Early menopause is when a woman’s periods cease before the age of 45. It may occur on its own or as an unintended consequence of receiving certain therapies.
The menopause typically begins somewhere between the ages of 45 and 55 for most people.
If you are under the age of 45 and have discovered that your periods have become rare or have stopped entirely, you should see a general practitioner.
The factors that lead to an early menopause
- The function of the ovaries is terminated.
A woman’s ovaries might experience a natural early menopause if they cease producing normal amounts of certain hormones, notably the hormone oestrogen. This is the most common cause of early menopause.
This condition is sometimes referred to as primary ovarian insufficiency or, occasionally, premature ovarian failure.
It is common for the reason of premature ovarian failure to remain unclear; nevertheless, the following may put certain women at risk for developing the condition:
- Anomalies of the chromosomes, such as those seen in women affected with Turner syndrome
- An autoimmune illness is a condition in which the body’s immune system begins to assault healthy bodily tissues.
- A few illnesses, including TB, malaria, and mumps, however this is a very uncommon occurrence.
Premature ovarian failure may occasionally run in families. If any of your ancestors went through menopause at a very young age, this might be the case for you as well (20s or early 30s).
2.The treatment of cancer
Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy have been linked to ovarian failure in patients at an earlier stage. This might be a temporary or permanent situation.
Your chances of experiencing an early menopause will be determined by the following factors:
your age; younger women, whose bodies have not yet undergone the changes brought on by puberty, are more able to withstand vigorous therapy.
the kind of therapy that is provided for you – It’s possible that various kinds of chemotherapy will have varied effects on the ovaries.
where on your body the radiation treatment will be concentrated – If you get radiation treatment near your brain or pelvis, you have a greater chance of having menopausal symptoms appear earlier than normal.
3. Surgical removal of the patient’s ovaries
The premature or early onset of menopause is another side effect of having both ovaries surgically removed.
During a hysterectomy, the patient’s ovaries, for instance, may need to be surgically removed (an operation to remove the womb).
Signs and symptoms of early menopause
Infrequent or absent menstruation, which is not caused by any other medical condition, is the primary indicator of an early onset of menopause (such as pregnancy).
Additionally, some women may have additional common menopausal symptoms, such as the following:
- Flashes of heat
- Night sweats
- Irritation and dryness of the vaginal tissue during sexual activity
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Poor mental state or anxiousness
- Decreased sexual desire (libido)
- Issues with one’s memory and ability to concentrate
Because their estrogen hormone levels are lower, women who go through early menopause have an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. This risk is compounded by the fact that these women also experience menopause earlier.
The diagnosis of early menopause
Your general practitioner (GP) should be able to diagnose early menopause based on the symptoms you’re experiencing, the medical history of your family, and the results of blood tests that evaluate your hormone levels.
It is possible that you may be sent to a specialist.
Early Menopause Treatment options
The combination contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often recommended as the primary therapeutic option for women experiencing early menopause.
To provide you some protection against osteoporosis and other diseases that might arise after the menopause, your primary care physician will probably prescribe that you continue to take this therapy until at least the age of the natural menopause, which occurs around the age of 51 on average.
It is possible that you will not be able to get hormonal therapy if you have previously been diagnosed with certain forms of cancer, including certain subtypes of breast cancer.
Your primary care physician will have a conversation with you about alternative treatment choices as well as adjustments to your lifestyle that you may make to help safeguard your health.
If you are still experiencing symptoms after seeing a general practitioner, they may suggest that you see a menopausal centre instead, where you will be seen by a gynaecologist.
Getting help
Going through the changes associated with menopause at an earlier age may be challenging and stressful.
Your capacity to bear children naturally may be affected if you enter menopause early and permanently.
It is possible that you will still be able to have children if you undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and use the eggs of another woman or your own eggs if you have any saved away. It’s also possible that you may choose to have a child via surrogacy or adoption.
Counseling and support groups could be useful in this situation.
You may want to give some of these a shot:
- A support network for women who experience early ovarian failure is known as the Daisy Network.
- healthtalk.org is a resource that offers information on early menopause, including the perspectives of women who have gone through the transition themselves.
- Fertility Friends is a social support group for those who are struggling with infertility.
- The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is a government organisation that offers advice and information on all forms of reproductive therapy.
To Summarize:
Menopause that begins before it is often anticipated to is referred to as premature or early menopause. Around the age of 51, the majority of women and persons who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) experience menopause. This occurs in women with early menopause before the age of 40. Menopause that occurs before the age of 45 is referred to as early menopause. If you are under the age of 45 and are experiencing symptoms of menopause such as irregular periods, spotting in between cycles, hot flashes, or vaginal dryness, you should see a healthcare specialist. In order to assist in the diagnosis of these disorders, your physician may request blood work and discuss your medical history with you. There is treatment available that might provide you with relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause
