Middle-aged Woman
An undated photo of a woman undergoing chronic stress Reuters/File

A long-term study on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has established the correlation between CFS and early menopause. The link explains why women, particularly those in their midlife, are likely to experience CFS more often than men. Authors of this study and the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) emphasize the need to consider these findings in health care for women in their 40s who are vulnerable to CFS and various gynecologic problems.

Scientists from the Centers for Disease Control analysed 84 women diagnosed with CFS and 73 other women in good physical health for the study. The participants are from a population-based case-control research in Georgia, USA, which was conducted from 2004 to 2009. The women accomplished inquiry forms about their gynecologic history. Results demonstrate noticeable differences between the two groups. The participants with CFS were a dozen times more susceptible to pelvic pains not associated with menstruation compared to those in the control group. Such pains include painful bladder syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, and irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, those with CFS experienced higher rates of excessive bleeding, frequent bleeding between the menstrual cycles, and more missed monthly periods.

Both groups had hormone treatment, but those with CFS reported taking medication to treat hormone imbalance more often than the individuals without CFS as well. More than 60 percent of the participants with CFS had surgical operations in the reproductive system, usually removal of the uterus known as hysterectomy. Consequently, these women had premature menopause at the age of 45 or earlier due to hysterectomy. Removal of both ovaries causes surgical menopause.

Other studies have demonstrated the correlation of chronic fatigue syndrome with pain in the pelvic area, menstrual irregularities, and certain gynecologic disorders. This recent research, which was published online in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society, shows the association of early menopause to CFS. Authors of this study believe that irregularities in sex hormones and their levels cause these gynecologic conditions, although further studies are need to substantiate this. Findings in this particular research highlight better care for middle-aged women who are experiencing reproductive health problems and symptoms of CFS.

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