Menopause at 35, how does it affect a woman's body and mind?

The end of menstruation and early onset of menopause affect the physical and mental healthof women as a result of the loss of the protective effect of estrogens. Early menopause (40-45 years) and very early menopause (before the age of 40) are now distinguished by science.

Here's all you need to know about pathological menopause from Virginia Canales , a gynecologist at Urduliz Hospital at OSI Arrasate Uribe.

Although the causes may be varied and the symptoms variable, the most commonwarning signal is the lack of regularity of menstruation: "Three or four months without menstruation, then come again, and after another time another four or five months without coming," said Canales.

In addition, classic symptomssuch as heat sensations, mood swings, poor sleep quality, dryness and discomfort in sexual intercourse are added. "When they start with them, they usually come to our office," says Canales. "If the pattern repeats and in a year we see that they have very few months and have symptoms, we do analytics and studies until we get to the diagnosis," he says.

Although there are no statistics in the Basque Country, it is estimated that the probability of early or very early menopause is 1-3% for women under 40 and 10% for those under 45. "People consult more and earlier. If consulted earlier, they start pulling the thread and make more diagnoses," explains the gynaecologist.

In physiological menopause, the end of menstruation comes naturally, but in the early stages, women face a pathological condition. Estrogen loss is so early that the body is left helpless on all fronts where these hormones act as protection: the cardiovascular system, bone health, and neurological health.

This increasesthe risk of heart attacks and stroke due to their direct effect on blood vessels, accelerates the weakening of the trabecula system and increases the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, many patients suffer from concentration problems, memory deficiencies and mental mist. Canales further points out that "some studies associate early menopause with some forms of dementia."

The drugs available are similar to those used to treat conventional menopause, but two factors are taken into accountin prescribing: the interval between physiological menopause and the medical origin of this early menopause.

If physiological menopause is limited to about five years, young patients also benefit more from sake than from contraindication, and are maintained until the age at which physiological menopause should reach (about 50 years).

The possibilities of therapy are very broad and tailored to the needsof life. "We have to take into account the wishes of each woman: whether they want to be mothers or not, because depending on that, estrogens and treatments (synthetic, natural...) can be modified," explains the gynecologist from Osakidetza, "there is a very wide range of possibilities."

Furthermore, once the diagnosis has been made, the protocol of the Basque health system allows these patients to be referred to assisted reproduction consultations if necessary.We also provide themwith psychological support because at any given time it can be hard to deal with this, especially when physical symptoms (artralgias or joint pains) associated with premature aging appear.

As a recommendation, the gynaecologist recommends "making life as healthy as possible" : exercise regularly, avoid smoking, follow a balanced diet, and take care of social relationships. "This will protect us and probably help us to have lighter symptoms," he said.

And one last piece of advice: "If the symptoms show, don't wait forthem to be too bad. "" Go to your doctor and explain to him and together you will assess what is right, "Canales encourages.