The beginning of menstruation (also known as menarche) and the end of menstruation (also known as menopause) are considered to be two major landmarks in a woman’s sexual and reproductive health. Both have the capacity to change not only your quality of health and life, but also make women susceptible to physical and mental health issues owing to the changes. But, what happens when these changes occur earlier than they’re supposed to?
Globally, premature or early menopause is believed to affect around one per cent of women. But a study published in the journal Health and Social Work in 2017 suggests that when it comes to Indian women, the percentage of premature menopause is quite high: 5.5 per cent! The study also highlights that the percentage of women dealing with this phenomenon is highest in Andhra Pradesh, with a whopping 14.6 per cent of women suffering from this issue.
Clearly, we need to pay urgent attention to why premature menopause is gaining such a foothold in India, and is affecting Indian women more than ever before. We talked to Dr Asha Dalal, director of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, about the issue. Here’s everything you need to know.