✓ Premature menopause: 5 tips to deal with it

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Premature menopause: tips

What exactly is the early menopause and what are the causes and symptoms?

Let's clarify with the help of the doctor Mario Mignini Renzini, Director of the Operational Unit of Gynecology and Head of the Medicine Center for Biogenesis Reproduction of the Zucchi Clinical Institutes of Monza, of the San Donato Group, who also offered five useful tips to deal with this still little known pathology.

Early menopause

La reproductive capacity in women it is a complicated mechanism, regulated by innumerable factors, and subject to aging. Unlike man, who produces gametes throughout his life, woman is born with a finite number of oocytes, which gradually decrease in quantity and quality over the course of her fertile life, without regenerating herself.

The ovary can be compared to a gamete bank which at birth has an average of 300 primordial follicles that will be "recruited" during the woman's fertile period to obtain mature oocytes, the female gametes necessary for conception. Of these, only one per cycle becomes the dominant follicle that releases the oocyte.

Having reached puberty, women have an average of 180 primordial follicles and around the age of 35, on average, 16 primordial follicles. Fertility declines rapidly after age 35. When a woman's ovarian reserve ends, the complex hormonal cycle that supports reproduction is interrupted and menopause ensues, usually between 45 and 55 years of age, but in 1% of cases it can occur before the age of 40 and is defined as premature menopause.

10% of women suffer from premature menopause, so defined when it occurs between the ages of 40 and 45.

Read also: Menopause: Body Symptoms and Signs Regarding Pregnancy

Premature menopause, the causes

According to the doctor early menopause can be caused:

from genetic anomalies,
from surgical interventions such as the removal of the ovaries or uterus,
from some drug therapies, such as chemotherapy,
from chronic diseases,
from viral and bacterial infections
and from incorrect lifestyles ".

Symptoms

According to Mignini Renzini the symptoms are variable. Some women, although infertile, are asymptomatic, while others present symptoms similar to those typical of natural menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings. The first warning signs of a possible premature menopause are the irregularities of the menstrual cycle or the difficulty in conceiving a child.

«An early diagnosis can be decisive and for this reason we subject the woman to one menstrual history, to specific tests for hormonal dosages and for the research of ovarian reserve markers in the first three days of the cycle ".

Read also: Menopause and early menopause

Premature menopause, five tips to deal with it

«To deal with premature menopause, one might be recommended hormone replacement therapy, to cope with the risks associated with this anticipated hormonal deficit, such as bone fragility and heart problems ", explains Dr. Mignini Renzini.

“There are, however, other useful measures - which concern the lifestyles - to control the symptoms caused by early menopause, and natural remedies that can help, to be adopted in any case exclusively under medical supervision ". Here's what they are.

Supporting hormone replacement therapy a natural remedies based on phytoestrogens and phyto-progestins, such as soy, passion flower, sage, flaxseed, red clover.
Use food supplements based on vitamin D and calcium to prevent osteoporosis, magnesium to relieve anxiety and fatigue and Omega3 fatty acids against cholesterol.
Follow one balanced diet: avoid foods with a high content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, favoring instead the use of extra virgin olive oil rich in Omega9, protective at the cardiovascular level.
Give preference to the consumption of fruits and vegetables, both fresh and dry, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other useful nutrients to protect the body.
Elimination consumption of alcohol and smoking.
Carry out regular physical activity: helps preserve the elasticity of the joints, relaxes and promotes oxygenation of the brain.

"In the presence of premature, full-blown or suspected menopause, if a woman wishes to become pregnant it is very important that she promptly contact a doctor or center specialized in reproductive medicine", concluded Mario Mignini Renzini.

Read also: Fertile period: what it is and how it is calculated

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