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Menopause
and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
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| Understanding
Menopause - Types Of Menopause |
· Natural Menopause
· Induced Menopause
· Premature Menopause
· Perimenopause
Natural
Menopause
- The definition of natural menopause
according to the Council of affiliated Menopause Societies (CAMS)
defines spontaneous menopause as the following; "the permanent
sensation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular
activity. Natural menopause is recognized to have occurred after 12
consecutive months of amenorrhea (stopped periods) for which there
is no other pathologic or biologic cause." To put it very simply,
menopause is the stop (pause) of your periods (menses).
In
the Western world the mean age for menopause is 51.4 year's, with
a range between 40 and 58 years. What makes menopause different
for women today than for their great grand parents is the fact that
woman now can expect to live another thirty years after menopause.
Induced
Menopause
- Menopause can also be Induced
or commonly referred to as surgical menopause is defined by CAMS
as "the cessation of menstruation that follows either surgical
removal of both ovaries (with or without hysterectomy) or iatrogenic
ablation of ovarian function (e.g. by chemotherapy or radiation)".
Women whom have the misfortune to undergo surgically induced menopause
develop immediate estrogen withdrawal and deficiency symptoms. What
makes the transition so difficult is the fact that one day you have
a normal menstrual cycle, the next day you have none whatsoever.
With natural menopause there is a gradual reduction of estrogen
thus the symptoms from induced menopause both physically and psychologically
are much more intense.
Premature
Menopause
- Premature Menopause or premature
ovarian failure (POF) is a third condition which results in cessation
of menstruation defined by CAMS "as menopause that occurs at
an age less then two standard deviations below the mean estimated
age for the reference population thus the age of 40 or less is considered
POF". Premature spontaneous ovarian failure clinical trial
data suggest that the incidence of POF in the US women is about
1%. What differentiates POF with natural spontaneous menopause have
an estimated 5% to 10% chance of spontaneous pregnancy.
Causes of POF, which are not due to induced menopause, as discussed
above include:
| Genetic
Irregularity: Defects
on an X Chromosoome |
Autoimmune
Disorder: Studies
have shown that up to two-thirds of the women with premature
ovarian failure have it due to an autoimmune disorder. In the
case of premature menopause, you may have antibodies to your
own ovarian tissue, to your endometrium, or to one or more of
the hormones regulating ovulation. These antibodies attack your
reproductive system, and may interfere with and ultimately destroy
your ovarian function.
Women whom reach menopause prematurely, that is before the age
of 40 has a two-fold increase in mortality rate. Thus the use
of HRT or Birth control pills should be seriously considered
due to the long-term health implications. |
| Perimenopause:
Can
be viewed as the actually time in ones life when you are going
through menopause According to CAMS Perimenopause is defined
as "the period immediately prior to menopause (when the
endocrinologic,biologic, and clinical features of approaching
menopause commence) and the first year after menopause."
According to the North American Menopause society "the
median age for Perimenopause is 47.5 years. For most women this
period last 4 years. With 90% of women experiencing menstrual
irregularity and 10% cease menstruation abruptly. |
| Diagnostic
Work Up for POF and Natural Menopause |
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Disclaimer:
The information contained on this website
has not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended
to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material provided
in the Dr. Brizel's web site is provided for educational purposes
only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified
health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical
condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health
program.
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All Rights Reserved, Center For Clinical Age Management, Inc.
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