Risks Associated With Early Menopause

The average age for menopause is 51 years of age. However, age ranges vary. Early menopause is considered to be menopause that begins at or before 40 years of age. A woman is considered to be menopausal when she has not had menstrual periods for a period of 12 months or more. Usually, a woman goes through a long period of perimenopause before she becomes menopausal, early menopause can be brought on suddenly by surgery or medical treatment. There are many different potential risks associated with early menopause.

Heart Disease, Stroke or Heart Attack

• Normally, women have a lower risk of heart attack then men. Although the exact reasons for this are not fully understood, many doctors believe it is due to estrogen levels in the body. When estrogen levels drop as a result of menopause, a woman's risk increases to equal that of a man's. Thus, women who undergo early menopause have increased risk of heart attack, heart disease or strokes. A woman who undergoes early menopause may have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions than an older women who is still pre-menopausal. Furthermore, a woman who enters menopause early may have a higher risk than a post-menopausal woman who did not enter menopause until after age 40 because the woman who undergoes early menopause has a shorter period of time when her body is producing high levels of estrogen.

Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis refers to the weakening of bones. Women with osteoporosis are more likely to have painful bone fractures or breaks, especially of the hips. Estrogen helps to protect against bone loss, and thus prevent osteoporosis. Women who undergo early menopause are at an increased risk of osteoporosis because they have a longer period of time when their bodies are not producing sufficient levels of estrogen. As a result, they are at an even greater risk than women who enter menopause at an older age.

Gum Disease and Tooth Loss

• The same estrogen deficiency which causes an increased risk of osteoporosis can also lead to reduced bone mineral density in the alveolar bone. This bone helps to hold teeth in place. If this bone becomes weak, and/or other bones in the mouth are not as strong due to reduced levels of estrogen in the body, women are more likely to lose teeth and/or suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. This increased risk of gum disease is present in all menopausal women, but is worse in women who go through menopause early.

Other Risks

• Cataracts may also be a risk of early menopause. Cataracts are abnormal growths in the eye, which may eventually blur or cloud vision.

  Finally, a woman undergoing early menopause experiences many or all of the same symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, irritability and mood swings, possible pain during sex, a reduced sex drive and infertility.

Hormone Therapy

• The vast majority of risks associated with early menopause result from the lower levels of estrogen in the body. Thus, hormone therapy may be advisable for women undergoing early menopause. The hormone therapy- usually in the form of estrogen and progesterone supplements- will not reverse the early menopause, but will help supplement estrogen in the body. Although this may be useful in reducing some of these risk, there are also risks associated with estrogen therapy, including the increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancers. These risks must be weighed carefully with the guidance of a physician.