Menopause... All You Need To Know!

Menopause is the point in a women's life when her menstrual periods end. Natural menopause typically happens around age 51. Early menopause is called, when it happens before age of 45yrs

What causes early menopause? Family history of early Menopause, early Menarche, Chemotherapy/Radiation to Ovaries/Surgical removal of Ovaries; Chromosomal abnormalities like Turner’s syndrome.; Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and Infections like mumps/HIV. Early menopause, also known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), refers to the onset of menopause before the age of 40. It can have various effects on a woman's health and well-being. Here are some common effects of early menopause:

1. Infertility: One of the primary effects of early menopause is the loss of fertility. Women with early menopause have a decreased ability to conceive naturally due to a diminished ovarian reserve and irregular or absent menstrual periods.

2. Hormonal changes: Early menopause results in a significant decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormonal changes can lead to various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and decreased libido.

3. Osteoporosis: Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density. With the decline in estrogen levels during early menopause, women are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened and brittle bones, making them more prone to fractures.