Menopause: Kann ich beeinflussen, wann ich in die Wechseljahre komme?
Die eine ist mit den Wechseljahren früh dran, die andere spät. Bestimmen allein die Gene, wann es so weit ist? Was kann die Menopause der Mutter über die eigene verraten? Eine Gynäkologin antwortet.
Many women, including younger ones, wonder when they will experience menopause. Often, it is around the age of 51 or 52 that half of women have their last menstrual period, known as menopause. However, the cycle can start earlier or later. Hormonal changes leading to menopause occur during the premenopause and perimenopause stages.
Factors can slightly accelerate the onset, though rarely by more than a year or two. These factors include smoking, high stress, conditions like diabetes, surgeries near the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. In rare cases, premature menopause occurs before the age of 40, leaving women without menstrual periods. Around 0.3% of women experience their last cycle before turning 35.
While many women struggle with the question, "Why me?", the underlying cause is often unclear. The majority of cases involve genetics. Additionally, the mother's exposure to certain stressors during pregnancy, such as smoking, harmful medications, radiation, or malnutrition, can affect the egg supply early in life. This limited supply means women with fewer eggs will experience menopause earlier.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
