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Early Menopause: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45 years.

Up to 12% of women have their final period before they are 45 years of age. This percentage is likely to be higher if we include menopause caused by surgery and cancer treatment.

Causes of Early Menopause:

What causes early menopause?
There are several known causes of early menopause, but sometimes the cause cannot be determined.

Genetics
If there’s no obvious medical reason for early menopause, the cause is likely genetic. Your age at menopause onset is likely inherited.

Knowing when your parents started menopause can provide clues about when you’ll start your own. If your parents started menopause early, you’re more likely than average to do the same.

However, genes tell only half the story.

Lifestyle factors
Some lifestyle factors may have an impact on when you begin menopause. Smoking affects estrogen and can contribute to early menopause.

Some researchTrusted Source suggests that long-term or regular smokers are likely to experience menopause sooner. Women who smoke may start menopause 1 to 2 years earlier than women who don’t smoke.

Body mass index (BMI) can also factor into early menopause. Estrogen is stored in fat tissue. Women who are very thin have fewer estrogen stores, which can be depleted sooner.

Some research also suggests that a vegetarian diet, lack of exercise, and lack of sun exposure throughout your life can all cause an early onset of menopause.

Chromosome issues
Some chromosomal issues can lead to early menopause. For example, Turner syndrome (also called monosomy X and gonadal dysgenesis) involves being born with an incomplete chromosome.

Women with Turner syndrome have ovaries that don’t function as expected. This often causes them to enter menopause prematurely.

Other chromosomal issues can cause early menopause, too. This includes pure gonadal dysgenesis, a variation on Turner syndrome.

In this condition, the ovaries don’t function. Instead, periods and secondary sex characteristics must be brought about by hormone replacement therapy, usually during adolescence.

Women with Fragile X syndrome, or who are genetic carriers of the disease, may also have early menopause. This syndrome is passed down in families.

You can discuss genetic testing options with your doctor if you have premature menopause or if you have family members who had premature menopause.

Autoimmune diseases
Premature menopause can be a symptom of an autoimmune disease, such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes a part of the body for an invader and attacks it. Inflammation caused by some of these diseases can affect the ovaries. Menopause begins when the ovaries stop working.

Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that stems from the brain. Someone with epilepsy is more likely to experience primary ovarian insufficiency, which leads to menopause. Changing hormone levels due to menopause can affect seizures in people with epilepsy.

An older study from 2001 Trusted Source found that in a group of women with epilepsy, about 14 percent of those studied had premature menopause, as opposed to 1 percent of the general population.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Symptoms of premature death are very much the same with those who reach the menopausal stage.. Menopausal symptoms can be more severe after surgery or cancer treatment, due to the sudden change in estrogen levels.

Common symptoms include:

  • hot flushes
  • night sweats
  • sleep problems
  • mood changes
  • brain fog
  • headaches or migraines
  • sore breasts
  • dry vagina
  • reduced sex drive
  • itchy skin
  • aches and pains
  • weight gain, due to a slower metabolism
  • Tiredness.

Early Menopause Management

Hormone-replacement therapy

Supplemental estrogen and progestin can help replace some of the reproductive hormones your body can no longer make on its own. They’re often taken until the average age of menopause (about 50) to manage the uncomfortable symptoms of early menopause.The treatment also helps prevent bone loss and supports heart health.This treatment is not recommended for all women because it can increase the risk of:

  • stroke
  • blood clots
  • breast cancer

Taking Calcium and Vitamin D 

Supplementary calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis if you aren’t getting enough of these nutrients from your diet.Women ages 19 to 50 should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day through food or supplements. Women over age 51 should get 1,200 milligrams per day. A recommended daily amount of vitamin D is around 600 IU/dayTrusted Source. For adult women, most doctors recommend 600-800 IU through food or supplements.

Surgical menopause

Menopause happens with removal of the ovaries, with or without the uterus being removed. This surgery may be necessary due to cancer or other health conditions, such as severe endometriosis.

Risk factors

Risk factors that may lead to POI include:

  • periods starting before 11 years of age
  • family history of premature or early menopause
  • smoking
  • epilepsy
  • previous surgery on your ovaries.

Other risk factors:

  • genetic abnormality – such as Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome
  • autoimmune disorders – such as Addison’s disease, thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease
  • metabolic disorders
  • infection – such as mumps.
  • Diagnosing POI

If you are under 45 years of age and have irregular periods, or they have stopped for more than 3 months, you should see your doctor.

Your doctor may:

  • ask questions about your medical and family history
  • do a physical examination
  • do other tests, such as a pregnancy test, hormone tests and an ultrasound.

After a diagnosis of premature or early menopause

Premature or early menopause can be very upsetting. It’s normal to feel a sense of loss, sadness and grief. You may also have mixed feelings about your body image, fertility, femininity and sexuality. Psychological counseling and support groups can provide support. If you feel very emotional, anxious or depressed after your diagnosis, it’s important to talk to someone. Your doctor can refer you to a psychologist if needed. If you are diagnosed with a genetic condition that caused your premature or early menopause, it might be helpful to speak to a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors are health professionals qualified in counseling and genetics. They can help you understand the condition, what causes it, how it is inherited (if it is) and how it may impact your health.


Conclusion:

Early menopause poses unique challenges for women, both physically and emotionally. Understanding the causes, recognizing symptoms, and exploring treatment options empower individuals to navigate this phase of life more effectively. It is crucial for women experiencing early menopause to seek support from healthcare professionals and explore personalized approaches to manage symptoms and promote overall well-being. Embracing this journey with knowledge and proactive health measures can contribute to a healthier and fulfilling life beyond early menopause.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/dealing-early#treatment

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/causes-early#reversal

https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-or-premature-menopause

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/dealing-early#treatment

https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/causes-early#reversal

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/premature-and-early-menopause#what-is-early-menopause

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