Early Menopause
When menopause occurs determines whether it is premature or early menopause. Before the age of 40, a woman experiences premenopause. When a woman experiences early menopause, it means she does so before age 45. When a woman experiences menopause earlier than is normally anticipated, this is referred to as premature or early menopause. Women who have either may be unable to get pregnant. Primary ovarian insufficiency(POI) is the term used when there isn't a clear surgical or medical reason for the premature menopause. Premature ovarian insufficiency is yet another name for primary ovarian insufficiency.
What signs or symptoms point to an early menopause?
As soon as you start experiencing irregular periods or periods that are notably longer or shorter than your average cycle, you may be in the early stages of menopause.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
periods with heavy bleeding and spotting that continue more than a week or a prolonged interval between cycles
In these situations, speak with your doctor to rule out any other conditions that could be the source of your symptoms.
Other typical menopausal symptoms include:
- a hot flash/ cold flashes
- Urge to urinate more often
- dry vagina
- Insomnia
- mood swings
CAUSES
- AIDS and HIV.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Having the uterus surgically removed (hysterectomy).
- A side effect of radiation or chemotherapy.
- Undergoing a procedure to remove the ovaries.
- Having a family history of early menopause.
DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor will perform a number of tests and ask you questions to help diagnose premature or early menopause if you start to experience symptoms before the age of 40. These tests might be:
- requesting information on your menstrual cycle's regularity.
- early discussion about your family's menopause history.
- checking the levels of your hormones (estrogen and gonadotrophin).
- Searching for additional medical issues that might be causing your symptoms.