women s health issues
Premature Menopause
Treatment of Premature Menopause
Combination oral contraceptives (estrogen and a progestin) or menopausal hormone therapy If pregnancy is desired, in vitro fertilization If a woman with premature menopause does not wish to become pregnant, she is given one of the following: Birth control pills or a Skin patches that contains estrogen and a progestin (combination oral contraceptives) Hormone Therapy for Menopause (also called hormone replacement therapy) that contains a estrogen and a progestin (a synthetic form of the female hormone These treatments are typically taken until about age 51 (the average age for menopause). Then, doctors decide whether to continue the treatments based on a woman's individual circumstances. Estrogen therapy helps relieve symptoms and helps prevent other effects of menopause (such as vaginal dryness, and mood swings). It also helps maintain bone density (to prevent osteoporosis). Because takingestrogenalone increases the risk of cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer), most women should also take a progestin orprogesteronewith theestrogento help protect against this cancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) do not need to take a progestin orprogesterone. If a woman with premature menopause wishes to become pregnant, doctors may recommend Assisted Reproductive Technologies using another woman’s eggs (donor eggs). These eggs are implanted in the uterus after they have been fertilized in the laboratory. This technique gives women with premature menopause about a 50% chance (sometimes even higher) of becoming pregnant. Otherwise the chance of becoming pregnant is about 5 to 10%. 