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Early Menopause Signs and Symptoms

Premature menopause is the complete cessation of the menstrual period in women younger than 40. The signs and symptoms of premature menopause are the same as regular-onset menopause (hot flashes, tiredness and irregular periods, to name a few). The hormonal changes and effects of those changes associated with this early menopause can be particularly distressing --emotionally and physically-- for young women.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of premature menopause include all the typical menopause symptoms--hot flashes, mood swings, hair thinning, skin changes (dryness, for example), irregular periods, heavier periods, spotting, tiredness and vaginal changes. Heart palpitations, dizziness, bouts of mind fog (temporary loss of mental acuity) and depression are also common.

    Identification

    • Premature menopause should be differentiated from perimenopause. Perimenopause is the natural progression of menopause which usually lasts several years as hormonal changes gradually take place. According to the National Women's Health Information Center, menopause is not officially menopause until you have been period-free for a full twelve months. During perimenopause, your periods may change, becoming irregular, lighter or heavier due to hormone changes, but you will still have them. This phase begins when a woman is in her forties or fifties, usually (but it can also start in the thirties).

    Time Frame

    • Menopausal symptoms can last several years before a woman's period finally stops completely. The complete cessation of menstrual periods may occur when a woman is in her late forties or fifties, though experiencing this at a later age is not necessarily rare. According to the National Institutes of Health, if menopause occurs before age 40, it is considered premature. As with normal menopause, premature menopause symptoms may be mild at first, until estrogen levels decrease more significantly.

    Treatment

    • Hormone therapy is standard for women experiencing premature menopause. Hormone therapy can relieve some of the symptoms and prevent some adverse effects of lowered estrogen levels--according to the Mayo clinic, adverse effects of lowered estrogen levels include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
      In addition, if a woman has undergone premature menopause and still wishes to try for a baby via in-vitro fertilization, hormone therapy is necessary to increase chances she'll carry to term.

    Considerations

    • Other conditions can cause hormone imbalance and can be mistaken for premature menopause. Don't hesitate to contact your gynecologist or family physician if you are experiencing symptoms of hormonal changes. Often, through only a few simple tests, an accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment, can be given.

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