Early Onset Menopause
The average age for the onset of menopause in American women is 51 years. However, many women experience menopause years before they should. If the menopause occurs before the age of 40, it is called premature menopause; if the condition starts between 40 and 45, it is called “early onset menopause.”
Symptoms of early onset menopause
While “natural” menopause occurs with Estrogen levels gradually decreasing over a number of years, many times early onset menopause is accompanied by a sudden, drastic reduction in Estrogen. Therefore, many “early onset” women experience the same symptoms as their “natural” counterparts—but the symptoms are often more severe. All symptoms of early onset menopause are caused by the bodily changes that occur as a result of the fluctuation of hormones. Symptoms of early onset menopause include
- Irregular or skipped periods
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Hot flashes
- Joint/muscle pain
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
- Emotional “roller coaster:” ups and downs
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Night sweats
- Water retention
- Forgetfulness
Causes of early onset menopause
Many times, the onset of early menopause is due to genetics. Some women may be born with an irregularity in their X-Chromosome. This irregularity can interfere with egg production and cause menopause. Other women are born with a very low number of eggs, which causes menopause to occur years before it should.
Another cause of early onset menopause is a condition called Premature Ovarian Failure (POV). Women with this condition have ovaries that are not functioning properly. Because of this, the affected women either no longer produce eggs, or they stop producing the hormones needed for ovulation.
In addition to genetics and POV, early onset menopause can be caused by illness or surgery. These conditions can cause an “estrogen crash,” which causes women to enter menopause early.
Diagnosis of early onset menopause
Doctors are learning more and more about the symptoms of early onset menopause, and this results in more women being diagnosed. To properly diagnose early onset menopause, doctors will need to rule out other conditions that can cause the symptoms. Doctors will always perform blood tests to rule out pregnancy or other reproductive issues. Doctors will also want to check for thyroid disease. In addition, many doctors will use blood tests to check hormone levels at various stages of the menstrual cycle. The most important test, however, is to measure the “follicle stimulating hormone,” or FSH. This hormone causes the ovaries to produce estrogen. When ovaries slow the production of estrogen, FSH levels rise.
Treatments for early onset menopause
There is no cure for early onset menopause. However, there are things that can be done to reduce the severity of the symptoms. The most popular treatment for the condition is Hormone Replacement Therapy. Another popular option is the use of “phytoestrogens.” Pytoestrogens are plant compounds that resemble estrogen, but at a lower strength.
Research indicates that the use of phytoestrogens works best in conjunction with an Asian diet—the American equivalent would include consuming tofu, soymilk, soy flour and cooked soybeans.
Dietary supplements may also reduce the severity of symptoms. Supplements containing black cohosh, soy, calcium, folic acid and B-vitamins work naturally with the body to decrease symptoms of early onset menopause.
Many women also turn to herbal medications and aromatherapy. While more research needs to be done concerning the safety and effectiveness of these treatments, they remain a popular option for women dealing with menopausal symptoms.
For many women affected by early onset menopause, it is difficult to come to terms with the fact that the reproductive years are over. Women may need the help of a therapists or a support group to deal with early onset menopause and to enjoy the new stage of their lives.
Category: Early Menopause
