City gynacs say number of cases is rising rapidly

LIFESTYLE and eating habits of the city's women is of rising concern say some gynaecologists and may lead to early menopause or premature ovarian failure (POF).u00a0

Dr Anita Abhijeet Soni, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Hiranandani Hospital, said, "Earlier, I'd come across only one case of premature menopause a year, but in the past few years I have had around one or two a month. The exact reason can't be pinpointed scientifically. People have theories on IVF, contraceptive pills and the immune system going against the ovaries. Anyone who has irregular periods or is facing difficulty in conceiving below the age of 40, should get themselves checked for the disease."

Causes
Dr Rishma Dhillon Pai, consultant gynaecologist at Lilavati and Jaslok hospitals said, "My youngest patient with premature menopause was 20. Most cases are genetic, while some suffer from autoimmune disorder, that is the body's immune system destroys the ovaries. Even the use of chemicals in fruits and vegetable, which influence hormones, may lead to early menopause. Chocolate cysts which are blood accumulating in the ovaries called endometriosis affecting 20 to 25 per cent women could also lead to the destruction of ovaries."

Talking about the lifestyle of most urban women, Dr Pai further said, "Smoking also alters hormones and as more young girls take to smoking, the issue may get graver. Any kind of drug or alcohol abuse could contribute to the disorder."

However, Dr Mansukhani who has been a practising obstetrician and gynaecologist for the last 30 years with Jaslok Hospital doesn't believe that there is an alarming increase of cases. She said, "People who are overweight may suffer from scanty periods that could develop into early menopause."

Some doctors believe that chemotherapy for reproductive system cancers can cause ovarian damage immediately or after several months.