Whether we like it not, menopause is something we women have to face at some point in our life. Our hormones and the imbalances that are bound to occur is something we all need to prepare for.
For most women, menopause usually begins at the ages of 47 and 55. For others, however, this phenomenon can happen even before reaching the age of 40. This condition is known as Premature Ovarian Failure or Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.
Premature Ovarian Failure typically occurs during normal childbearing years. You will know that you have this condition if your estrogen, progesterone hormones become unbalanced for no apparent reason. The symptoms for Premature Ovarian Failure and menopause are identical, as both of these conditions are the result of some disorder in the production of hormones that lead to imbalances.
Getting a proper diagnosis from your doctor is the first thing you should do before using any form of treatment. Your doctor will be able to identify if what you are experiencing is hormone imbalance or some other disease that would require different treatment.
How is Premature Ovarian Failure diagnosed?
The first sign of Premature Ovarian Failure is the loss of your monthly period. Most often, this does not happen abruptly, but rather slowly with noticeable irregular periods which gets worse as the months go by.
Because this condition often occurs at such an unexpected time in a woman’s life, it may be misinterpreted as a symptom some other condition. It is normal for your doctor to ask you questions on your family history, as this would allow them to eliminate other possible causes. Additionally, you may be asked to take blood tests to check your estrogen and progesterone levels, as well as your follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones. These tests will indicate whether your ovaries are functioning properly.
If it your ovaries are showing signs of failure due to premature menopause, it is possible that more tests may be required. About two thirds of the women experiencing Premature Ovarian Failure also have autoimmune conditions and genetic related disorders. Making a full diagnosis will help determine proper treatment and the causes of such imbalances.
What are the treatment options?
There are many treatment options for Premature Ovarian Failure but the most popular option is natural Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT).
Hormone therapy works to replenish estrogen and/or progesterone. Replacing estrogen hormones only, which is often prescribed, has proven to be dangerous and ineffective. Today’s hormone therapy requires that hormone replacement should also include progesterone to overcome the dangers of estrogen only treatment. NOTE: Many doctors still prescribe estrogen only therapy. If this happens to you INSIST that progestone also be included.
The best-known hormone therapy available is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Not only are they safe but they are guaranteed effective in countering disorders in the production of hormones and the imbalances that occur in cases of menopause and pre-menopause.
Bioidenticals are hormones naturally produced by our body. When treating conditions that affect our hormone balance, bioidenticals are the best at replenishing them without adversely impacting the body’s natural ability to produce what hormones it can – some other treatments close down production of these hormones so you may be forced to use these treatments forever as your body cannot, in the future, manufacturing the hormones it needs to survive.
Of all the available forms of hormone therapy, only bioidentical treatments can safely do this.
