Menopause is a natural biological process that physically marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. Typically, this occurs for women between the ages of 45 and 55, but when menopause happens before the age of 40, it is labeled as “early menopause.”1
Early menopause—also known as premature menopause – is the experience of menstrual periods completely ending before you hit the age of 40. It occurs when the ovaries completely stop producing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone earlier than usual.2 This can happen naturally, but it can also happen as a result of medical treatments or conditions.
While this isn’t a super common topic of discussion—even in the medical world—it’s important to understand the causes, symptoms and impact that early menopause can have on your body. That’s why we created this guide that covers everything you need to know.
Causes of Early Menopause
- Genetics – A family history of early menopause can increase the likelihood of experiencing it yourself.
- Autoimmune Diseases – Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease can cause the immune system to attack the ovaries, which can lead to early menopause.3
- Medical Treatments – Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer can damage the ovaries and induce early menopause.
- Surgery – Removing the ovaries in an oophorectomy or removing the uterus in a hysterectomy can trigger early menopause.
- Lifestyle Factors – Smoking, experiencing high stress levels, and having poor nutrition can contribute to early menopause.
- Chromosomal Abnormalities – Conditions such as Turner Syndrome can cause premature ovarian failure, which results in early menopause.4
Symptoms of Early Menopause
Early menopause symptoms are similar to symptoms you might experience during regular menopause, but they pop up at a younger age. Here’s what it might look like:
- Irregular Periods: Menstrual cycles may become very unpredictable and hard to track or they could completely stop altogether.5
- Hot Flashes: Sudden feelings of warmth that spread across the body might occur, and this is often accompanied by sweating.
- Night Sweats: Severe hot flashes might become a common occurrence during the night, and this often disrupts sleep.
- Mood Changes: Changes in mood can be common during menopause, and that often shows up as Increased anxiety, feelings of depression, or experiencing mood swings.
- Vaginal Dryness: A decrease in estrogen levels—which is part of the menopause process—can lead to vaginal dryness, discomfort and painful experiences during intercourse.
- Decreased Libido: A reduced sex drive or difficulty in experiencing arousal might become the new normal during early menopause.
- Sleep Disturbances: Disturbed sleep—which could include difficulty both falling and staying asleep—is a common sign of menopause.
- Shifts in Cognition: Increased brain fog, memory lapses or difficulty concentrating might begin to feel more common.
Diagnosing Early Menopause
If you feel like you might be experiencing early menopause, it's important to consult your trusted healthcare provider. Diagnosing early menopause typically involves the following:
- Medical History Review: Assessing your current symptoms and looking at your family history.
- Blood Tests: Measuring hormone levels, including the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol.
- Thyroid Function Tests: Checking for thyroid disorders that might be affecting your menstrual cycles.6
- Pelvic Exam and Ultrasound: Examining and evaluating your reproductive organs.
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Managing Early Menopause
While early menopause is something that can’t be reversed, there is a way to effectively manage the symptoms. Here are some strategies that can help:
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Helps replenish declining hormone levels and alleviate symptoms.7
- Changing Your Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can improve overall well-being.
- Managing Stress: Stress management techniques like yoga, meditation and practicing deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress and lessen the intensity of symptoms.
- Taking Supplements: Integrate supplements into your daily routine. This is particularly important since early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis.
- Regularly Scheduled Check-Ups: Continue to monitor your health with regular visits to your doctor.
Early menopause is a significant health issue that affects many women around the world, and it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. While staying in touch with healthcare providers is important, also be sure to lean on your personal community for support and emotional guidance.
References:
- Cleveland Clinic
- Yale Medicine
- National Library of Medicine
- National Institute of Health
- Mayo Clinic
- British Thyroid Foundation
- Cleveland Clinic
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
