Asian women in Bahrain are at a higher risk of early menopause, a medical expert has highlighted, coinciding with World Menopause Day today.
Al Hilal Hospital Muharraq obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Maimoona Liaqat has attributed the pattern to a mix of factors, including poor lifestyle and stress.
Early menopause can be caused by various factors, including genetic influences, lifestyle habits, diet, environmental exposure to toxins and other medical issues or interventions.
“Asian women as young as 35 have come to me and are showing signs of menopause,” Dr Liaqat told the GDN.
“Some of the symptoms to watch out for are irregular periods, frequent urination, intimate area dryness, hot flashes, mood swings and brain fog,” she added.
“When you are an expat, working and living away from home, it has an impact. Your food changes and, combined with little to no physical activity or exercise, it can affect your health.
“Even mental health factors like stress play a major role. All of this impacts how your hormones will act,” the expert warned.
Menopause leads to significant hormonal changes, primarily a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels, resulting in various physical and emotional symptoms. Estrogen and progesterone are essential for reproductive health and function. Additionally, they influence bone and cardiovascular health.
The International Menopause Society founded World Menopause Day in 2009 to raise awareness of menopause and improve the experience of women around the world.
Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, marking the end of female reproductive cycle, and the average age when it occurs is 51 years. Early menopause is defined as occurring between the ages of 40 to 45, with symptoms starting earlier.
Dr Liaqat underpinned that the course of treatment, whether hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) or non-hormonal prescription medications, can only be decided on a case-by-case basis. She also advised women to get checked for their hormone levels by the age of 35.
“If a patient shows signs of early menopause and, on testing, has a high FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), you can start HRT immediately because she is still young.
“It is, however, not safe for someone who has gone into menopause for the last five years or more, or even for someone who might have a family history of strokes or DVT (deep-vein thrombosis).
“In such cases, depending on the type of symptoms, we go for non-hormonal medication. There are multivitamins especially for menopause, which have the effect of estrogen. We can prescribe reuptake inhibitors, which have the effect of anti-depressants and help with brain fog. A latest one is the neurokinin receptor antagonist, which is effective for hot flashes.
“If someone is suffering from sleep issues (like insomnia or sleep apnea), or dealing with anxiety, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help to cope with these situations,” Dr Liaqat advised.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Haya Al Noaimi, who is part of the Bahrain Defence Force Royal Medical Services, highlighted how women may encounter a range of emotions during the menopausal period.
“They might feel a sense of panic, anxiety, dread or tension and nervousness. In fact, anxiety can worsen due to unpredictable hot flashes and insomnia.
“Hormonal changes and physical changes that can affect mood, confidence, and body image are the main causes of low self-esteem during menopause. Managing this calls for a multifaceted strategy that includes expert assistance,” Dr Al Noaimi said.
“About 5pc of people experience a spontaneous early menopause. One study notes that approximately 1pc of women worldwide go through menopause before the age of 40,” highlighted the expert specialising in consultation liaison and psychosomatic medicine.
While menopause is inevitable and cannot be delayed, global studies suggest that women can lessen the chances of entering it early by following a healthy and active lifestyle. Additionally, the symptoms of perimenopause – the transitional phase leading up to it – can be effectively managed through better choices.
Healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the odds of early menopause
• Incorporate an omega- and anti-oxidant-rich diet, with foods like salmon and other oily fish, berries, fresh legumes and tea
• Avoid refined carbohydrates
• Include micronutrients like vitamins and magnesium
• Avoid smoking or exposure to secondary smoke
• Maintain a health body mass index – not more or less than through a balanced diet and physical activity
• Protect your mental health with self-care and consult an expert if you must
Symptoms associated with menopause
• Hot flushes and night sweats causing a sudden feeling of heat in the face, neck and chest, often accompanied by flushing of the skin, perspiration, palpitations and acute feelings of physical discomfort which can last several minutes
• Changes in the regularity and flow of the menstrual cycle, culminating in cessation of menstruation
• Intimate area dryness and urinal incontinence
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Changes in mood, depression and anxiety
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