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Women whose periods stop early more likely to develop condition where body attacks itself
Women with a history of certain autoimmune disorders are significantly more likely to have primary ovarian insufficiency, and vice versa, according to a new study.
Periods affect different people in different ways, but they affect about half the worlds population directly. Whether its for demystifying conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or helping people know what period symptoms could be warning signs, periods are worth talking openly and learning about. Scientists just took our collective understanding of them one step further, by finding an association between autoimmune diseases and premature ovarian insufficiency.
Premature ovarian insufficiency is not the same as early menopause
First, it’s important to understand the basics. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), also called primary ovarian insufficiency, is when a womans ovaries stop working as normal before she turns 40. However, the symptoms can start much earlier than that.
Its common for women to start getting irregular periods as they transition to menopause around the age of 40, or in their early 40s. But for women with POI, irregular periods and reduced fertility start much earlier. In some cases, it can start as early as the teenage years, according to MedlinePlus.
POI is not the same as premature menopause. Lots of things can trigger early menopause, including disease, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
With POI, some women still have occasional periods, and they might even get pregnant. In the vast majority of POI cases, the cause is unknown.
Irregular periods and reduced fertility associated with past and future autoimmune diseases
Researchers based in Finland found that women with POI were 2-3 times more likely to have had a previous diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder.
They were also 2-3 times more likely to develop an autoimmune disease at some point in the years following their POI diagnosis.
In other words, people with autoimmune disorders are 2-3 times more highly represented among POI sufferers than among non-POI sufferers.
According to the study, the specific autoimmune disorders POI-diagnosed women are more likely to have had, or to develop, are:
- Polyglandular autoimmune diseases
- Addisons disease
- Vasculitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Hyperthyroidism
On the other hand, there doesnt seem to be an association between POI and type 1 diabetes or ankylosing spondylitis.
Main treatments for POI include hormone replacement therapy and exercise
Currently, there isnt a proven treatment to restore regular function to a womans ovaries, writes MedlinePlus.
However, there are ways of treating the symptoms. There are also things people can do to reduce the risks that relate to the conditions POI causes. They include:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This involves giving the body estrogen and other hormones when the ovaries cant make them.
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements, because women with POI are at higher risk of osteoporosis.
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF). This might be your best bet if you wish to become pregnant and you have POI.
- Keeping fit and eating healthily. These are no-brainers, but giving your body what it needs to function as best it can will always set you up in good stead where your health is concerned.
