Menopause is when a woman has her final period and can no longer get pregnant naturally. It usually happens between the late 40s and early 50s.
But for about 1% of women, menopause can happen before age 40. This is called premature menopause, and it can raise your risk of future health problems. That’s because menopause causes a big dip in estrogen, and having low estrogen for too long isn’t good for your body.
It’s important to note that this is different from perimenopause, which is the typical beginning stage of menopause when estrogen production declines and periods gradually end.
What causes premature menopause?
Premature menopause can be induced by medical treatments or happen naturally. Risk factors include:
- Surgery to remove the ovaries
- Chemotherapy
- Genetic factors or family history
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Smoking
In many cases, the exact cause isn’t known.
Symptoms of premature menopause
“Women who experience menopause naturally may have similar symptoms regardless of their age,” notes Amanda Murchison, MD, Carilion Women’s. These include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats or trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Brain fog
Like menopause in older women, premature menopause is confirmed when a woman has gone 12 months without a period.
Is early menopause a problem?
It can be. If you’re under 40 and have symptoms of menopause, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Going without estrogen for too many years can raise your risk for:
- Bone loss (osteoporosis)
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Sexual problems
- Memory issues or dementia
“Women of any age with menopause symptoms should see their doctor,” says Kimberly Simcox, DO, Carilion Women’s. “They can rule out other conditions and determine whether treatment is needed.”
Treatment options
Hormone replacement therapy is the primary treatment. It helps replace the estrogen that your body no longer makes after menopause. There are 2 main types:
- Systemic therapy, which treats the whole body and can come as a pill, patch, ring, gel or cream
- Vaginal therapy, which treats specific symptoms like dryness and comes as a ring, tablet or cream
If you still have a uterus, then progesterone may be added to estrogen therapy. Progesterone helps protect the uterine lining against precancer or cancer and helps with hot flashes and sleep problems.
If you have questions or are experiencing menopause symptoms, talk to your primary care doctor or gynecologist.
