Menopause is one of those stages in every woman’s life when her body goes through some dramatic changes. The typical age for the onset of menopause is between 45-55. A variety of variables influence the onset of menopause and the symptoms associated with it.
Read on to learn more about the influence of genetic and environmental factors on menopause.
Role of Genetics & Environmental Factors: What Studies Tell
Scientific studies reveal that the influence of genetics on menopausal symptoms is stronger than environmental factors, e.g., lifestyle. The two most common menopausal symptoms, i.e., hot flashes and night sweats, are highly associated with the effect of genetic variants. If your mother went through early or late menopause, you might experience similar menopausal symptoms.
Environmental factors have a more minor but still noteworthy impact on menopausal symptoms. For example, alcohol and caffeine consumption, as well as smoking, can lead to a higher risk of early menopause. Some mothers experience quite uncomfortable menopausal symptoms that are distressing for their daughters. You can alleviate the symptoms by taking some helpful steps, such as eating a balanced and healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and abstaining from alcohol.
Do you know that in 2004, researchers set out to assess the heredity of age at menopause using 164 mother-daughter couples who had already gone through menopause? It was found that there is a menopausal heritability rate of 44% in the sample.
Here’s one way to interpret the results: Almost half of the 164 daughters in the sample went through menopause at the same age as their mother. On average, the daughters reached menopause one year before their moms.
Detailed Symptoms and Causes of Menopause
Hot Flashes and Sleep Issues
Over the perimenopause, hot flashes caused are common. Changes occur in the frequency, length, and intensity. Though hot flashes and night sweats are frequently the cause of sleep insomnia, they can also occasionally make sleep unpredictable.
Irregular Periods
Your flow may be mild to heavy, your periods may come and go, and the duration between them may change as ovulation becomes more erratic. You might be in the early stages of perimenopause if there is a consistent shift in the length of your menstrual cycle of seven days or more. You are probably in late perimenopause if it is sixty days or longer between periods.
Changes in Mood
Perimenopause might bring on mood changes, irritation, or a higher chance of depression. Hot flashes that cause sleep disorders could be the source of these symptoms. There are other potential causes of mood swings besides the hormonal shifts associated with perimenopause.
Reduction in bone mass
Your risk of osteoporosis, a condition that results in fragile bones, increases when your oestrogen levels drop because you begin to lose bone health more quickly than you can grow new bone.
Fertility Decrease
Your chances of getting pregnant decline with irregular ovulation. Pregnancy is still possible, though, as long as you are menstruating. Use birth control until you’ve gone 12 months without menstruation if you want to avoid getting pregnant.
Cholesterol Levels Change
Your blood cholesterol levels can vary negatively as a result of declining oestrogen levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or the “bad” cholesterol that raises your risk of heart disease. “Good” cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also tends to drop in many ageing women, raising their risk of heart disease.
Issues with the bladder and vagina
Sexual activity can become uncomfortable when oestrogen levels drop because your vaginal tissues can become less supple and lubricating. Also, having low oestrogen can make you more susceptible to vaginal dryness or urinary infections. Urinary incontinence may be exacerbated by loss of tissue tone.
Modifications in sexual behavior
Sexual desire and arousal might fluctuate during the perimenopause. However, if you experienced fulfilling sexual relations prior to menopause, this is probably going to carry over into the perimenopause and beyond.
KÜLKUF Wristbands
The good news is just because your mother or sister bore the irritating symptoms doesn’t mean you’ll have to experience the same thing. We highly recommend a KÜLKUF wristband, which can stop your hot flashes instantly!
Concluding Words
Women can have more comfort and well-being during menopause by leading a healthy lifestyle, controlling pre-existing medical illnesses, addressing reproductive health difficulties, and getting appropriate medical counseling. Effective regulation of menopausal symptoms requires seeking guidance and treatment choices from healthcare specialists on an individual basis.
