Menopause, technically, is the stage in which the ovaries no longer produce eggs and there's a lot of hormonal changes that take place in the body. Every woman has to go through menopause, and the right age of menopause is around 47 years. However, in recent times, there have been increasing cases of early menopause, which is known as a premature ovarian failure. And just like menopause, if you go through early menopause, you experience symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. So most women have this common doubt- can early menopause be delayed? If yes, how is it possible to delay the symptoms? Well, Dr Y S Nandanwar, Professor and Head of Department, Gynaecology, Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and Sion Hospital, Mumbai explains the common ways with which you can delay early menopause. Also read about factors that can put you at risk of early menopause.
Up the intake of oestrogen rich foods: Do not underestimate the power of a diet as a nutrient-rich and balanced diet can not only help you to stay fit and healthy but also aid in delaying menopause. As during menopause, there is a decrease in the production of oestrogen; it is advised to increase the intake of foods rich in oestrogen like soy, peanuts and flax seeds in the diet.
Exercise regularly without fail: Yes, the significance of exercise on maintaining your hormonal balance and also delay your chances of early menopause cannot be emphasised enough. You do not have to do strenuous exercises or hit the gym daily. Instead, going for a brisk walk for 30 minutes daily or doing yoga at home, five times a week, can help in the long run. Moreover, it can also help you to minimise the severity of the symptoms experienced during menopause.
Stay away from stress: It goes without saying that if you are stressed, then the chances of experiencing early menopause is very high. This is because, when stressed, the body produces hormones that can interfere with the normal functioning of the body. Moreover, it also causes the release of hormones that can lead to menopause-induced symptoms. Hence, it is wise to avoid stress and practise meditation or a hobby that can help you to keep your calm and keep the hormones in check.
HRT (hormone replacement therapy): Lastly, you can opt for hormonal supplementation or HRT, which causes loading up the body with the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. As a drop in the production of these hormones leads to early menopause, with the help of HRT, you can delay the symptoms of menopause. However, it is wise to consult your doctor before you plan to undergo this therapy as it can lead to various hormonal changes in the body. Wondering if it's good or not? Read more on should women opt for Hormone Replacement Therapy?
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