Health Tips

In most cases, early menopause cannot be prevented. Early menopause occurs for a wide variety of reasons, including family history, viral infections, surgeries, and cancer treatments. However, some studies show that women can do various things to prevent the possibility of early menopause.

Studies have shown that women who smoke are 40% more likely to have early menopause than women who don’t smoke. Smoking lowers estrogen levels, and changes the way that our bodies use estrogen. Some researchers even believe that smoking has an influence on the menstrual cycle. Breaking the smoking habit will greatly reduce your chances of having early menopause. Other research shows smoking intensifies the symptoms associated with menopause.

Vegetarian diets are also believed to be a contributing factor in early menopause. Studies have shown that women who have balanced diets that include meat start menopause at a later age then women who are vegetarians. Researchers have not concluded the exact connection, but believe that it may have something to do with the reduction in the number of androgens that are produced in people who eat vegetarian diets. Androgens are male hormones, like testosterone. Newer research into the importance of androgens to women’s health is currently being conducted.

Alcohol, or rather, a lack of alcoholic beverages, can also lead to early menopause. This does not mean that you should go out and get drunk. But simply having an alcoholic drink every once in a while will reduce your chances of having early menopause. Research has shown when alcohol is consumed, alcohol metabolism is created in the liver. This increases enzymatic conversion of oestrone to oestradiol. More research is currently being done in this area.

Being underweight also leads to early menopause. Being underweight can alter your hormone balances. It can reduce the amount of estrogen being produced. This can lead to early menopause as well.

Studies have also shown that women who live at higher altitudes are at higher risk for early menopause. Researchers have found that women who live in higher altitudes produce a lower number of androgens. Again, this lower production of androgens is believed to be a factor for early menopause.

Overall, researchers believe that you can help reduce your risk of early menopause by making slight changes in your lifestyle, which include not smoking, eating a balanced diet that includes meat, having an occasional alcoholic drink, keeping your weight at a healthy level, and living in a lower altitude. It’s important to note that once menopause has begun, you cannot stop it.

You should begin taking measures to prevent early menopause as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor about other lifestyle changes you can make that may reduce your chances of experiencing an early menopause.

Remember, that the majority of the causes of early menopause are beyond your control. Therefore, don’t be hard on yourself. Stop second guessing the cause. Talk to your doctor. Learn about the changes in your body and ways to relieve the annoying symptoms. You’ll be ahead of the pack and start taking back control of your life.