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Early Menopause Information

According to Americanpregnancy.org, one in every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 29, and one in every 100 women between the ages of 30 and 39, are affected by early menopause, also known as premature menopause. Menopause in the United States usually starts between the ages of 45 to 55, with perimenopause (menopause transition) starting in the late 30s or early 40s. Early menopause is menopause that starts before the age of 40.

  1. What is Early Menopause?

    • Normally, before a woman begins menopause, she goes through a stage of transitioning called perimenopause, which lasts about two to eight years. In perimenopause levels of the hormone responsible for proper ovarian functioning, estrogen, start to gradually decrease. Once the levels are low enough, a woman will no longer ovulate, and menstrual cycles will end, which is known as menopause. Premature menopause begins without the stage of transitioning, going straight from menstruation to menopause.

    Symptoms

    • The symptoms of premature menopause are the same as the symptoms of menopause. They may come on all at once, or gradually over time. Symptoms include irregular menstrual cycle (if premature menopause was not due to a surgical operation); no menstrual cycle; hot flashes; night sweats; decrease in sex drive; irritability; vaginal dryness and thinning; and painful sex.

    Causes

    • Women who have diseases that stop the ovaries from functioning, or women who have undergone chemotgherapy or radiotherapy, may experience menopause prematurely. In addition, women who have had a hysterectomy, or a surgical procedure where both ovaries were removed, will begin menopause early. Other causes include genetics, autoimmune disorders, Turner syndrome, viral infections and eating disorders.

    Treatments

    • Menopause can be treated but not reversed. There are treatment options for emotional issues, as well as the symptoms of premature menopause. One treatment given to menopausal women is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This replaces the levels or estrogen depleted during menopause. According to Mayoclinic.com, HRT remains the most effective treatment option for relieving hot flashes. Other treatments include low-dose antidepressants; Gabapentin (Neurotin) and Clonidine (Catapres) for the treatment of hot flashes; and vaginal estrogen to relieve dryness.

    Special Note

    • Some women experience bleeding during menopause, and this includes premature menopause. Most cases of bleeding are benign, but all cases must be investigated by your physician to be certain. Some causes of bleeding during premature menopause include vaginal dryness, uterine atrophy, uterine polyps and ovarian cysts.

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