All About Early Menopause

Menopause normally starts between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. On the average, it happens at the age of 51. If it occurs before 45, you are experiencing early menopause.

Women who experience hot flashes or vaginal dryness when they are only in their thirties or forties usually get scared and become upset. It is important to therefore understand what early menopause really is and how it is differentiated from premature ovarian failure and premature menopause.

Early menopause can be due to several reasons. If your ovaries were surgically removed, you will stop menstruating because you will not be able to produce eggs anymore. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer also affect hormone production and ultimately your reproductive cycle.

Early menopause can be due to several reasons. If your ovaries were surgically removed, you will stop menstruating because you will not be able to produce eggs anymore. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer also affect hormone production and ultimately your reproductive cycle.

Early menopause can also be hereditary. If your ancestors went through early menopause, you will also likely experience it. Your personal lifestyle may also cause ovaries to malfunction. For example, medical studies show that women who smoke tend to menopause at least two years earlier than the average.

Personal medical history also affect early menopause to some extent. It includes heart conditions, clinical depression, epilepsy, not giving birth, surgery in the pelvis region, and even constant exposure to harmful chemicals.

Sometimes, ceasing to menstruate is only temporary. It can be because a woman has just gone through some medical treatments that affect the production of hormones. In time, as the body recuperates and goes back to normal, the ovaries also goes back to normal functioning.

Early menopause is differentiated from premature menopause through age. Technically, premature menopause happens when your period just stops for any reason before you reach 40. On the other hand, early menopause happens before you reach 45. If you stop menstruating at an early age due to ovary deficiencies, it is called premature ovarian failure. This can be hereditary, or sometimes an ovary simply malfunctions for no apparent reason.

To check if you are having early menopause, you can look through several symptoms. This is basically the same as the symptoms of regular menopause except that you are getting it earlier than most women. Some symptoms are having irregular periods, experiencing hot flashes (sweating at night), mood swings, drying skin in the vaginal area, and sleep disturbances.

Any of these signs concurring means that your body is experiencing hormonal imbalances. In other words, your ovaries are producing lesser amounts of estrogen hormones that your body needs for a normal reproductive cycle.

There are certain health issues accompanied with early menopause. Your body needs estrogen to protect you against many diseases. If you stop menstruating early, you are at a greater risk of getting heart diseases. Your bones weaken and you become more prone to osteoporosis. You are also prone to thyroid diseases and glaucoma.

Early menopause is not a critical medical condition that needs to be treated. However, it still depends from one woman to another. Some women experiencing early menopause in their twenties or thirties opt to have hormone therapy because they could not cope with bodily disturbances like hot flashes and emotional swings.

To help you decide whether to get treatment or not, you can see your doctor. He will provide you with a series of tests to check if you are experiencing serious disruptive symptoms that should be treated. You may be given drugs to relieve your pains or in worse conditions, a surgery might be needed.