Early menopause
Menopause often strikes most women aging between 45 and 55. Generally, the average age of menopause onset across the world is 51 years old. Early menopause is thus defined as the onset of menopause before the age of 45.
When the ovaries cease producing eggs, it results in low estrogen levels; hence the menopause stage begins. Estrogen refers to the hormone that regulates a woman’s menstrual cycle. When a woman has not had a monthly period in over a year, she is considered to be in menopause.
Early menopause can be caused by anything that destroys or harms the ovaries or inhibits estrogen production. This can include cancer treatment (chemotherapy) or an oophorectomy (ovaries removal).
Signs and Symptoms of Early Menopause
Early menopause can start immediately you begin experiencing irregular menstrual periods or periods which are notably shorter or longer than usual. Other early menopause signs and symptoms include;
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Spotting
- Menstruation that persists longer than one week
- Having a longer period in between periods
If you notice any of these, consult your doctor or gynecologist to rule out any other potential causes of the symptoms.
Other prevalent symptoms that may indicate early menopause include:
- Fluctuations in mood
- Alterations in sexual desire or feelings
- Dryness of the vaginal canal
- Sleeping problems
- Bursts of heat
- Sweating during night
- Bladder control problems
Causes of Early Menopause
Early menopause can begin due to a medical problem or a therapy, or it might occur for no apparent reason (spontaneous). Some of the potential factors that can trigger or cause early menopause include;
- Genetics
If there isn't a clear medical reason for early menopause, it's most likely because of genetics. Menopause onset age is most often inheritable. Therefore, understanding when your mother went through menopause can help you predict when you will go through it. The chances that you will start menopause earlier if your mother did are above average. Genes, on the other hand, only convey half of the whole story.
- Surgery to extract ovaries
The menstrual cycle is regulated by hormones produced by your ovaries, such as estrogen and progesterone. The removal of your ovaries causes you to go into menopause right away. Hence, you stop having monthly periods, and you're more prone to get hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Because hormonal shifts occur suddenly instead of gradually for several years, the associated signs and symptoms might be severe.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
These cancer treatments can trigger early menopause, resulting in signs and symptoms, including hot flashes during or immediately after treatment. Because the cessation of menstruation (and thus fertility) is not necessarily permanent after chemotherapy, birth control might still be sought.
When radiation is directed at the ovaries, it has an effect on ovarian function. Other regions of the body subjected to radiation therapy, like head, neck, or breast tissue, won’t lead to early menopause.
- Lifestyle factors
Certain lifestyle variables may play a role in the onset of your menopause. For instance, smoking has anti-estrogen properties, which can lead to early menopause. According to a recent study, regular or long-term smokers are more likely to begin the menopause phase sooner. Therefore, most women who are smokers may experience menopause about one to two years earlier, unlike those who do not.
In addition, BMI (body mass index) can potentially play a role in early menopause. Estrogen is a hormone that is stored in adipose tissue. This means that highly slim women have lower estrogen stores, which are more easily depleted.
- Autoimmune conditions
An autoimmune condition, like thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, can cause early menopause. The immune system misidentifies a portion of the body as an intruder and strikes it in autoimmune illnesses. The ovaries can be affected by inflammation produced by certain disorders. With time, menopause starts as the ovaries cease to function.
- Chromosome deficiency
Chromosomal abnormalities can cause early menopause. Turner syndrome, also known as monosomy X and gonadal dysgenesis, is a condition in which an infant has an incomplete chromosome. Therefore, women with this condition have ovaries that do not function normally. As a result, they are likely to experience menopause earlier.
Early Menopause Diagnosis
To rule out other diseases, including thyroid disease and pregnancy, your gynecologist will most likely carry out a physical examination. He or she can also extract blood to identify early menopause.
In addition, the gynecologist may order an estradiol (an estrogen derivative) test to determine your levels. Low estradiol levels can signify that your ovaries are failing. Also, estradiol levels lower than 30 may indicate that you are approaching menopause.
However, a blood test to check follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for diagnosing early menopause. FSH stimulates the production of estrogen in your ovaries. Your FSH levels rise when the ovaries slow down their estrogen production. If the FSH levels exceed 40 mIU/mL, it typically means you're approaching menopause.
If necessary, they can measure the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to verify the diagnosis. TSH levels will be too high when you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). The disorder has symptoms that are comparable to those of menopause.
Early Menopause Treatment
Early menopause does not usually require any treatment or medication. There are, however, a few treatment alternatives available to assist control the symptoms of early menopause and related diseases. These treatments can make it easier for one to deal with various lifestyle and body changes.
Early menopause age, on the other hand, is frequently treated because it happens at a younger age. This provides your body with hormones that it would typically produce till you arrive at natural menopause age.
The following are the most common treatment options;
- Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy, also known as estrogen therapy, comes in a variety of forms, such as pills, patches, gels, transdermal sprays, and creams. Intravaginal hormone therapies are also accessible in a localized form. Vaginal dryness and hot flashes can be controlled most effectively with hormone therapy.
Experts suggest utilizing the lowest efficient dose of hormone therapy for a shorter period required for symptom management. This is because hormone therapy has been linked to specific health concerns, including stroke, heart attack, and breast cancer.
- Antidepressants doses
Certain antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown to reduce menopause-related hot flashes. Females who cannot use estrogen for health purposes or need an antidepressant for a mood problem may benefit from a low-dose antidepressant for hot flashes management.
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements
If you do not have enough calcium or vitamin D from your regular diet, supplemental calcium and vitamin D can assist in preventing osteoporosis. Women between the ages of 19 and 50 need to consume 1,000 mg of calcium every day, either in the form of food or supplements. On the other hand, women aging above 51 should take 1,200 mg of calcium each day.
- Medications for osteoporosis prevention and treatment
Gynecologists may prescribe medicine to prevent or address osteoporosis, depending on the patient's needs. There are several drugs that can help prevent bone loss and fractures risks. They can also recommend vitamin D supplements to assist in strengthening your bones.
- Vaginal area estrogen
Estrogen can be applied directly to the vaginal canal in the form of vaginal cream, pill, or ring to reduce vaginal dryness. Only a small amount of estrogen is released during this treatment, and the vaginal tissues absorb it. This can help with vaginal dryness, sexual discomfort, and various urinary problems.
Complications of Early Menopause
Menopause, especially early and early menopause, can increase your risk of acquiring additional illnesses. Some of them include;
- Infertility: The majority of women who are going through early menopause are unable to conceive.
- Anxiety, stress, and depression: Infertility and other early menopausal health problems are frequently the cause of these mood shifts.
- Bone loss (osteoporosis): Low estrogen levels cause osteoporosis, which increases the risk of bone fractures among women.
- Heart disease: Lower levels of estrogen can potentially cause heart disease.
Prognosis of Early Menopause
Women with early menopause have an outlook that is associated with the conditions and root of their ailment. The prognosis is connected to the underlying purpose of the treatment if early menopause develops as a result of surgery or cancer therapy.
Women who experience early ovarian failure due to unknown reasons may be at a higher risk of osteoporosis. Even though the danger of cardiovascular illness later in life has not been extensively investigated, these women may as well be at risk.
Conclusion
If a woman's menstrual periods cease before the age of 45, the condition is considered early menopause. It can occur naturally or as a result of certain therapies. Normal menopause usually begins between the ages of 45 to 55 for most females. If you are below 45 and your periods have become sporadic or stopped entirely, you should see a gynecologist.
Nonetheless, most women will continue to live healthy and active lives through their menopause and the following decades. Besides, midlife can be the start of a new chapter in their lives.