The 5 most common symptoms of early menopause.
Menopause begins for most women between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the average. Menopause happens when your ovaries cease to produce eggs, lowering oestrogen levels and marking the end of the reproductive period of a woman’s life.
Menopause itself is entered into once 12 months have passed since a woman’s last period. The interim years is referred to as perimenopause and often brings with it a host of not so pleasant early menopause symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, menopause insomnia, mood swings and reduced libido.
Early menopause - or premature menopause - is characterised by onset before the age of 45, but can happen much earlier for some women. Signs of premature menopause can be difficult to spot, so we have put together a list of the most common symptoms to look out for.
If you think you might be going through premature menopause you might want to consider taking nutrients and menopause vitamins to support your body, rather than resorting to HRT. There are many possible causes of early menopause, some of which are also outlined below.
What causes early menopause?
There are several known contributors to early menopause, though in many cases the precise cause is difficult to pinpoint. Anything that causes damage to your ovaries or impacts oestrogen production can cause menopause to start prematurely. Some of the most common causes of early menopause include:
1. Medical treatments
Chemotherapy for cancer is a common culprit as it can damage the ovaries as a by-product of treating tumour growth. Medically necessitated removal of the ovaries will also usually lead to early menopause.
2. Genetic factors
Your age of menopause onset is usually inherited from your mother. Finding out when she went through her menopause can usually provide a fairly accurate prediction of when to expect your own. If your mother experienced non-medically induced early menopause, the likelihood is that you will too.
3. Lifestyle factors
Your lifestyle can have an impact on the timing of your menopause onset. For example, if you smoke or are underweight you are more likely to experience premature menopause.
Smoking has anti-oestrogenic effects and, as oestrogen is stored in fat cells, women who have lower than average BMI readings are more likely to experience early menopause than those who have greater stores of the hormone.
Research also suggests that being vegetarian or vegan, not getting enough exercise, and not being exposed to adequate sunlight may all have an impact on reducing the age at which a woman enters menopause.
4. Other factors
Other factors such as chromosome defects (in particular Turner Syndrome and other so-called ‘Fragile X’ syndromes), autoimmune disease and epilepsy may all contribute to early menopause. This is an area that needs more research as most women with epilepsy seem to have the menopause at around the same age as women who are not living with the condition.
Most women suspect that they are entering early menopause when they begin having irregular periods or periods that are significantly longer or shorter than they’re used to experiencing. However, there are a number of symptoms that can show up long before changes to, and the eventual cessation of, your menstrual cycle.
What are the early signs of menopause?
1. Hot flushes
Hot flushes are probably the most common and therefore recognised menopause symptom. Hot flushes can be uncomfortable and have a severe impact on your quality of life if left untreated.
Historically, women have often opted for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT, however, comes packaged with its own roster of side-effects, leading to increasing numbers of women turning to natural supplements to ease their hot flushes.
LYMA's advanced formula features patented ingredients that have undergone peer review, aimed at promoting hormonal balance and alleviating the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.
Elevated inflammation is a significant contributor to severe symptoms associated with early menopause, and reducing inflammation within the body has been correlated with fewer hot flashes in women experiencing menopause.
LYMA incorporates Hydrocurc®, the world's first fully water- and fat-soluble curcumin. Curcumin in Hydrocurc® is 250% more bioavailable than standard dietary curcumin, making it substantially more effective.
Each dose of LYMA delivers an impressive 600mg of Hydrocurc®, providing an exceptional 85% curcuminoids.
2. Night sweats
Night sweats can occur due to hormonal imbalances. LYMA includes Sensoril® Ashwagandha, a top-tier, full-spectrum variant of ashwagandha. This adaptogenic herb has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine, where it has been used for centuries to help individuals adapt their bodies and mind to the environment.
Research indicates that Sensoril® Ashwagandha outperforms non-patented versions in helping you adapt to the stress of modern life.
3. Difficulty sleeping
Sensoril® Ashwagandha has further benefits for women going through early menopause: it can elicit a sense of calm and wellbeing, and indirectly ease menopause insomnia.
Although menopause insomnia is difficult to cure completely, Sensoril® Ashwagandha has been used to alleviate stress-related symptoms.
Sensoril® Ashwagandha contains triethylene glycol - the compound responsible for transmitting sleep signals from the body to the brain and back again. Elevated levels of triethylene glycol result in a more serene state of mind.
According to recent research, Sensoril® Ashwagandha can further support women’s sleep-wake cycles during early menopause by boosting the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate the sleep cycle, as well as those that regulate reproduction and mood.
4. Low mood
Regulation of the mood-determining hormones serotonin and dopamine can become unbalanced during early menopause, resulting in the development of low mood, anxiety and even depression. Ashwagandha, dosed in the LYMA Supplement, benefits men and women equally.
Another one of LYMA’s wonder ingredients, affron®, is the only saffron extract to be backed by clinical evidence. Six independent, peer-reviewed, randomised, double-blind studies have confirmed the mood-benefits of affron®. Saffron extract has been used as a traditional over-the-counter antidepressant medications at treating poor mental health and - unlike antidepressants - doesn’t come with any nasty side effects.
5. Unwanted weight gain
One particular strain of oestrogen - estradiol - decreases dramatically during perimenopause. Estradiol is responsible for blood sugar regulation and metabolism, and its decline can cause unwanted weight gain, particularly around the hips and thighs.
Increase the amount of exercise you’re doing, avoid inflammatory foods (specifically alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar and processed carbohydrates, all of which can disrupt hormones and contribute to weight gain) and make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D3 helps to activate insulin for use in the body’s metabolic process. The majority of people in the northern hemisphere are deficient in Vitamin D3. Without adequate levels of the vitamin, your body cannot effectively manage insulin. Your body’s consequent inability to regulate its blood sugar levels can result in unwanted weight gain and can even contribute to diabetes.
Vita-algae D3™ has been formulated at a clinical dose of 2,000 i.u. in LYMA. LYMA’s Vita-algae D3™ is not only scientifically dosed, it is also fully patented, and highly bioavailable.
Optimizing your nutrition during menopause, whether through dietary adjustments or enhancing your supplement routine, can alleviate symptoms linked to early menopause. Issues like night sweats and menopause-related insomnia can be managed effectively with the right supplements.
For many women, early menopause can be an unexpected challenge, and at LYMA, we are dedicated to helping you navigate any obstacles you may face by continuously researching the best nutrients we might benefit from in our daily lives.
Always consult your medical professional if you have a medical condition, or existing health protocol, before beginning any new supplementation regime.
