Though women typically go through menopause between age 45 and 55, there’s no guarantee they’ll enter this stage within the average age range. In fact, many women experience menopause years after they turn 55. Here are some of the common causes of late-onset menopause.
1. Obesity
Many women are susceptible to late-onset menopause due to being overweight. The excess weight causes menstrual cycles to shift and leads older women to produce more hormones. When the extra fat in the body produces more estrogen and progesterone, menopause is often delayed. Your loved one will need to exercise on a regular basis and eat a well-balanced diet to remain physically fit, which can reduce her risk of late-onset menopause.
2. Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism, and a malfunctioning thyroid can have multiple effects on a woman’s reproductive system, including menopause. The thyroid gland also secretes several hormones, which can delay the onset of menopause.
To prevent late-onset menopause, your loved one will need to keep her thyroid gland healthy, which she can do by eating fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and avoiding refined and processed foods, such as instant oatmeal, packaged meats, pasta, bread, cookies, and cakes. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products can also lead to thyroid disorders and late-onset menopause.
If your loved one needs help managing her health after going through menopause, assistance is available. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care Reston to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
3. Genetics & Geography
Many women have a genetic predisposition to late-onset menopause. If a woman goes through menopause late, the chances of her female children having late-onset menopause are extremely high.
Geography and culture can also cause women to experience menopause late. For instance, women who live in lower-altitude regions are more likely to enter menopause later than those at high altitudes, though the reasons for this are still being researched.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of homecare. Reston Assisting Hands Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
4. High Estrogen Levels
Aging leads to a reduction in estrogen levels for most women. However, the body can still continue to produce high levels of estrogen regardless of age, leading to late-onset menopause. A hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body is the cause of menopause, and estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that enable menstruation and pregnancy. Your loved one can reduce excess estrogen levels by:
- Changing her diet
- Reducing antibiotic medications
- Using safe household cleaners
- Avoiding plastics
- Staying away from hormone-laden animal products
Menopause reduces the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious complications. In Reston, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care Reston, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at 703-556-8983 today.