Though most women enter menopause somewhere between their mid-40s and mid-50s, some don’t experience this change until quite a few years later. There are many possible reasons late-onset menopause occurs, and here are some of the top causes.
1. Obesity
According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, late-onset menopause is common among obese women because fat produces estrogen and alters hormone levels. Women should strive to lower their body mass index (BMI) to less than 30 through a combination of healthy diet and exercise. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered ideal and is associated with a longer life span and a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions.
Seniors living with serious health conditions often need extensive assistance in and outside the home. Home Care Assistance is a trusted provider of Montgomery live-in care. Our caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and various other daily tasks, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
2. Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland regulates overall metabolism. Thyroid disorders can disrupt the timing of menopause and even mimic menopausal symptoms, including mood swings, hot flashes, and weight gain. Women who experience menopausal symptoms but continue to have regular menstrual cycles should consult their doctors. A doctor can perform various tests to determine if the delay in menopause is due to a reproductive issue or a thyroid disorder and recommend the appropriate therapy.
Menopause reduces the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious complications. In Montgomery, in-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Genetics
According to a 2001 study conducted by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, the age a woman goes through menopause is 85 percent based on genetics. This means a woman is more likely to experience late-onset menopause if her mother also entered menopause later in life. The team that conducted the study hopes to eventually isolate the genes that determine the timing of menopause, which will allow women to take DNA tests to predict their age at menopause.
4. Late Pregnancy
A woman isn’t considered to be in menopause until she has gone a full 12 months without a period. Women can become pregnant in their early 50s if they’re still experiencing irregular menstrual cycles as part of perimenopause. Although rare, getting pregnant this late in life can have a significant impact on hormone levels and delay the onset of menopause.
If your loved one needs help managing her health after going through menopause, help is available. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To create a customized care plan for your loved one, call us at (334) 593-3988 today.