Menopause: Will You Follow in Your Mother's Footsteps?

Menopause is a difficult time for women. It can bring many challenges and challenges that you might not be prepared for. Many women wonder if they will experience a menopausal period the same way their mothers did.

A recent article in CNA Lifestyle presented evidence that suggests a genetic link to the menopausal period.

However, as we will find out, how a woman goes through the menopausal period is not so easy to predict.

Is Menopause Genetically Linked?

Researchers have found that there is a genetic link to menopause. Your own menopausal period could be influenced by when your mother reached menopause and the symptoms she experienced. Therefore, many women wonder if they will go through the same erratic mood swings that their mother did.

Interestingly, while mothers are open about speaking to their teenage daughters about bodily changes during puberty, few seem as open about sharing their menopause experience. This is why some women are not sure what to expect when it comes to the menopausal period.

What if Your Mother Did Speak About It?

Some women had mothers who spoke openly about their menopause experience. However, even in these cases, women found that nothing could prepare them for the menopausal period. The founder of a communications company had a taste of what is to come when she went through a medically-induced menopausal period for six months in her mid-30s, as part of her treatment for endometriosis.

Will You Go Through Menopause at the Same Age Your Mum Did?

In about 50 per cent of women, genetic factors play a role in determining when menopause happens. Women whose mothers entered the menopausal period at an early age appear to be at higher risk of early-onset menopause, usually at an age close to when their mothers first started experiencing symptoms. On average, women reach the menopausal period around 50-52 years.

Can Lifestyle and Habits Predict the Age of Onset?

However, the hormonal and biochemical changes in your body can begin as early as 45 or as late as 55. Certain factors can help predict whether a woman menopausal period earlier or later in life.

1. Smoking. Women who smoke 14 or more cigarettes a day, for 10 or more years, menopause two to three years earlier than female non-smokers.
2. Alcohol consumption. Researchers have found that women who do not drink alcohol experience menopause at an earlier age than those who consume alcohol.
3. Having kids. Women who have never had children tend to have an early menopausal period compared to women who do.
4. Lifestyle and diet. Women who consume large amounts of polyunsaturated fats have an earlier onset of a menopausal period. Conversely, a diet high in total calories, fruits and protein delays the onset of a menopausal period.
5. Oral contraceptives. The prevention of ovulation delays the menopausal period, which is why using oral contraceptive pills has been associated with later menopause.
6. Your menstrual cycle. Women with shorter menstrual cycles tend to have early menopause than those with longer cycles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, research indicates a genetic link to menopause; but, predicting how a woman will experience it remains elusive. Each woman may experience different symptoms, start at a different age, and face varying degrees of intensity compared to her mother.

Nevertheless, understanding the factors that can influence the onset of menopause can equip women with knowledge to help them prepare for potential symptoms.

Rather than simply wondering if they will face the same challenges as their mothers, women can plan ahead and work closely with their healthcare providers to make menopause a smoother transition.

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