Premature and early menopause in India can be linked to various factors. India faces a growing population of women experiencing menopause earlier than usual. Reaching menopause before age 40 (premature) or 45 (early) can have significant health implications, like increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Understanding the causes can help design better healthcare strategies and support these women.
According to a study, risk factors associated with premature and early menopause in India include
- lower educational levels,
- unemployment,
- high wealth,
- low household wealth,
- belonging to certain social categories,
- regular intake of fried food,
- alcohol use,
- tobacco consumption,
- higher parity,
- early age at childbearing, and
- smoking.
Additionally, women in Northern and Western India were found to be at higher risk. The prevalence of premature menopause in India was found to be relatively high among rural women.
Furthermore, there is evidence of an association between poverty and premature menopause, which requires further investigation. Understanding these risk factors is important for addressing the prevalence of premature and early menopause in India.
The study: Analyzed data from the 2019-2021 National Family Health Survey of India (NFHS). Excluded pregnant, lactating, and surgically menopausal women, leaving a sample of over 500,000. Defined menopause as no menstrual cycle for at least one year.
Assessed socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health factors for their association with early/premature menopause.
Symptoms of premature and early menopause
Premature and early menopause can cause a range of symptoms. According to the Cleveland Clinic some of the common symptoms of premature and early menopause include:
- Hot flashes (sudden warmth that spreads over your body)
- Night sweats
- Irregular menstrual cycles for a few years prior to the last menstrual period
- Longer or shorter menstrual cycles, spotting between periods, or changes in vaginal bleeding
- Stress
- Extreme tiredness, weakness, muscle and joint pain
- Memory loss
- Headache,
- Unrefreshing sleep, and other symptoms
Women who go through menopause early may have symptoms or health problems similar to those of menopause, such as hot flashes, sleep problems, mood changes, and vaginal dryness.
Additionally, women who experience premature or early menopause may be at higher risk for serious health problems, such as heart disease and osteoporosis, due to the sudden change in estrogen levels.
Other symptoms of premature and early menopause can include reduced sex drive, itchy skin, aches and pains, weight gain, and tiredness.
Key findings:
- 2.23% of women aged 15-39 experienced premature menopause.
16.2% of women aged 40-44 experienced early menopause. - Higher risk: Rural residence, lower education, lower wealth, being employed, “other backward classes” (OBC) caste, Northern/Western India, consuming fried food/alcohol/tobacco, using unhygienic menstrual methods, early menarche (pre-12 years), having terminated a pregnancy.
- Lower risk: Higher education, unemployment, higher wealth, never marrying.
Trends: Prevalence of premature menopause declined over time, while early menopause fluctuated.
Conclusions
The study suggests links between poverty, nutrition, and early/premature menopause. Educational, economic, and residential disadvantages may compound each other’s effects.
- Strengths: Large, representative sample, detailed data, clear exclusion criteria.
- Limitations: Self-reported data, cross-sectional design (cannot prove cause-and-effect).
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