What You Need to Know About Early Menopause

Think you could be going through perimenopause—the transition to menopause—earlier than normal? Learn what to expect.     

Most women reach menopause—when 12 months have passed without a menstrual period—in their late 40s or early 50s; the average age is 52. Some women, however, experience menopause earlier. Menopause that occurs between ages 40 and 45 is called early menopause, according to the Office on Women’s Health, while menopause before age 40 is referred to as premature menopause.

Why Does Early Menopause Occur?

Pinpointing the reason for premature or early menopause can be tricky because it has so many possible causes. You’re more likely to reach menopause early if a family member did. Surgical removal of the uterus can lead to premature or early menopause while surgical removal of the ovaries will lead to it. Other causes include:

• Certain genetic conditions
• Chemotherapy or radiation cancer treatment
• HIV/AIDS
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Smoking
• Thyroid disease

Suspect Early Menopause? Don’t Stay Silent

How do you know whether you’ve reached early menopause or have started the transition to menopause early? The biggest clue is a 12-month absence of menstrual periods. If that’s the case, you’ve reached menopause. If you’re still having periods but are experiencing menopause-like symptoms, you may have entered perimenopause. Women in perimenopause may miss periods for one or more months, then have one or more periods again.

Many women who experience early menopause have symptoms that are similar to those of women who enter perimenopause or menopause on a more typical timeline. Comparatively, however, women who reach menopause early may have more severe symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Difficulty sleeping
• Hot flashes
• Irregular periods
• Urinary incontinence
• Vaginal dryness

If you think you have experienced early menopause or have started perimenopause early, it’s important to speak with your gynecologist. That’s because:

• Your gynecologist can recommend treatments to help you manage symptoms.
• Your gynecologist can advise you about your birth control options if you are in perimenopause.
• If you experience early menopause, you may have a higher risk for heart disease and osteoporosis than other women, and your gynecologist can tell you how to reduce your risk.
• Your gynecologist may be able to identify the cause of early menopause, which is important in case it is due to an undiagnosed condition, such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Sources: acog.org, cancer.gov, medlineplus.gov, menopause.org, womenshealth.gov