Premature & Early Menopause: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & What to Do Next

TL;DR

• Menopause happening between 45 and 55 years is natural. But when it sets in earlier, you might feel confused, concerned, or overwhelmed. To navigate this life change with confidence, it’s important to have clarity on the causes, signs, treatment options, and next steps.
• Menopause is called premature when it occurs before 40 and early when it sets in before 45. Levels of reproductive hormones dip and you ultimately stop menstruating.
• Common causes include genetic factors, chromosomal conditions, smoking, autoimmune disorders, and certain medical treatments.
• Usual signs include irregular or missed periods, low libido, vaginal dryness, mood changes, disturbed sleep, hot flashes, dry skin, etc.
• Emotional impact might include shock, anxiety about long-term health, and grief over fertility change. Physically, the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis might elevate.
• Common treatment options encompass HRT, non-hormonal medications, calcium and vitamin D supplements, and lifestyle changes.
• Next steps you can take: Build a personalized care plan with your doctor, track vital health parameters, get emotional support, and explore options in fertility if you want to have children.

Comprehensive Guide to Handling Premature and Early Menopause

Hitting menopause between 45 and 55 years isn’t surprising since it’s the typical age range for this natural change in life. However, premature and early menopause (before 40 and 45 respectively) can feel unexpected or concerning. In the USA, around 5% women go through this experience. And when menopause comes knocking much earlier than expected, it can affect your physical and emotional well-being besides fertility plans.

There’s no reason to lose heart though. The right knowledge and necessary support help in navigating premature or early menopause smoothly. In fact, at Almara, we have been helping women understand associated symptoms and possible causes since the 1950s. Our doctors are adept at devising personalized care plans and treatments too.

Also, if you suspect that you are starting premature or early menopause, go through this guide before consulting a gynecologist.

Understanding Premature and Early Menopause

While early menopause happens between 40 and 45 years of age, premature menopause occurs even before a woman hits 40. In both scenarios, your ovaries stop working earlier than expected or usual. The level of reproductive hormones declines, leading to the end of menstrual cycles ultimately. 

Also remember that natural menopause generally occurs in a gradual manner. Premature and early menopause can happen abruptly though, especially if the reason is an underlying condition or a medical treatment.

Premature and Early Menopause: Key Causes

Understanding why menopause sometimes happens prematurely or early on can help you get a better idea of what’s going on in your body:

Genetic Factors

Your risk of going through an early or premature menopause depends a lot on your family history. For instance, the risk is high if your mother or sister had an early menopause.

Autoimmune Diseases

Certain autoimmune conditions trigger your body to attack ovarian tissues by mistake. This reduces the production of reproductive hormones.

Chromosomal Conditions

Turner syndrome (where one of the X chromosomes is partially or completely missing) or similar genetic conditions might impact the development and functioning of the ovaries.

Medical Treatments

Certain treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, or removal of ovaries via surgery might lead to menopause earlier than usual.

Lifestyle Factors

Women who smoke are more likely to experience menopause early on since the habit causes estrogen levels to decline.

Common Symptoms of Early Menopause

The signs of early menopause often mimic those of typical menopause. However, they crop up unexpectedly or feel more intense. So, watch out for:

Irregular or Missed Periods

A gap of more than 35 days or less than 21 days between periods is often an early indicator that there’s a change in your hormone levels. Missing periods is another common sign.

Dry Vagina

A dip in the estrogen level can make your vagina feel dry. Intercourse might feel uncomfortable as a result.

Reduced Libido

Your sexual desire might take a hit because of hormonal shifts. You might not feel the usual urge to be intimate.

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

You might feel hot in sudden waves in case of premature and early menopause. It might also be accompanied by flushing and sweating.

Changes in Mood

Feeling low, anxious, or irritable is one of the common symptoms of early menopause.

Disturbed Sleep

It might be difficult to fall or stay asleep when going through premature or early menopause.

Other Signs

Some women have trouble concentrating when going through early menopause. It’s often described as brain fog. Changes in weight, dry skin, and thinning hair are some other signs you might notice. It’s also common to face conception difficulties.

Premature and Early Menopause: Decoding the Impact

Going through menopause earlier than expected usually impacts women in the following ways:

Emotionally

It’s natural to feel shocked or take a while to process the change, for starters. You might also be worried about the impact on your overall health in the long run. If you were planning on having kids, the sudden change in fertility can make you upset. So, getting emotional support is important.

Health-Wise

A fall in estrogen levels often increases the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. Some women experience cognitive changes too. Proactive management helps though.

Ways to Treat Premature and Early Menopause

Early menopause is generally diagnosed via blood tests (for estrogen, FSH), thyroid function tests, and an evaluation of your family and medical history. If your FSH levels are high and you haven’t menstruated for 12 consecutive months, the diagnosis is confirmed.

And though there’s no way to reverse menopause, associated symptoms and risks can be managed via:

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

One of the most common treatments, HRT helps protect heart and bone health. It also addresses vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Medications (Non-Hormonal)

In case you are not a suitable candidate for HRT, the doctor might recommend alternative medicines that help manage sleep disturbances and mood shifts.

Vitamin D and Calcium

Doctors often prescribe supplements to strengthen your bone health if menopause sets in too early. They might also advise you to consume foods rich in vitamin D and calcium like oily fish, fortified cereals, eggs, dairy products, and leafy green veggies.

Lifestyle Changes

Adopting healthy habits can help you manage early menopause symptoms. So, consume balanced meals, exercise on a regular basis, and regulate stress with yoga, meditation or deep breathing. Make sure you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep.

Steps to Take After Being Diagnosed with Early Menopause

While finding out you have hit early menopause can feel overwhelming, adopting the right approach can help you handle symptoms, boost physical health and live a fulfilling life. Consider taking these steps:

Create a Healthcare Plan

Partner with a gynecologist who understands your situation, concerns, needs and goals to put together a healthcare plan that’s personalized. It might encompass lifestyle changes, medications or HRT.

Track Important Health Parameters

Get your heart health and bone density screened regularly along with any other tests the doctor might suggest. This will help in detecting any issues early on and treating them effectively.

Get Emotional Support

Talk about what you are feeling with your partner, trusted friends or loved ones. You can also seek emotional support from a therapist, healthcare provider or a support group.

Explore Fertility Options

If you intend to have children despite the onset of early menopause, discuss possible fertility options with your gynecologist. Assisted reproductive technologies or egg donation might be suggested to you, for instance.

Don’t Let Premature and Early Menopause Define Your Life

Here’s what we have learnt from serving over 45,000 women every year – premature or early menopause can be an intensely personal and sometimes complicated experience. However, staying informed about why it might be happening, understanding your body’s signals, and exploring possible ways to manage the same. Since early awareness and support matters, connect with a healthcare provider the moment you sense something unusual.

Handle Early or Premature Menopause Confidently with Almara Clinic

The 100% board-certified doctors at our menopause clinic help you understand the causes, symptoms and risks of what you are going through with empathy and personalized attention. They debunk misconceptions and help in managing every aspect of your overall well-being in the coming years – from heart, bone, and breast to uterine, sexual, and mental health.

So, if you are under 45 and suspect something is off or don’t feel like your usual self, pop into one of our 11 clinics in the Twin Cities. To find out which one’s closest, get in touch. Alternatively, email at info@helloalmara.com.

FAQs