There is a rise in such cases among young women due to high-stress jobs and lifestyle choices, explains Dr Anubha Singh
Premature ovarian failure (POF) or premature menopause refers to a loss of normal function of the ovaries before the age of 40. If your ovaries fail, they don’t produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. There will be irregular periods over the years in premature ovarian failure, whereas in premature menopause there will be no periods at all, causing infertility. This condition needs to be addressed as soon as you spot the symptoms. In addition, options for fertility may exist if a woman desires a pregnancy.
The Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) survey highlighted that on an average, nearly 4 per cent of Indian women are already menopausal between the ages of 29 and 34. It goes up to 8 per cent in the case of women between 35 and 39 years. This is shocking because normal menopause starts between the ages of 45 and 55, with a mean age of around 51 years worldwide.
SYMPTOMS
The signs of premature menopause are the same as those experienced by women undergoing natural menopause and may include:
If you experience these symptoms, then consult any fertility centre and go for blood test. If your FSH level (follicle stimulating hormone) is more than 25mIU/l, you might have POF.
In the past few years, it has come to light that there are a number of factors that can lead to premature menopause. It could be a result of lifestyle choices that include smoking and drinking, or thyroid or auto immune diseases, exposure to radiation like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, poor nutrition etc. Along with these, genital tuberculosis also leads to ovarian failure.
The causes of POF remain undetermined in majority of the cases, but changing food habits, work culture with increased pressure and high stress jobs are some of the reasons.
According to experts, having a family history of POF increases the risk of developing this disorder. A women’s body is going through so many changes today because of the atmosphere and lifestyle requirements, and that’s why cases of POF in young women are rising. It is better to start and plan your family on time, and if you have any medical issues, consult your doctor soon.
TREATMENT
Fortunately, advances in medical technology provide solutions for such problems, such as In vitro fertilisation or IVF technique. If your ovaries fail, consult a good gynecologist and go for hormone replacement therapy, in which some of the hormones like estrogen and progesterone are replaced, which reduce during and after menopause.
Egg donation is an essential process of IVF. Treatment involves recruiting an egg donor, who agrees to undergo stimulation with injections for approximately 14 days. It is followed by egg collection; donor eggs are mixed with husband sperms to form an embryo. Two embryos are transferred in women less than 40 years of age, and three embryos in women more than 40. The remaining good quality embryos are kept frozen for future use.
Being an infertility specialist, I understand the value of getting pregnant. If any couple wants to delay pregnancy, they should consult the doctor first for guidance.
Some women can try natural treatments to help relieve hot flashes. Some useful tips are:
The writer is an infertility expert from Shantah IVF Centre