Infertility & Early Menopause
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Ovarian Insufficiency
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Dr. Robert W. Rebar of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains that some women who are diagnosed with premature ovarian failure, which leads to premature menopause, actually conceive after the diagnosis is made; therefore, Dr. Rebar suggests that these patients have an initial diagnosis of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism or primary hypogodanism or primary ovarian insufficiency rather than premature ovarian failure. If a woman appears to have ovarian insufficiency, Dr. Rebar advises that she should be examined for thyroiditis, which is the most common autoimmune disorder connected to premature ovarian failure, as well for permutations of the FMR1 gene, which causes fragile X syndrome, and also for adrenal antibodies.
The Essential Hormones
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The ovaries produce estrogen, progesterone and androgens (testosterone), which is considered the male hormone, but women have it, and need it, too. According to Earlymenopause.org, 50 percent of the testosterone that is in a woman's body is produced by the ovaries. The other half is produced by the adrenals. If a woman suffers from premature ovarian failure, she loses estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Betterhealth.vic.gov explains that the ovaries convert testosterone, or androgens, into estrogen. Female androgen production demands the coordination and cooperation of the ovaries, the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands to keep the androgen level where it should be. According to the Daisynetwork.org.uk (http://www.daisynetwork.org.uk/hrt.html), nearly half of all women who are experiencing premature menopause may benefit from testosterone therapy.
Symptoms
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If you are younger than forty and are having the following symptoms this could mean that you are entering menopause prematurely, according to Medicinenet.com: Menstrual periods that are lighter or heavier than normal or missed or irregular periods and/or hot flashes. These are indications that your ovaries aren't producing enough estrogen. Estrogen and progesterone, the two female reproductive hormones, are needed to maintain regular menstrual periods and to sustain an egg, which produces a pregnancy.
Other Signs
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In addition, if you are younger than forty and are experiencing dry skin, dry eyes and dry mouth, inability to sleep, a decreased interest in sex, vaginal dryness and incontinence (loss of bladder control) these signs can also indicate imminent menopause.
Additional Causes
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You are at higher risk of entering menopause prematurely if your mother and other female relatives had premature menopause; or if you or one of your relatives has hypothyroidism, lupus or Grave's disease or any autoimmune disease.
Don't Smoke
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There are steps you can take to try and prevent premature menopause, according to Yourhealthcounts.net, including not smoking. Estrogen levels are lowered when a woman smokes and this changes the way that the body utilizes estrogen.
Risk Factors
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Vegetarians have earlier menopause than do meat eaters, according to Yourhealthcounts.net. It is believed that this is because androgen (male hormone) production is reduced in vegetarians. Drinking an occasional alcoholic beverage will reduce your chances of early menopause because alcohol metabolism occurs in the liver and this increases the enzymatic conversion of oestrone to oestradiol (estrogen).
If you are too thin, this may up your chances of entering menopause prematurely. Being underweight can upset your hormonal balance and reduce the amount of estrogen that your body needs to produce to retain its reproductive health.
Women who live at higher altitudes may enter menopause earlier than those who don't. These women produce fewer androgens (male hormones). According to Medicinenet.com, once premature menopause has begun it is highly unlikely that it can be reversed.
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