Startling Study Reveals Shocking Link Between PMS and Premature Menopause - Don't Miss Out!
Experience of PMS may signal increased risk of early menopause, leading to potential health concerns Discover the connection between PMS and early menopause, along with effective strategies to manage both conditions
A new study reveals that experiencing PMS, such as cramps, headaches, and depression, could potentially lead to complications with menopause later in life. Individuals with premenstrual disorders, including premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, are found to have a more than double the risk of experiencing early menopause.
"We discovered that women with PMDs have a significantly higher risk of experiencing early menopause compared to those without PMDs," stated Yihui Yang, a doctoral student at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, in an email.
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A heart condition may affect 1 in 4 women after menopause, study finds
Menopause is considered early when it occurs before age 45, which will happen in 5% to 10% of women, Yang said.
Dr. Stephanie Faubion, director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health and medical director of The Menopause Society, emphasized the significance of addressing early menopause, not only due to the shortened reproductive years but also due to its association with various health complications such as heart, brain, and bone issues.
Women who undergo early menopause are at a higher risk of facing various health concerns such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and neurological diseases, as indicated by a study conducted in 2010. Additionally, the study suggests that women with PMDs are more prone to experiencing severe vasomotor symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats.
Prior research has shown a link between hot flashes and later cognitive decline and heart attacks.
How are PMS and early menopause connected?
The study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Tuesday, analyzed data from over 3,000 women. Out of these women, 1,220 had premenstrual disorders (PMD) and 2,415 did not. The participants were part of the Nurses Health Study II, a research project focused on investigating the risk factors for chronic diseases in women.
Starting in 1991, the women recorded their PMD diagnoses and provided answers to a questionnaire to confirm their symptoms. The researchers monitored the participants every two years until 2017 to track the onset of menopause and in three of those surveys, asked about the severity of their symptoms.
It is crucial to acknowledge that as this is an observational study, it cannot establish a causal relationship between premenstrual disorders and early menopause. Rather, the findings indicate a correlation between the two, emphasized Dr. Donghao Lu, an associate professor in the department of medical epidemiology and biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet.
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Menopausal symptoms contribute to significant healthcare expenditures and work absenteeism, according to a recent study. Despite the noteworthy design of this research, Faubion emphasizes its significance in shedding light on an often neglected and undertreated reproductive health issue.
In an email, Faubion stated that researchers must further investigate the link between the two conditions and determine if there is a biological process connecting them.
According to Yang, there has been some research supporting the connection between PMDs and early menopause.
Yang noted that studies have indicated shared risk factors between the two, including development during puberty and smoking, indicating a potential common root cause. Faubion further proposed that differences in the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for hot flashes, among women with hormone-driven mood disorders, could contribute to this phenomenon.
"We also dont know if treating these mood disorders would mitigate hot flashes or influence timing of menopause," she said. "Lots of questions remain."
What to do for PMS and early menopause
Lead study author Dr. Elizabeth Bertone-Johnson, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, suggests that conducting research like this can assist health care professionals in identifying individuals who may be susceptible to early menopause. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines premenstrual syndrome as a condition characterized by monthly physiological and emotional changes before menstruation.
Symptoms associated with this condition may encompass heightened anxiety levels, feelings of melancholy, increased irritability, difficulty sleeping, reduced focus and attention span, fluctuations in appetite, persistent tiredness, body discomfort, recurring headaches, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, and abdominal pain.
Cold sweat. Low angle of beautiful mature woman sweating and carrying glass of water
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The FDA has approved a new drug for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition similar to PMS but with more severe symptoms including panic attacks, anger affecting relationships, and loss of interest in daily activities, is experienced by a small percentage of individuals, as stated by the Office on Women's Health, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Medications and behavior modifications can assist in managing symptoms, even though PMS or PMDD cannot be eliminated completely, according to Faubion. It is important for women to be aware that there are strategies available to alleviate the discomfort and hot flashes associated with early menopause.
Faubion suggests consulting your healthcare provider or seeking guidance from a menopause expert or a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP), which can be found on menopause.org.
According to Yang, individuals with PMDs may not have many immediate options, but it is crucial to be aware of potential future risks.
"She mentioned that individuals can seek guidance from healthcare experts for possible measures of prevention and/or intervention in the future."
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