The doc Replies

Our expert answers your medical questions

What is early menopause and what are the causes and symptoms?

Early menopause is when periods stop before the age of 45, as most people start menopause between 45 and 55.

It can happen when the ovaries simply stop working, known as primary ovarian insufficiency. We do not always know why this should happen, but it can run in families and can rarely occur after certain infections. The ovaries can also stop working as a result of cancer treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If your ovaries are removed during surgery, that will induce menopause, too.

We would recommend someone with early menopause take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as they have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Some women are concerned HRT increases breast cancer risk; however, the risk of lowers with early menopause.

When you take HRT, it brings you back to the normal breast cancer risk if you were still menstruating. We do not start counting the increased risk of HRT and breast cancer until the patient is at normal menopause age.

I am healthy but have thought about supplements to give me a boost. What should I take?

If you are generally healthy you do not need to take supplements.

It is better to do regular exercise and have a balanced diet. Also, high stress levels are a common cause of fatigue so ensure that you are getting enough sleep.

One vitamin everyone in Scotland should take between October and March is vitamin D as we do not get enough sunlight during winter.

What is rosacea, how do I treat it?

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition which mainly affects the face. Symptoms are intermittent redness across the nose, cheeks and forehead and small red bumps.

It can also cause a burning feeling and blepharitis, which causes sore eyelids. Eventually you develop some thickening of the skin, mainly on the nose.

Treatment includes gels, creams and antibiotics, but you should also wear sunscreen every day, try not to overheat, and cover your face in the cold. Spicy foods, alcohol and stress can all aggravate it, too.

The Doc Replies

The Sunday Post, Speirs View, 50 High Craighall Road, Glasgow G4 9UD or email us at doc@sundaypost.com