8 Risk Factors That Could Signal an Early Menopause

 Every woman must go through menopause at some stage in their life, but some, unfortunately, go through it a lot earlier than normal. Even if you haven’t started experiencing hot flashes yet, the following 8 risk factors could indicate that you’re in for “the change” earlier than expected. 

1. You’ve Had Surgery on Your Uterus or Ovaries

Unsurprisingly, removing both ovaries causes immediate surgical menopause because they’re responsible for the release of hormones. However, the removal of just one ovary can result in a decrease in the total productions of estrogen and progesterone. When women have hysterectomies (removal of the uterus), their ovaries are often left in place to prevent menopause – but this is sometimes not enough to stave it off.

2. Your mom went through menopause early

According to the National Institute of Aging, the average age of menopause is 51, but for some women, it can start in their forties or before. There are some genetic or inherited risk factors for early menopause. For example, one National Institute of Health study found a significant link between lower levels of ovarian reserve, as marked by the follicle-stimulating hormone, in women whose mothers went through early menopause. In fact, if your mother had early menopause, you’re six times more likely to have the same experience.

3.  You smoke or live with someone who smokes

 If you’re a smoker, then you already know that it’s not good for you. Smoking can lead women to transition to menopause up to two years earlier than expected. This is because of the anti-estrogen effects of nicotine. Researchers from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, found that women who have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lives had a 26% greater chance of going through menopause before the age of 50. Furthermore, the study also revealed that women who were exposed to the toxins of second-hand smoke on a regular basis also had a higher rate of early menopause.

4. You Had Problems Getting Pregnant 

 If you were diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) while going through infertility treatment, you, unfortunately, will more than likely experience early menopause. DOR means that your ovaries have fewer follicles left that will become eggs, so it will be harder to conceive and you’ll have a quicker road to menopause. If you’re still in the middle of family building, time is of the essence. 

5. You Were Treated for Cancer
Early menopause can be a side effect of radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and pelvic radiation, often damage ovarian tissue, resulting in premature ovarian failure, thus causing menopause. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, symptoms of menopause from cancer treatments can be worse than natural menopause because the decrease in hormones happens more quickly. Furthermore, if cancer treatments don’t cause menopause right away, the damage that has already been done will lead to menopause sooner than normal.

6. You Are Very Underweight  

When it comes to early menopause, not weighing enough is a greater risk factor than being overweight. Estrogen is stored in fat tissue, so being overweight increases the likelihood of having a later onset of menopause since there’s more estrogen. Being thin means that there’s less fat, and thus less estrogen, and a higher likelihood of going through early menopause. 

7. You Have an Autoimmune Condition

The very definition of autoimmune means that your body is attacking itself. Therefore, for women who suffer from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Addison’s disease, damage to their eggs by their own immune system is possible. Certain types of autoimmune diseases produce antibodies that might mistakenly attack ovarian tissue, resulting in premature ovarian failure. Some also cause harm to glands that produce hormones. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, recent studies suggest that up to 20% of women with premature ovarian failure also have an autoimmune disease.

8. You’re Very Stressed 

While stress alone doesn’t cause early menopause, it might help it along. Recent research from the University of California San Francisco has shown that stress might, in fact, play a part in when a woman enters menopause. The good thing is that stress, along with smoking and weight, can be controlled.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for food, medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    

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Short Period Causes: 10 Potential Reasons Your Monthly Flow Was Shorter Than Normal

Most things in life are uncertain, but when it comes to your period, you can usually count on its friendly appearance once a month. What constitutes a “normal” period is pretty individualized, but what happens when your period is shorter than what's normal for you?

Shorter periods can be NBD (if your period lasts two to three days, and it’s always lasted two to three days, no biggie), but it’s important to pay attention to your cycle, and note any changes, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, an ob-gyn and author of The Complete A to Z for Your V.

After all, the length of your period is largely determined by hormonal factors, says Lakeisha Richardson, MD, an ob-gyn based in Greenville, Mississippi. That means everything from medications to underlying health conditions can throw off your cycle. Some of those causes are totally benign, but others are best ruled-out (or caught) early. We’ll get into those soon, but first, there are a few other factors to consider when it comes to irregular periods.

For one, changes in your cycle length can sometimes be a cause for concern, says Caitlin McCarthy, MD, an ob-gyn with Axia Women’s Health. "Periods that are too frequent  may be a sign of a structural abnormality [of the female reproductive system] or hormonal imbalance, and periods that are too infrequent can be related to an undiagnosed pregnancy, hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation, or nutritional concerns.”

Light bleeding is usually nothing to worry about, but if menstrual bleeding becomes heavy enough to cause distress or you’re concerned about your fertility, it’s time to check in with a doctor, adds Dr. McCarthy.

Curious what you’re dealing with? Ahead, doctors shed light on 10 common reasons your period might go from six days to, say, three suddenly, and when you should see a doctor.

What is a normal menstrual cycle?

Most women’s cycles last 21 to 35 days, counting from day one of one cycle to day one of the next cycle, and their periods last five to seven days on average, says Dr. Dweck. “I recommend seeing your gyno if your flow is persistently or newly varied from usual,” she adds.

FYI, "cycle length" is defined as the number of days from the start of one period to the start of the next and “duration of flow” as the number of days of actual bleeding, says Dr. McCarthy. “Both can vary from month to month and are typically nothing to worry about unless it persists over time,” she reiterates. 

How much you bleed per cycle is subjective, but if it’s not disrupting your physical, emotional, and social well-being, it is typically considered “normal,” says Sameena Rahman, MD, an ob-gyn at Center For Gynecology and Cosmetics.

What causes a shorter period?

You’ve switched birth control.

If your period is suddenly breaking pattern, consider if you've started or changed birth control methods. “The pill might lessen the length of flow,” says Dr. Dweck. “Most birth control pills and rings, like the Annovera vaginal ring, lead to lighter flow,” adds Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale Medical School. “The combined hormonal contraceptives contain a good amount of progestins—synthetic progesterone—which limit the build-up of a lot of tissue lining the uterus,” she explains. As a result, there’s less of a flow when it’s go time. Progestin-only IUDs “allow a very limited buildup,” Dr. Minkin says, and many women have a lighter flow or even no period when they have one of those implanted.

Also, there could be slight hormonal differences in generic versions that could affect your cycle length, so make sure to check the packaging.

You’re on a certain type of medication.

Beyond the birth control pill, certain medicines could also affect your period, thanks to the chemicals in them. “NSAIDs [like Advil, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, etc.], antidepressants, thyroid medications, and steroids might shorten flow,” Dr. Dweck says.

The way each of these medications lighten your flow varies slightly. With NSAIDs, “the idea is that the NSAID reduces the number of inflammation compounds called prostaglandins, which in turn can lessen the amount of bleeding because prostaglandins affect the blood vessels in the inner lining of the uterus,” explains women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, MD.

Not sure if the meds you’ve taken are messing with your flow? “Ruling out other causes of change in flow and taking a good medical history might lead to diagnosing medication as the cause of menstrual change," Dr. Dweck says.  

You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a genetic condition where women overproduce amounts of male hormones, which can suppress ovulation and lead to changes in menstruation, says Dr. Rahman. “Women with PCOS will have a long history of irregular cycles,” adds Dr. Richardson. “They may also have months when they don't have a menstrual cycle at all because of their imbalanced hormone levels.”

If you’re suffering from PCOS, you’ll likely also experience cysts on your ovaries, hirsutism (or excessive hairiness), acne, obesity, and infertility, she says.

PCOS is not a medical emergency, but seeing your ob-gyn as soon as possible to prescribe medication can help minimize the symptoms, as untreated PCOS can lead to future health conditions such as metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, and sleep apnea, adds Dr. Rahman.

You’re suffering from primary ovarian insufficiency.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (previously referred to as premature ovarian failure) occurs when women have a loss of normal ovarian function prior to 40 years old, explains Dr. Richardson. If your ovaries aren’t working correctly, they won’t produce the right amounts of estrogen or release eggs when they’re supposed to, which could lead to shortened and irregular cycles, she says.

Primary ovarian insufficiency typically shows up around age 27 but occurs in one in 250 women by age 35 and one in 100 women by age 40, says Dr. Rahman. The most common symptoms are infertility and amenorrhea (a loss of periods), and it’s typically diagnosed through blood tests, she explains.

If you think you may have primary ovarian insufficiency and want to get pregnant in the future, talk to your doc about getting tested as well as your fertility options.

You have uterine scarring.

Scarring in the uterus can lead to shorter periods. This is known as Asherman Syndrome, a rare condition that most often occurs in women who have had multiple dilation and curettage (D&C) procedures, says Dr. Richardson. D&C's are often used to empty the uterus following miscarriage, as an abortion method, and to treat certain gynecological conditions.

“Women who have Asherman Syndrome have shorter cycles or amenorrhea because only the areas of the uterus that are not scarred are capable of bleeding. The more scarring that is involved, the less bleeding will occur.”

 Other symptoms (aside from a short period) can vary based on the degree of scarring, but you may also develop pelvic pain during your period which is caused by the obstruction of the menstrual flow due to scarring, explains Dr. McCarthy. Additionally, uterine scarring can be associated with infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss, she adds.

This condition would be diagnosed by hysteroscopy, says Dr. Richardson, and the adhesions (or scars) would have to be removed surgically in order for your flow to return to normal and to improve your ability to conceive, if desired.

You’re breastfeeding.

“Most women who are breastfeeding exclusively will not have a cycle while they are breastfeeding,” says Dr. Richardson. “Breastfeeding could delay ovulation for as long as 18 months, because the body is suppressing ovulation hormones by producing prolactin, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactose synthesis.” A normal cycle will return only when you stop or decrease the amount of breastfeeding, but even then, it could be shorter than normal due to the fluctuating hormones.

You have an overactive thyroid.

Your thyroid can actually affect your period: “The thyroid gland is regulated in the pituitary-hypothalamus axis of the brain, as are the hormones that regulate ovulation and menstruation,” says Dr. Dweck. “When one aspect of the axis is disturbed, so might be other aspects.”

In other words, the hormones that play a major role in regulating periods are produced in the same region of the brain as thyroid regulating hormones, says Dr. McCarthy. “If too many thyroid hormones are produced, they provide feedback to the hypothalamus to slow down production, which also inhibits period regulating hormones.” As a result, women with hyperthyroidism may have infrequent periods or amenorrhea (a lack of periods), she adds.

 Other indications of an overactive thyroid issue can include appetite and weight changes, difficulty with temperature regulation, hair changes, feelings of anxiety, and heart palpitations, according to Dr. Dweck. If you think you might have a thyroid disorder, talk to your doc about getting tested.

You have implantation bleeding.

Implantation is an early part of the pregnancy process when an embryo (i.e. fertilized egg) burrows into your uterine lining. It’s possible to bleed a little when that happens. And, if the timing lines up with your period, it’s understandable that you might think you’re having a period when you’re actually not.

“It can be difficult to tell the difference between implantation bleeding and a short period for some women because implantation can occur roughly six to 12 days after conception, which is often when a woman would expect her period,” Dr. Wider says. “The symptoms can look the same.” If there’s a chance you might be pregnant and you’re not sure what’s going on down there, take a pregnancy test to help rule pregnancy in or out, she says.

You’re really stressed out.

Stress can screw with just about everything in your life, so it’s hardly shocking that it can mess with your cycle, too. “High levels of stress can cause an increase in the production of [stress hormone] cortisol which in turn can cause a disruption in the way our bodies function normally,” Dr. Wider says.

Under normal (read: non-frazzled) times, your brain’s hypothalamus produces chemicals that trigger your pituitary gland to signal your ovaries to release estrogen and progesterone, she explains. “With an increase in cortisol from stress, that axis can get messed up and the menstrual cycle can become irregular,” Dr. Wider says.

“The less estrogen, the less stimulation of the lining of the uterus, so less bleeding,” Dr. Minkin adds.

When it comes to stress management and getting your period back on track, it’s important to find what works for *you*, whether that’s  exercise , massage, acupuncture, or journaling, says Dr. McCarthy. “Don’t be afraid to speak up because stress is a part of life, and we all need help through it, so find a friend, family member, or therapist to help with [individual] coping techniques.”

You’re in perimenopause.

“As women age, their cycle may become shorter—especially as they get closer to menopause,” says Dr. Richardson. Perimenopause, the time before menopause, when your body starts transitioning hormonally, typically starts in a woman's 40s, but  can start as early as the 30s. However, the average age of perimenopause is 47 and symptoms may last up to 10 years, adds Dr. Rahman.

“During that time, women may have shorter cycles or may not have a cycle at all." This is all perfectly normal, and there’s no need to seek medical attention during this time, says says Dr. Richardson. But if you’re concerned, especially about your fertility, a visit to your doc certainly can’t hurt.

If you’re in perimenopause, you may also experience hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, weight gain, and decreased libido, says Dr. McCarthy. Additional symptoms include brain fog, depression, anxiety, dry skin, joint pain, and vaginal burning or dryness from the lack of estrogen, adds Dr. Rahman.

When To See A Doctor

A lack of period at all for more than three months when not on hormonal medications, prolonged bleeding, erratic bleeding, or heavy bleeding soaking more than two pads per hour for two consecutive hours are all red flags and should be discussed with your provider, says Dr. McCarthy. Light bleeding is rarely something to worry about, but if menstrual bleeding is heavy enough to cause distress or interfere with daily life, it is too much, she adds.

Additionally, if your period persistently becomes less or more frequent over the course of a few months, or your flow is much heavier or lighter than usual, it’s time to check in with your doc, adds Dr. Rahman. “If it’s an isolated cycle, then you can monitor, but if your period starts to cause distress, then please see a doctor where they will do a complete history and physical exam, possibly draw blood, and may also perform an ultrasound,” she explains. “Women, particularly women of color, should advocate for themselves with any bleeding issue to ensure they are appropriately heard by [their] doctor and that [they] receive the appropriate management.”

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for food, medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  

https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    

https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs