Menopause How Early Is Too Early?
Posted on Feb 12, 2009 under Menopause | 6 Comments
There are plenty of alternative treatments such as biofeedback and medical treatments, such as hormone therapy that can help a woman cope with her menopause symptoms.However, despite the available treatments, some women don’t only worry about the symptoms of menopause; they worry about entering menopause too early.
What is considered early menopause? Early menopause is characterized by not having your period cycle for 12 consecutive months prior to being 45 years of age. Aside from early menopause there is also premature menopause which occurs before age 40, and is commonly known as premature ovarian failure (POF) if it occurs naturally. POF simply means that a woman’s ovaries are malfunctioning and prematurely shutting down in her 20’s, and 30’s, decades before they naturally should.
What is the cause of early menopause? Early menopause can occur for a number of reasons, some of which include:
ÂAutoimmune disorders – It is estimated that 2/3 of women who suffer from POF have autoimmune disorders; a medical condition characterized by the body’s immune system malfunctioning and attacking itself. In the case of POF, the autoimmune disorder eventually results in the destruction of ovarian function.
ÂChromosomal Irregularity – This is a hereditary condition in which a woman has a defective X chromosome. In short, if one of a woman’s two X chromosomes is defective, it can interfere with egg production which can result in early menopause.
ÂTotal hysterectomy or Oophorectomy – When the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed (total hysterectomy), or when only the ovaries are removed (oophorectomy) a woman is put into menopause, regardless of her age.
ÂChemotherapy or radiation – Certain types of chemo and radiation treatments for cancer can damage the ovaries and put a woman in menopause right away.
Other reasons why a woman may experience early or premature menopause include:
 Ovarian damage that results from surgery
 Viral infections
 Hyperprolactinemia (Overproduction of prolactin causes amennorhea – cessation of periods)
 Thyroid disease
 Polycystic ovarian syndrome (characterized by skipped or missed period cycles)
 Cushings disease (characterized by overactive adrenal glands and can result in amenorrhea)
 Family history
The following are the signs and symptoms of perimenopause (stage before menopause occurs) to watch for –
 Irregular periods (Skipped periods or change in duration or frequency)
 Infertility
 Vaginal dryness
 Hot flashes
 Breast tenderness
 Stress incontinence (bladder control issues)
 Restless sleep and/or insomnia
 Headaches
 Gastrointestinal upset (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating etc.)
 Tingly or itchy skin
 Thinning of hair or hair loss
 Weight gain
 Dizziness or lightheadedness
 Moodiness
 Anxiety
 Irritability
 Low sex drive
 Mental fogginess
 Depression
 Extreme fatigue
 Emotional detachment
 Lack of concentration
How can you determine if you are experiencing early menopause? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or others that are not listed and you suspect you may be experiencing pre-menopausal symptoms, it’s time to bring your speculations to your doctor.
There are three main tests you can take to determine a menopause diagnosis –
1.FSH test – A follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test is used to test a woman’s FSH levels. If levels are high it’s a sign that the ovaries have stopped producing sufficient estrogen and could mean that the body has begun menopause.
2.Blood test – You can ask your doctor for a blood test to determine estradiol levels. Estradiol is a form of estrogen and the levels decrease when the ovaries begin to fail. Therefore, low estradiol levels may be a sign of early menopause.
3.Thyroid test – A thyroid test is a good idea because many perimenopause symptoms mirror thyroid problems. Therefore, this test will help you determine if what you are experiencing is indeed early menopause.
If you are diagnosed with early menopause, you will find that there are different treatment options to help you cope with symptoms. Be sure to talk to you doctor about all possible treatments.
Kathryn Whittaker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/menopause-how-early-is-too-early-131395.html
April 24th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Do women that start their period late start menopause early?
I started my period at 14. Someone told me a long time ago, that I will start menopause early because of this…. Is this true?
April 24th, 2009 at 8:38 am
I dont think 14 is late…. its pretty avg in this country…. the saying is if you start your period early you'll start menopause early.
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:40 am
There are no guidelines for when you start. It isn't the same for anyone. If you are healthy you have at least thirty years, probably more, of having periods.
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Not true.
Also, 14 is not late. It's the normal time to start. Most girls start at 13 or 14.
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:44 am
14 is not late, but to answer your question. When a girl is born, her body has a fixed amount of eggs. It is not until she expells all of the eggs that she starts menopause. Unlike men, who produce sperm all of their lives, women have a limited amount of eggs.
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April 24th, 2009 at 8:46 am
First of all, starting your period at 14 isn't early. I started my periods when I was 11.
Secondly, there is no relation between when you start your periods and when you go through menopause. My mother also started her periods at 11 and she has still not gone through menopause. She is now 52 years old.
It's just a myth.
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