Medical profession cares little for women with early onset menopause – The Independent

T

he majority of women experience the menopause during their fifties, and one in every 100 will experience menopause before the age of 40. But who among us would think it could arrive in our thirties. Or our twenties? In truth, as the NHS website explains, premature or early menopause can occur at any age, and in many cases theres no clear cause.

This small, inconspicuous phrase has had astronomical effects on the life of Eleanor Fisher, a programme manager at Staffordshire University. Eleanor is 23 years old and has early onset menopause. After struggling with periods since the age of 18 and several years of visits to doctors and gynaecologists, Eleanor was diagnosed with pregnancy, polycystic ovaries and leukodystrophy all of which proved false.

After a third bout of no-show periods and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone the hormone that instigates the growth of ovarian follicles before the release of an egg) levels off the scale, Eleanor was finally told that she had the menopause. Shes now two months into Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) treatment.

Women are often excluded from clinical trials because testers are afraid their hormones will affect the results

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Eleanor Fisher: Doctors ignore our problems'

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Anna Oldbury: I used to have stomach issues which have gone away, my sex drive hasnt depleted, and I have lots of energy'

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HRT patches can ease the symptoms of menopause

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Emily Barclay: I know of some women who have been told, just have a glass of wine and then youll be able to have sex with your partner

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Clariss Kristjansson: 'There was no give and take, and no support

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Sara Eaton is 59 and has been enduring hot flushes for 15 years

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In Japan, which has a diet rich in fish and soy, only 7 per cent of menopausal women experience hot flushes, as opposed to 46 per cent in the UK

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Medical profession cares little for women with early onset menopause - The Independent