What Are The Causes of Early Menopause?
If you think you won’t get menopause until you are around fifty years old, then you are no different than most women. However, there are some women in their late twenties and thirties who experience menopause early. So, why would any woman get early menopause? The following are the four primary causes of early menopause.
Eating Disorder
An eating disorder is the first of the primary causes of early menopause. A woman’s menstrual cycle can be halted after losing a vast amount of weight due to malnutrition. Since this process can be undone by regaining a healthy body mass index and eating properly, technically this is not menopause. However, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa are still referred to by many as one of the causes of early menopause.
Cancer Treatments
Cancer treatment is another one of the causes of early menopause for women. Chemotherapy, toxic drugs, and radiation therapy are such treatments. The reason why such treatments can lead to early menopause is because the ovaries may no longer work properly. If this occurs, menopause begins as the complete reproductive system is put to a halt.
If early menopause is in effect resulting from cancer treatments, the chances of a natural pregnancy become very rare. Although, through vitro fertilization, a woman still might be able to conceive.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are also one of the potential causes of early menopause that will be discussed. Your body is essentially attacking itself during the process. If the reproductive system is targeted by the body, a woman’s ovaries could be attacked and killed by her own antibodies.
When her ovaries are not working, the entire reproduction system fails to properly function and this will lead to menopause. Though, early menopause in some women with autoimmune disorders has been prevented due to some of the latest medical technology. You can talk to your doctor more about treatment.
Surgery On The Reproductive System
Reproductive system surgery is the fourth of the possible causes of early menopause, and is considered to be the most unnatural as well. Hysterectomies, even partial ones, and tubal ligation are just two of several possible surgeries that can lead to early menopause. Obviously, early menopause will take place when the removal of ovaries from the body occurs. Even if ovaries are kept intact, they could suffer damage from surgery, which could also cause early menopause.
Before going through surgery, you can talk to your doctor and express your concerns about your ovaries being damaged. This way, they will take extra precaution when performing the operation. However, if the surgery doesn’t go as planned and your ovaries are damaged and you experience early menopause, you can always seek support. Their are support groups online, and your doctor should be aware of some in your area.
Category: Early Menopause
