Link: Menopause symptoms correlate strongly with childhood trauma

[sonia]

Why do some women have severe symptoms during their menopause transition while others do not? by Dr. Jen Gunter.

Women with 4 or more ACEs [Adverse Childhood Experiences] were more likely to experience depression during their menopause transition or after their final period. This study also looked at menopause related symptoms, such as hot flushes, sleep disturbance, mental exhaustion, joint discomfort, bladder issues, and vaginal discomfort. Women with 4 or more ACEs were much more likely to have severe menopausal symptoms, be they related to the whole body (such as hot flushes or joint pain), or specific to the reproductive tract (bladder or vagina).

I knew that childhood abuse, abandonment, etc. profoundly affect a person's health, but I didn't specifically think about its possible effect on menopause symptoms. I guess dysregulation affects EVERYTHING.

My period is starting to stutter, with some delightful 6-10 week gaps, and then the more recent not quite stopping for a month and counting. *sigh* My doctor says I'm already doing all the things that are supposed to help with menopause symptoms, like not drinking coffee or alcohol, exercising, etc.

So far I'm not having noticeable hot flashes. The phrase in the article that makes me sit up and take notice is joint pain. I do have that, a lot of it, and escalating over time. No one ever mentioned it could be a menopause symptom. Might be useful to know for my clients, too.

Comments

[minoanmiss]

this explains an annoying amount.

[sonia]

My sympathies!

[silveradept]

That is an interesting correlation, and I hope they can continue studying it to see how strong the correlation is.

[sonia]

I'm already surprised they were studying menopause at all. Go them!

The original ACE study found the correlation between ACES and poor health outcomes was "as strong as the correlation between unprotected sex and pregnancy." It's an amazing study.