One of the inevitable stages in the life of any woman is menopause. This period is inextricably linked with the processes in the body, leading to the lack of the ability to conceive, carry and give birth to a child. At the same time, monthly blood secretions become weaker, and then completely stop. Gametes cease to ripen, and this means that the woman’s reproductive system begins to work differently. However, in some cases, an early occurrence of menopause may be observed. This phenomenon, as a rule, indicates the presence of serious disorders in the body.
What is a pathology?
The period referred to in the sections of the article begins at the age of forty-five and older. Experts say that an early menopause at age 40 or in younger women indicates the occurrence of certain hormonal disorders. In rare cases, even before the examination of a patient who complained of a premature absence of critical days, the doctor determines that her condition was caused only by an adverse heredity. In some families, many relatives had an early onset of such a period.
The onset of menopause is due to the extinction of the female reproductive organs. As a result of certain reasons, the ovaries stop producing the necessary substances. Consequently, gametes cease to ripen, and menstruation becomes poorer and then stops. An early menopause in women is a pathology that is not too common. It can occur at any age.
Due to mechanical damage, surgery or cancer, the work of the internal organs of the reproductive system is impaired even in young girls.
Factors explaining the development of the disease
There are many reasons for early menopause. The main triggers, due to which this process occurs, experts include the following:
- The absence of ovaries as a result of surgical intervention to remove them.
- Extinction of the activity of internal genital organs due to exposure to radiation. This can happen, for example, as a result of the treatment of cancerous tumors or work in harmful production associated with radioactive substances. The degree of damage caused to the female body depends on the dose of harmful compounds and on the age of the patient.
- The impact of drugs aimed at combating a malignant tumor.
- Genetic malfunctions regarding the structure of chromosomes.
- The beginning of monthly discharge at an early age (11-12 years).
- Disorders associated with the functioning of the immune system, in which the body perceives the tissues of the ovaries as elements foreign to it.
- Improper or prolonged use of drugs that protect against unwanted conception.
- Infectious diseases, viruses.
- Pathologies of the endocrine glands: thyroid gland, adrenal glands.
- Diabetes.
- Exhaustion.
- Overweight.
- Improper lifestyle (smoking, lack of a balanced diet, diet and fasting).
- Environmental pollution.
- Lack of mobility.
In some cases, the causes of early menopause cannot be established even after a detailed examination of the patient.
The appearance of a problem under the age of 40 years
If a similar situation arises, experts say that it is the result of severe stress. Unfortunately, a premature stop of critical days entails the loss of the ability to have children. However, the appearance of an early menopause in women aged 40 and younger does not immediately rob them of their chances of becoming a mother. Therefore, those who do not plan to conceive should use special means. Irregular and scarce bleeding at this age is a serious reason to see a doctor. After all, such symptoms do not occur without a good reason. Most often they are associated with a lack of certain substances. If hormones are not produced correctly, a woman is faced with such unpleasant phenomena as excess hair on her face and body, weight gain, fragility of bone tissue. She is concerned about headaches, periods of severe chills, mood swings, constant weakness, decreased libido. Patients with similar complaints are sent for laboratory blood tests. This analysis helps to identify the level of essential substances in the body.
Characteristics of early menopause in women 40
If a similar phenomenon occurs at this age, doctors also talk about pathology. In addition to losing the opportunity to conceive a child, this condition is fraught with a great risk of developing serious ailments.
The likelihood of heart attacks, senile dementia, brain hemorrhage, bone damage, memory and attention disorders increases. Sometimes, specialists are not able to pinpoint the cause of this problem. However, it is known that symptoms of early menopause in women 40 years old may appear due to surgical operations on the reproductive organs, mental trauma, tobacco abuse or adverse heredity. In any case, this pathology is not treatable. Manifestations of an ovarian function disorder cannot be completely eliminated.
Main symptoms
As signs of an early menopause in women, the following can be listed:
- Irregularity of critical days (the intervals between them become too long, the amount of blood decreases significantly). Then the periods disappear completely.
- The inability to conceive a child.
- Feeling of heat, chills, redness of the skin on the face, excessive sweating.
- Breathing problems.
- Anxiety, causeless tears, anger, depression.
- Difficulty remembering.
- Decreased ability to work.
- Diseases of the heart, which manifest themselves as unpleasant sensations in the chest, irregular rhythms.
- Sleep disorders.
- Dry feeling in the external genital area.
- Involuntary urine during fast movements or laughter.
Dangerous complications
Signs of early menopause in women significantly worsen their well-being. In addition, pathology often causes serious consequences that pose a threat to life. Similar complications include:
- Diseases of blood vessels and heart muscle.
- Fragility of bone tissue leading to fractures.
- Inflammatory processes in the thyroid gland.
- Diabetes.
- Pathology of the digestive tract.
- Cancers of the mammary glands and organs of the reproductive system.
- Adrenal gland disorders.
These complications often lead to disability and even death.
Appearance changes
Symptoms of early menopause in women not only worsen the well-being of patients, but also adversely affect their appearance. There is a strong and rapid increase in weight, there is an accumulation of fat in the sides, thighs, abdomen, buttocks. The skin becomes wrinkled and flabby. Dark spots appear on the face and body.
The mammary glands lose their elasticity. A feeling of heat, excessive sweating and problems regarding appearance are signs of an early menopause that can cause complexes, self-doubt and cause a suppressed emotional state.
Diagnostic measures
If symptoms of early menopause occur, a woman needs to contact several medical professionals. These are, first of all, specialists in the treatment of pathologies of ZHVS, cancer, as well as gynecologists. The patient is referred for examination, which includes:
- Laboratory blood tests (carried out in order to determine the content of necessary substances in the body).
- Examination of the pituitary gland using CT and X-ray.
- Ultrasound to assess the condition of the organs of the reproductive system.
- Diagnosis of possible diseases of the mammary glands.
- Determination of bone strength.
After these diagnostic measures, specialists, as a rule, manage to establish the cause of the early menopause and choose the right treatment for the patient.
Therapies
As a rule, doctors recommend hormones to women who suffer from this disease. This variety of drugs allows you to fill in the lack of substances necessary for the normal functioning of the reproductive organs.
The benefits of treatment are as follows:
- It helps to combat the symptoms of early menopause: increased sweat, a feeling of heat, loss of sex drive.
- Hormone-containing pills are a good prophylaxis for heart dysfunction and vascular rupture.
- Medicines help improve metabolism, protect against weight gain, normalize glucose in the body.
- Therapy prevents brittleness and mechanical damage to bone tissue.
Use of medicinal plants
The symptoms of early menopause in women are helped by drugs made from herbs that have beneficial properties. These include:
- Infusion of the uterus of the pine forest.
- The brush is red.
- Decoctions of oregano, sage.
- Clover.
- Blackberry Berries.
- Specially designed herbal fees that you can buy at the pharmacy.
However, it must be remembered that if an early menopause and symptoms of this pathology occur, a woman is not recommended to use drugs made from herbs without the permission of a doctor.
Can I still become a mother?
It is known that the condition referred to in the article is characterized by the gradual cessation of monthly bleeding. However, while the critical days are still there, there are certain chances of conception. A woman with an early menopause, symptoms of this disease, should consult a doctor about an anti-conception product if the birth of a child is not part of her plans.
In those cases, the expectant mother dreamed of a baby, and pregnancy occurred, it is also necessary to say this to the obstetrician-gynecologist.
There is a misconception that the long process of breastfeeding can provoke this pathology. However, lactation can cause only a temporary loss of critical days, but not an early menopause.
Is it possible to prevent the development of the disease?
In the case when the condition is caused by a hereditary predisposition, there are no effective ways to combat it in modern medicine. However, any woman can follow certain rules to prevent the appearance of vivid symptoms and complications. The best treatment for early menopause, like many other disorders, is a warning. Refusal from medical abortions, casual intimate relationships, genital infections, as well as regular examinations and examinations - all this helps to avoid a problem. Timely diagnosis (even such serious pathologies as tumors of the reproductive system or mammary glands) in many cases give patients a chance for good treatment results and no serious consequences in the future.
An important role is played by a balanced diet.
Diet should include nutrients and a minimum of junk food (fried, spicy, salty foods, fats and sugar). Refusal of high-calorie foods allows you to deal with excess weight, which often occurs in patients with such a pathology. It is noted that women living in Asian countries are less likely to need treatment for early menopause, as they tolerate it better. They almost never encounter a feeling of heat and cold, which causes serious inconvenience to the fairer sex. This is due to the presence in the diet of a large number of fruits, vegetables, fish, various cereals. There are many products that can provide the body with a certain dose of substances similar to hormones. Adequate fluid intake plays an important role. Do not forget about the movement. Physical education helps to fight early menopause. They also contribute to improving the condition of muscles, bone tissue. It is necessary to monitor the emotional state. This means that the patient should try to avoid unrest, unpleasant experiences. With symptoms of early menopause in women, doctors advise from time to time to relax in nature (get out to the park, have a picnic), pay attention to sleep, rest, interests and pleasant activities that bring joy. Chatting with friends, family, watching your favorite shows or reading books, as well as other hobbies allow you to relax, relieve fatigue and get pleasant emotions.
findings
An early menopause is an unpleasant condition experienced by women aged about thirty to forty-five years. It is not the norm and is caused by pathological processes in the internal genital organs, impaired production of substances necessary for the body. As a rule, such a disease complicates the life of the patient, and also often provokes severe consequences. Therefore, a woman who is faced with signs of an early menopause needs to see a doctor for help. Modern therapy can prevent the development of dangerous complications and improve well-being. Each representative of the weaker sex should understand that the state of health depends largely on the lifestyle that she leads.
Therefore, you should pay attention to such aspects as a balanced diet, a sufficient amount of sleep and rest, monitoring your physical condition in medical institutions, physical education.