Early menopause: What you need to know

Date: May-31-2017 Menstruation is the process by which a woman ovulates or releases an egg ready for fertilized by a sperm. As a woman ages, she ceases menstruation by no longer producing hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, necessary to ovulate. This is known as menopause.

While most women experience menopause in their late 40s and 50s, some women go through it much earlier. If a woman has the menopause before age 40, this is known as early menopause.

Early menopause may be induced by medical treatments or, as a side effect of them. However, some women may experience early menopause due to unexplained factors.

It is important for a woman to talk to her doctor if she is going through early menopause, as this condition can affect her health.

Contents of this article:

Causes

Symptoms

Treating early menopause symptoms

Causes    

Early menopause can occur naturally and may be caused by genetics or surgery.

Both medical treatments and other factors can result in early menopause. Some of the most common causes of early menopause include:

Genetics (family history): Women who have a close family relative, such as a mother or grandmother, who went through early menopause, they are more likely to do the same themselves.

Autoimmune disorder: A disorder where the body's immune system attacks the body itself. Sometimes an autoimmune disorder, such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis, can damage the tissues in the ovaries, affecting their abilities to make hormones. This can result in early menopause.

Cancer: Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvis for cancer can damage the cells in the ovaries, resulting in early menopause. Not all women who receive radiation and chemotherapy treatments for pelvic cancers will experience early menopause. However, it is a possibility.

Surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries: An operation to remove the ovaries is known as an oophorectomy, and it can induce what is called surgical menopause. Because the ovaries are removed, overall hormone levels fall. While surgery to remove the uterus does not always result in immediate menopause, some women may experience menopause early because of this, too.

When a woman experiences early menopause that is not a result of medical intervention, this condition is known as primary ovarian insufficiency.

Symptoms

A woman has early menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row.

Other symptoms associated with changing hormone levels include:

difficulty sleeping

hot flashes

irregular periods

vaginal dryness

While women skip their periods from time to time without being pregnant or in menopause, early menopause causes continued missed periods over the course of 12 months.

No definitive test exists to reveal if a woman is in early menopause. But there are tests that help a doctor determine if a woman is probably experiencing this condition.

Examples include a blood test for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone controls the production of eggs in the menstrual cycle.

However, a woman's hormone levels change depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. A woman can have a low FSH level, yet not be going through menopause.

Complications  

Urinary incontinence can be a long-term complication of early menopause.

Menopause and the associated changes in hormones cause a number of symptoms in a woman. Hot flashes may be temporary, but there are other long-term effects that can impact on a woman's life and health.

While the hormones produced in the ovaries play a role in sexual function, they are also important for a woman's overall health.

Going through early menopause at a young age can affect a woman's childbearing years. As a result, she will not be able to get pregnant. This can have a far-reaching, psychological impact.

Other long-term complications associated with early menopause include:

Loss of bone density

Dense bones are harder to break and are therefore considered healthier than less dense ones. A lack of estrogen results in more brittle bones. This can make a woman prone to osteoporosis, or thin bones.

Women going through early menopause have a greater risk for broken bones, such as those of the hips, wrists, and spine.

Increased risk for cardiovascular disease

Reduced estrogen is associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in women.

These effects can be further complicated by pre-existing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Urinary incontinence

The lack of estrogen due to early menopause can result in thinning vaginal tissues. This can result in increased risk for urinary incontinence, especially when coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.

Weight gain

A woman's metabolism can slow due to menopause. As a result, she may gain weight.

Affected sexual activity

The lack of lubrication due to thinning of the vaginal tissues can affect sexual function. A woman may have a lack of sexual desire, as well as reduced vaginal lubrication.

Impaired ability to think

Research suggests that early menopause can have a negative effect on a woman's ability to think, including visual memories and verbal fluency.

Other studies suggest there may be an increased risk of dementia in women who undergo early menopause.

If a woman experiences these or other symptoms related to early menopause, she should talk to her doctor.

Treating early menopause symptoms

According to an article published in Climacteric, most medical societies recommend that women who go through early menopause take hormone replacement therapy until they reach expected menopausal age.

This therapy means taking estrogen and other hormones, that are similar to the body's natural hormones, to reduce menopause symptoms.

Avoiding spicy foods is recommended to reduce the risk of a hot flash.

However, taking hormone replacement therapy is associated with a greater risk for breast cancer. As a result, most doctors will recommend taking the lowest, most effective dose.

Professional counseling for women going through early menopause is also something that is advised.

Other steps a woman can take to combat the symptoms associated with early menopause include:

Avoiding spicy and hot-temperature foods. These foods can increase the likelihood of a hot flash. Hot weather and stressful events raise the likelihood of hot flashes, as well.

Dressing in layers. Doing so allows for removal of a layer if a woman has a hot flash.

Eating a balanced diet. Early menopause can mean a woman needs more calcium and vitamin D to maintain her bone health. She may need more vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, as well. Eating a balanced, healthful diet usually means women get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Exercising regularly. Getting regular exercise not only relieves stress, it can also promote better sleep at night. However, a woman should avoid exercising too close to bedtime, as this can affect the ability to go to sleep.

Keeping the bedroom cool. Using a fan and keeping the temperature low can ensure a more comfortable sleep.

Using a water-based lubricant during sex. This can reduce painful sex due to lack of vaginal lubrication.

If a woman experiences urinary incontinence related to early menopause, she should talk to her doctor. Recommendations include interventions such as drinking less as the day goes on, or performing Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.

Written by Rachel Nall, RN, BSN, CCRN

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.