My Journey with Cushing’s disease
At 30 years old, I was fit, healthy and naturally a size 8–10. I knew my body well, which is why, when it started to
If you are anything like me, experiencing weird, new, or different symptoms can be an express ticket to an extensive internet search. The internet can be a fabulous place for information, and can make you feel so much better about what is going on with you. It can also drive you insane, scare you, or give you a lot of useless information about completely unrelated ailments.
Here at Female Health & Fertility, we strive for excellence in the information we provide, and hope that encouragement will be the end result of your time spent with us. In this article we will be exploring the world of early menopause symptoms. I hope that the details offered here will empower you, and that you will seek further professional help if you feel you are experiencing early menopause symptoms.
Menopause is the period of time after your menstrual cycle stops permanently. Most people go through menopause around the age of 51. Menopause that happens before the age of 45 is generally considered early onset menopause.
A study titled, Premature Menopause or Early Menopause: Long-term Health Consequences, explains: “Premature menopause refers to menopause that occurs before age 40 years, and early menopause refers to menopause that occurs at or before age 45 years, both ranges being well below the median age of natural menopause (age 51 years). Premature menopause or early menopause can be spontaneous or induced; if induced, it can be due to medical interventions such as chemotherapy or surgical interventions such as bilateral oophorectomy.”
The age of the person going through menopause is what is used to determine the type they have. However, the symptoms they are experiencing are usually similar. Let’s take a look at those now.
Often the first signs of menopause are irregular menstrual cycles or changes in menstrual cycles. Early stages of menopause occur when a decrease in estrogen begins to disrupt the typical workings of the reproductive system. As it progresses, the symptoms and changes may increase.
Other symptoms can include:
These and others can make life more difficult, and leave you wondering when you will feel like yourself again.
There are a range of reasons why someone may experience menopause earlier in life. Let’s look into some of those now.
Genetic disorders are more common in those who experience early menopause. Chromosomal abnormalities such as Turner’s syndrome, are thought to be the most common cause.
Autoimmune diseases can also cause premature menopause. They are reported to be the cause in 30-60% of cases. We learn in a study called, Premature Menopause: “Autoimmune causes of premature menopause are thyroid diseases, mumps, hyperparathyroidism and Addison’s disease.”
Smoking increases the risk of going into menopause early. This can directly correlate with the amount of exposure one has had with polycyclic hydrocarbons contained within cigarette smoke. Quitting smoking can greatly reduce the risks.
If someone has gone through radiation or chemotherapy, their chances of ovarian failure are increased. However, the good news is that this form of appeared early onset of menopause may in some cases be reversible.
Many people tend to use the term premature ovarian failure incorrectly when referring to premature menopause. According to the Mayo Clinic: “Premature menopause isn’t the same as premature ovarian failure, although some people use the terms interchangeably. Healthcare providers now refer to premature ovarian failure as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
“POI is a condition where your periods stop suddenly and spontaneously, either early or prematurely. POI isn’t the same as premature or early menopause, because with POI, there’s a chance your period will come back. People with POI may still ovulate, menstruate or become pregnant. With early or premature menopause, you don’t ovulate or menstruate, and you lose the ability to get pregnant.”
If a patient has undergone surgery on their ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus, it can cause them to go into menopause early. Ovarian failure symptoms after hysterectomy are common, especially if the ovaries have been removed.
Taking hormone blockers can cause menopause symptoms. In a study called The Effect of Gender-Affirming Medical Care on the Vaginal and Neovaginal Microbiomes of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People we learn: “Gender-affirming medical care for transmasculine individuals can include testosterone therapy, which suppresses circulating estrogen and can lead to changes in the vaginal epithelium that are reminiscent of the postmenopausal period in cisgender females.”
Individuals experiencing early menopause symptoms while under-going gender affirming treatment may want to check with their doctor just to be sure. As discussed before, other conditions can cause these symptoms that may be of concern. A medical care professional can confirm that the symptoms are part of the process, and ease any discomfort or worry one may have.
In many cases, there is no identifiable cause for menopause before age 51. However, it is helpful to know the signs. This way, if someone believes they are going into menopause early, they can get the help they need as soon as possible.
An early menopause test will most likely be done through your doctor hearing your symptoms and ordering blood tests. These tests can measure your hormone levels, as well as rule out any other condition that could cause similar symptoms. For example, pregnancy and thyroid problems can both affect your menstrual cycle and cause many symptoms that mimic menopause.
Once it has been established that early menopause is taking place, treatment options can be offered. Mostly they consist of hormone replacement therapy (HRT or HT), herbs and other remedies, counseling, and treatment for individual symptoms such as dry skin and headaches etc. There is hope.
A study called, Long-term Health Consequences of Premature or Early Menopause and Considerations for Management, concluded: “Premature or early menopause is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes including cognitive impairment, dementia, parkinsonism, glaucoma, CHD, osteoporosis, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, and increased overall mortality. The results of trials pertaining to HT in older menopausal women cannot be extrapolated to women experiencing early menopause or POI. Unless a strong contraindication exists, HT is recommended at least until the natural age of menopause to protect against these negative effects, and may be considered for a longer duration if needed based on symptoms.
“A higher dose of HT may be needed to approximate physiologic blood estradiol concentrations in premenopausal menstruating women. Counseling regarding cardiovascular disease prevention, osteoporosis, and fracture risk reduction is suggested. Attention to the psychological impact of early menopause is essential, and referral to a mental health professional may be of benefit.”
A person’s mental health is paramount, yet it is often overlooked. It is important to treat menopause with the utmost care for all of the needs of each individual. It isn’t only the classic and most bothersome symptoms that should be addressed.
Like all things, there are pros and cons to early menopause. Things like fertility, mental health, and identity may come into play.
The benefits of early menopause depend on what causes it. For example, though surgeries like hysterectomy can cause menopause, they can also greatly reduce the chances of certain cancers, as well as menstrual problems such as heavy bleeding and cramps.
Menopause also begins the time of life where women can live without a period. Some, especially those with period-related issues, find this a huge benefit.
Some may also find elements of menopause to be freeing and feel they are entering the best years of their lives. Of course the counter argument of this is that others see it as taking away their youth, ability to become a parent, and enjoy their partner sexually.
Often, the age of a person makes a difference. Early menopause in a person’s 20s or signs of early menopause at 30 may alarm those who want to bear children, or feel their stage of life is being threatened. On the other hand, age 45 perimenopause symptoms could be exciting for someone who thought they would have to wait longer for their cycles to end.
The good may or may not outweigh the bad. Every person is different. How each is affected varies greatly.
It is important to note, knowing for sure if you are going through menopause requires a diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. Some symptoms could signal other conditions or even pregnancy. It is important to document the signs and share them with your doctor.
Going through menopause early does not mean you are aging too soon. It is also not something to be ashamed of. You are not alone. With the appropriate treatment, you can be feeling more like yourself in no time, and many people find their life post menopause to be freer and happier than before.
Shuster, L. T., Rhodes, D. J., Gostout, B. S., Grossardt, B. R., & Rocca, W. A. (2010). Premature menopause or early menopause: long-term health consequences. Maturitas, 65(2), 161–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.08.003
Okeke, T., Anyaehie, U., & Ezenyeaku, C. (2013). Premature menopause. Annals of medical and health sciences research, 3(1), 90–95. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.109458
Krakowsky, Y., Potter, E., Hallarn, J., Monari, B., Wilcox, H., Bauer, G., Ravel, J., & Prodger, J. L. (2022). The Effect of Gender-Affirming Medical Care on the Vaginal and Neovaginal Microbiomes of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 11, 769950. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.769950
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