7 Factors That Can Influence Premature Menopause

Even though, premature menopause can be due to factors that we cannot control, it can also be linked to poor lifestyle habits. In this case, we should try to modify them to avoid possible complications.

Menopause is defined as a stage during which a woman gradually stops having her period and is no longer fertile. It involves a series of hormonal changes that usually occur between the ages of 45 and 55. Did you know that there is also premature menopause?

Thus, many factors can arise and disrupt the normal cycle of the female reproductive system. These changes cause what we know as premature menopause.

This is a condition that can begin to manifest before the age of 40. It is usually characterized by irregularities in the menstrual cycles, which eventually go away completely.

Due to the changes that premature menopause involves, there is an increased risk of suffering from certain chronic diseases, affective disorders, and other symptoms that can affect quality of life.

Although premature menopause can also be due to a genetic problem, in many cases it is the impact certain factors have on hormone activity.

Discover them all!

1. Tobacco

Women who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke are more likely to experience premature menopause than those who do not have the habit or who do not have direct contact with tobacco.

Cigarettes contain chemicals that produce poor quality ovaries and embryos. In addition, the effects of tobacco also lead to an increase in chromosomal abnormalities.

These consequences alter and modify the activity of estrogen and progesterone, which causes the development of premature menopause.

2. The thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is involved in many vital processes in the body. Among these, it should be known that it plays a unique and essential role in the proper functioning of hormones.

For this reason, when the thyroid gland undergoes an alteration, there is a greater risk of suffering from premature menopause or other problems related to reproductive health.

Diseases such as hypothyroidism can cause symptoms related to premature menopause. Among the most common signs may be missed periods, mood swings and hot flashes.

3. Surgical interventions

Women who undergo certain types of surgeries are more likely to enter the stage of premature menopause.

Removing an ovary or uterus lowers the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, thereby speeding up the end of a woman’s fertile period.

In addition, the removal of both ovaries causes immediate menopause. Additionally, it can also be a side effect of cervical cancer surgery or pelvic surgery.

4. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy

These two treatments used in the fight against cancer could be responsible for the onset of premature menopause.

Although they prevent cell growth, they can also destroy some healthy cells, leading to early loss of the ovaries in many cases.

5. Consumption of processed meats

Among the many side effects that result from the consumption of processed meats, it should be noted that these influence cases of premature menopause.

Although the appearance of processed meats is fresh and very attractive, they contain high amounts of chemicals called nitrates and nitrites which can cause hormonal imbalance.

In addition to these effects, their consumption has been proven to cause adverse metabolic health consequences, which also affects the acceleration of menopause.

6. Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by an abnormality in the production and use of antibodies, which leads to “self-attack” of healthy tissue.

Their appearance has a negative impact on the health of the ovaries and they interfere with the activity of estrogen receptors.

This causes a series of imbalances that affect the reproductive health of women and often leads to premature menopause.

Several conditions of this type are:

• Vitiligo
• Anemia
• Lupus
• Sjögren syndrome
• Chronic hepatitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

7. The use of cosmetic and hygiene products

Many regulatory bodies are currently working to prevent the use of certain harmful components in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products. However, there are currently still a multitude of products on the market that contain substances that can affect our health.

Thus, their constant absorption or inhalation could influence the onset of thyroid disorders and hormonal diseases.

Shampoos, scented soaps, and other cosmetic products contain substances known as phthalates, the continued effects of which could cause premature menopause.

We can also find these substances in many body fragrances, hair gels and wash softeners.

Are you worried about the effects of menopause? We would all like it to happen at a normal age. But we can’t stop menopause from coming on prematurely.

For this reason, in order to reduce the risks and avoid premature menopause, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to carry out continuous medical follow-ups.

Menopause is a stage that produces many changes in a woman’s life. Even if we cannot control certain genetic aspects, it is possible to act on the external factors that influence the premature onset of menopause.