis. You may notice that you develop mood swings, your period grinds to a halt, and you may bleed at random times of the month. Changes in hormone levels produce irritation <\/a>and grumpiness, and you may also notice that you feel tired all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor for an official diagnosis. Your doctor will test your estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyroid hormone levels to get a clear picture of your hormone production. In some cases, hypothyroidism may present similar symptoms to those of menopause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young women below the age of 40-tears who experience early menopause may want to consider HRT, Hormone Replacement Therapy. Your doctor will use birth control pills and a form of HRT and may increase your dose, or recommend a different type of therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Genetic Defects<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Specific genetic defects can result in the development of early menopause. One such example is Turner syndrome, where the affected individual is born with an incomplete chromosome. The mutation causes women with the condition to develop dysfunctional ovaries, leading to the onset of early menopause.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another variation of Turner syndrome is known as, \u201cpure gonadal dysgenesis,\u201d and presents similar symptoms of early menopause. This disorder affects young women, causing ovary dysfunction at an early age, typically during adolescence. Young women and girls with this condition require the use of HRT to help them develop.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fragile X syndrome is another cause of early menopause, and affected women may be carriers of the gene as well. This disorder is a congenital condition and has no cure. Women with early menopause should speak to their doctor about further genetic testing to uncover the cause of their symptoms<\/a>. Your doctor will send your blood for analysis and have your results in a few days.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Autoimmune Diseases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune conditions occur when the affected individual\u2019s immune system <\/a>confuses the immune response. Instead of developing white blood cells to attack an invading pathogen or bacterial infection, the hypothalamus signals the immune system to attack healthy cells instead.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, some women with autoimmune disorders may produce cells to attack healthy eggs or areas of the ovaries. Other autoimmune diseases may attack the thyroid, reducing the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormone \u2013 inducing early menopause symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autoimmune disorders are either hereditary or brought on by changes in stress levels. Speak to your doctor if you start to develop feelings of fatigue associated with iron deficiency anemia. In this situation, you may have an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid hormone, or attacks the adrenal glands, forcing your body to produce more cortisol and adrenaline. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This autoimmune disorder, otherwise known as \u201cadrenal fatigue,\u201d can induce symptoms of early menopause as well.<\/span><\/wp-block><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Is It Possible to Reverse Early Menopause?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early menopause typically occurs due to a hereditary disorder that affects the hormonal system. As a result, it\u2019s not something that your doctor can reverse. However, your physician can treat the symptoms of early menopause using hormone replacement therapy drugs to induce sexual characteristics and keep your hormone levels at baseline. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are some studies and treatments undertaken in Greece in 2016 that claim to have restored menstruation<\/a>, allowing the ovaries to produce eggs. However, these studies are yet to receive verification in journals. Should this turn out to be true, then there may be hope for a treatment that allows young women the chance to fall pregnant and have a family.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research reports, treating more than 30 perimenopausal women, aged 46 to 49, with an injection of platelet-rich plasma, (PRP,) in the ovaries. PRP promotes the healing of tissues and is the primary drug used in the treatment of perimenopausal women to induce fertility.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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