Symptoms of Early and Premature Menopause

Menopause is something that all women go through, with the average age of menopause between ages 45 and 55¹. It typically lasts for around seven years, but it can actually last as long as 14 years. With that said, the first early menopause age can also start a lot earlier than that, with some woman experiencing it as early as their 20s. When menopause occurs before 45, it is known as early menopause, something which happens to around 5% of women². If you are interested in learning more about menopause, or you are worried about going through it earlier than normal, read on to learn all about the signs of early menopause and the symptoms of early and premature menopause.

We will cover:

• Defining Premature Menopause
• Key Symptoms of Premature Menopause
• Common Causes of Premature Menopause
• Health Risks Associated with Early Menopause
• Treatment Options Available
• Coping Strategies for Managing Symptoms

Defining Premature Menopause

Before you can understand more about premature menopause, it is important to define it properly first. It is also known as primary ovarian insufficiency and is defined as the partial or total loss of hormone production of the ovaries before age 40 — caused by follicular dysfunction or the early loss of eggs³. It comes with many signs of premature menopause that we will cover below.

Key Symptoms of Premature Menopause

It’s important to know the symptoms of early menopause. Generally speaking, you will know that your menopause is over if you have not had your period for 12 months in a row². But there are also other symptoms that you need to know, split between both physical and emotional symptoms. Check them out below!

Physical Symptoms

As you go through menopause, your body is going to go through a lot of changes. Some of the changes that you should be aware of include:

• Hot flushes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness

It’s worth pointing out that having one or two of these menopause symptoms might not necessarily spell out premature menopause. In this respect, it might make sense to consult a doctor.

Emotional Symptoms

Menopause is something that almost all cisgender women go through, but it can be doubly stressful if it comes before your time, especially if you were planning on having children, because menopause means you cannot conceive naturally (although it may be possible with IVF). This could cause depression in many women. The other symptoms of menopause you need to be aware of include:

• Low energy
• High level of anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory and concentration issues

Common Causes of Premature Menopause

Premature menopause is rare, but many types of lifestyle choices increase the chances of it arriving earlier. You might be wondering what the early menopause reason is. Some of the common causes of early menopause in women include:

• Smoking
• Ovary removal surgery
• Uterus removal surgery (hysterectomy)
• Chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatments
• Autoimmune disorder
• HIV and AIDS
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome²

Genetic Factors

There are also a couple of genetic factors that can lead to premature menopause. If your family has a history of premature menopause, this means that you are at higher risk of developing premature menopause yourself². Additionally, if you are born without all or part of one X chromosome, this can affect ovary formation and could lead to early menopause.

Health Risks Associated with Early Menopause

Early menopause is associated with a variety of long-term health risks. Due to the drop in estrogen, there can be long-term effects on cognition, mood, cardiovascular function, bone, and sexual health. There is also the chance of developing osteoporosis and even early mortality⁴. This change in your physical health can be distressing, which can also lead to a development in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia⁵. The other worry you might have is about your sex life, which can be adversely affected by early menopause, causing vaginal dryness and a lack of sexual desire. All of these issues may require medical and mental intervention, as well as lifestyle changes.

Coping Strategies for Managing Symptoms

There are many coping strategies that you can use to deal with the symptoms of menopause. If you are worried about developing osteoporosis, then it makes sense to take supplements such as supplemental calcium and vitamin D. Additionally, you may be worried about infertility, meaning that you can freeze your eggs in advance, or think about adoption instead! Additionally, there are going to be other women who are going through the same thing as you, so it’s worth joining a support group! We also have a guide to cooling down hot flashes that you can read today.

Lifestyle Adjustments

One of the biggest effects of premature and early menopause will be upon your sex life, with many changes to your vagina during this time. This is because vaginal dryness is one of the most common side effects of going through menopause. This means that the way you have to approach sex should be changed. Going slower, talking with your partner, and understanding your body is crucial to having a satisfying sex life. Additionally, one way that you might be able to relieve the discomfort during sex as a result of vaginal dryness is by using lube. The good news is that K-Y® has a great selection of lubes that you can use right away. Use the Pick Your Pleasure page today to find the lube for you!

Resources

1. National Institute of Aging, 2021, What Is Menopause?
2. Office on Women’s Health, 2022, Early or premature menopause
3. Springer, 2016, Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
4. National Institute of Health, 2015, Long-term health consequences of premature or early menopause and considerations for management
5. National Institute of Health, 2023, Linkage of premature and early menopause with psychosocial well-being: a moderated multiple mediation approach
6. National Institute of Health, 2023, Clonidine

Share Pin it Email