What Causes Premature Menopause? A Closer Look at Medical Factors

If you’re under the age of 40 and experiencing hot flashes, irregular periods, mood changes or other menopause-like symptoms, it may indicate a condition known as premature menopause. But what causes premature menopause? And what’s the difference between this condition and early menopause or natural menopause? 

We’ll answer these questions, consider what starting menopause early means for your overall health and highlight diagnosis and treatment options.

Underlying medical conditions that cause premature menopause can impact your overall health and fertility. We encourage you to contact us to schedule an appointment if you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of this condition. As gynecologists in Chapel Hill and Durham, we’ve provided expert care to thousands of women for decades and we can tailor a treatment plan just for you. 

What is Premature Menopause?

You’re in menopause when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. When this happens, your ovaries stop producing hormones and releasing eggs.

Natural menopause typically occurs around age 52, though it can vary with the average age range being between 45 and 55. 

Premature and early menopause are defined as menopause that occurs earlier than the average age. Premature menopause is when your menstrual periods stop before the age of 40, while early menopause is menopause that happens between the ages of 40 and 45. 

What Are the Signs You’re Starting Premature Menopause?

The signs of premature menopause are similar to those of natural menopause.

Symptoms of premature menopause may include:

• Irregular menstrual cycles that can occur a few years prior to your last period
• Emotional changes such as irritability, mood swings, depression or anxiety
• Weight changes, either weight gain or weight loss
• Joint and muscle aches and pains
• Trouble focusing or forgetfulness
• Changes in your sex drive
• Uncomfortable or painful sex
• Sleep disturbances 
• Vaginal dryness 
• Headaches
• Hot flashes 
• Night sweats
• Breast tenderness

What Causes Premature Menopause?

Several factors can contribute to premature menopause including certain medical and surgical treatments, health conditions, medications and lifestyle choices.  

Causes of premature menopause may include:

• Surgeries, including removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) or hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
• Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition in which younger women skip periods or have no periods at all
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease or thyroid disease
• Chronic diseases like HIV, AIDs or severe liver or kidney disease
• Certain chromosomal abnormalities like Fragile X or Turner’s syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer
• Family history of early menopause 
• Getting your first period before age 11
• Viral infections like mumps
• Environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, pesticides or heavy metals 
• Smoking cigarettes 

Sometimes the exact cause of premature menopause is not known.

What is Induced Menopause?

Induced menopause refers to menopause brought on by medical intervention. This includes chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer, which can damage the ovaries, or removal of the ovaries, known as oophorectomy.

Can You Reverse Premature Menopause?

Premature menopause can’t be reversed, but there are effective treatments that can help you manage the symptoms of menopause. We invite you to reach out to us to discuss your treatment options.

Are There Any Risks of Starting Menopause Early?

Some women who go through menopause early may experience more severe menopause symptoms, which can be a factor in sexual dysfunction or loss of intimacy. 

Premature or early menopause also means you’ll spend more years without estrogen, which provides benefits for bone and cardiovascular health and cognitive function. 

For this reason, premature menopause may put you at increased risk for developing conditions including:

• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis 
• Depression or sadness over the early loss of fertility 
• Cognitive impairments such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease 

We encourage you to talk to us about how to lower your risk for these health conditions.

Managing and Treating Premature Menopause

If you believe you’re experiencing symptoms of premature menopause, we can conduct tests and ask questions to provide a proper diagnosis.

Early diagnosis is essential for managing symptoms, assessing your fertility options and reducing long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. 

Diagnosing premature menopause may include: 

• Questions about the regularity of your periods
• Talking about family history of early menopause
• Hormonal blood tests such as FSH, estradiol and AMH to evaluate and measure ovarian function 
• Ultrasound of ovaries
• Physical exam

Premature menopause treatment can vary depending on the factors that triggered it and may include:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Mental and emotional health support
• Fertility preservation and treatment options 
• Bone and heart health support
• Lifestyle choices such as getting regular exercise, avoiding excess alcohol intake and not smoking 

Chapel Hill OBGYN Offers Comprehensive Gynecological Care for Premature Menopause 

If you’re 40 or younger and experiencing irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes or other common menopause symptoms, we encourage you to contact us. These symptoms could indicate premature menopause. 

Early diagnosis of premature menopause is critical for identifying underlying causes, addressing fertility concerns, and helping you manage potential long-term health risks like osteoporosis and heart disease. 

We’ll talk to you about your symptoms, evaluate your health history, and order bloodwork or other necessary tests to make a proper diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan just for you.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment.