How early is early menopause? Early menopause is considered to be menopause that begins between the ages of 40 and 45. The following information has been taken from healthline.com.
Premature menopause starts even earlier, before age 40.
Early or premature menopause can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- chromosomal defects, such as Turner Syndrome
- autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease
- surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) or uterus (hysterectomy)
- chemotherapy or other radiation therapies for cancer
If you’re under 40 and haven’t had a period in over 3 months, see your doctor to get tested for early menopause or other underlying causes.
What if I’ve had a hysterectomy?
If your uterus was surgically removed through a hysterectomy, you may not know you’re going through menopause unless you experience hot flashes. This can also happen if you’ve had an endometrial ablation and your ovaries weren’t removed. Endometrial ablation is the removal of the lining of your uterus as a treatment for heavy menstruation. If you aren’t having any symptoms, a blood test can determine if your ovaries are still functioning. This test can be used to help doctors find out your oestrogen level, which may be beneficial if you’re at risk of osteoporosis. That’s because knowing your oestrogen status may be important in determining whether you need a bone density assessment.
More information:
- Healthline.com
- Gold EB. (2011). The timing of the age at which natural menopause occurs. DOI:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3285482/ - Perimenopause & premature menopause FAQS. (n.d.).
menopause.org/for-women/expert-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-about-menopause/perimenopause-premature-menopause-faqs - Sparks D. (2016). Women’s wellness: 5 things to know about early menopause.
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/womens-wellness-5-things-you-need-to-know-about-early-menopause/ -
Early menopause (premature menopause). (2017). womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-premature-menopause/