When a woman comes across infertility, she needs to look for the exact reason to get the right treatment. Early menopause is diagnosed as a cause of female infertility in numerous cases. As the name suggests, early menopause is characterised by a woman losing her ovarian function at an early age. The average age for menopause is 51 years, though it can happen earlier or later. If menopause occurs before 40 years, it is regarded as early menopause.
A woman who comes across this condition can be devastated as she loses her ability to conceive. Things can get all the more critical if she has decided to postpone motherhood to a later age. IVF Centre in Delhi focus not only on diagnosis and treatment but also on finding the exact cause and risk factors for the condition. In this regard, it is important to know whether early menopause could have genetic link or not. Depending upon the answer, a woman could learn about her risk factors and plan pregnancy accordingly.
Understanding Early Menopause
A woman is born with a finite number of eggs, which keeps diminishing with her age. When menopause sets in, the ovaries cease to release eggs as estrogen levels deteriorate. A woman is said to come across menopause when her menstrual cycle becomes irregular and finally stops. Normally, this happens as she approaches late forties but 1-3% of women may have it much earlier. With early menopause or premature ovarian failure, the woman can no longer bear children with her own eggs.
The most unfortunate fact about early menopause is that it may strike without warning. Patients may reach out to infertility clinics in Delhi suspecting some other problems but diagnosis of early menopause may come as an unpleasant surprise. This makes it all the more important for women to be vigilant and know whether they are at risk.
In any case, it is regarded safer for women not to postpone pregnancy till advanced age. While early menopause is one big reason for concern, there is also high risk of some age-related complications. These include increased chances of chromosomal abnormalities as egg quality declines with age. Also, older women have risk of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, premature labor and low birth weight. Therefore, it is considered better to plan motherhood before crossing their mid-thirties.
Early Menopause in Families: The Genetic Link
Over a period of time, research has been conducted to find out whether a woman’s menstrual cycle is influenced by genetic factors. The results have shown that it does have a genetic link indeed. In other words, a woman whose mother or sister has come across early menopause falls in high risk category. Consequently, the chances of becoming infertile at an early age are considerably higher for such women.
When women experiencing infertility issues approach infertility clinics in Delhi, they would first be investigated for genetic risks. The specialist will come up with a series of questions, including the timing of menopause for their mother and sisters. For cases where early menopause runs in families, certain tests are recommended for timely detection.
The diagnostic test used for this purpose measures the level of anti-Mullerian hormone. The level of this hormone is an indication of the ovarian reserve that a woman has left with her. Combined with other infertility tests, the AMH test can provide a complete picture of the fertility status of a woman. It can also give insight to the fact whether she is susceptible to losing her fertility to early menopause.
Early Menopause: Environmental Factors
In addition to the genetic factors, early menopause may also be attributed to certain environmental factors. These factors widely refer to the lifestyle and habits followed by women. For instance, a woman who is a regular smoker is likely to lose her ovarian function at a more rapid pace as compared to a non-smoker. Similarly, someone who has not conceived is at greater risk of early menopause. It can be said that early menopause has genetic links but it is not only the genes that are responsible. Following a positive lifestyle is as important for a woman who wants to preserve her fertility.
The specialists at infertility clinic in Delhi ask the patients to furnish information about the timing of menopause in their families. For instance, if the patient’s mother came across early menopause, they are subjected to specialized testing. Accordingly, it can be verified whether she is at high risk of early menopause. Pregnancy planning at a young age is seen as a feasible option in such cases. On the other hand, they may be recommended to take up egg freezing for preserving their fertility for the future.
Gaudium IVF is a renowned infertility clinic in Delhi which provides advanced and comprehensive treatment for all kinds of reproductive issues and pregnancy related complications. Visit here for free second opinion from the award-winning infertility specialist in Delhi, Dr Manika Khanna.
