On average, most women will go through menopause around the age of 51. Still, the actual process can kick off around your mid to late 40s. This is when you’ll gradually stop making as much oestrogen and might experience symptoms like irregular periods and those dreaded hot flashes. This is all par for the course. However it’s not something you’d want to experience long before you had to. Alas, if you’re affected by premature menopause, you could experience the “change of life” before turning 40. This is called early menopause!

Early menopause, why me?

Women with a family history of early or premature menopause are more likely to experience it themselves. However there are many things that can cause it. One of the “biggies” is smoking. Studies have shown that women who smoke reach menopause as many as two years earlier than non-smokers. Smokers are also likely to experience menopause symptoms that are much more severe. In short, if you’re smoking, these are just two of a hundred reasons to quit!

Certain health conditions can also bring on premature menopause. These include autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. These illnesses cause your body to mistakenly attack your ovaries. HIV and AIDS, if left untreated, is another cause. Women suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome are also more likely to experience premature menopause.

Bring back the balance, after early menopause

Get medical assistance for blood tests. These measure your hormone levels and accurately diagnose whether you’re undergoing any type of menopause. Be it premature or when it’s expected. You then have the option of being treated via hormone replacement therapy.

There are several ways to replace the hormones you now have less of or are no longer making. One is to use synthetic hormones, but this isn’t something we would recommend. These hormones are chemically different from what’s produced by your body. As a result they are associated with an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, breast cancer and heart attacks. This is why, we prefer bio-identical hormones. They have the same chemical and molecule structure as your own but are synthesised from yams and soy.

As far as taking them goes, you’ll have the option of applying a daily cream or making use of a pellet. The latter is a great “get it done and forget about it” option as it’s the size of a grain of rice yet releases the hormones you need for up to six months at a time.

In both circumstances, your doctor will regularly check your hormone levels to ensure you remain balanced and any menopause-related symptoms are eased or alleviated.

The bottom line

Ultimately, the age at which you begin to experience menopause symptoms, be it premature or not, is largely dictated by your genes. Still, certain health conditions and your smoker status most definitely play a role. To ease the severity of your symptoms, you can consider hormone replacement therapy and, at Health Renewal, we think the bio-identical route is best. To check your hormone levels, make an appointment to chat with one of our highly-skilled doctors who can advise you on the best way forward. Together, we can help you experience the change of life as a gentle shift.