Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEarly vs. Premature MenopauseSymptomsCausesEffectsSelf-CareHormone TherapyPostmenopause

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Early vs. Premature Menopause

Symptoms

Causes

Effects

Self-Care

Hormone Therapy

Postmenopause

About 5% of people who menstruate experience early menopause, which means menopause happens between ages 40 and 45.Early menopause can occur as a natural phenomenon or medical interventions can induce it. Some lifestyle habits and health conditions can also increase a person’s chances of early menopause.

Menopauseis a natural part of the aging process.It occurs when a person stops having menstrual periods and can no longer becomepregnant. Menopause is defined as not having amenstrual periodfor 12 straight months.

The average age for menopause in the United States is 51.However, the transitional phase into menopause, calledperimenopause, begins earlier and typically lasts about four to eight years.

This article will explain what early menopause is, why it happens, and how to care for yourself if you experience menopause during your younger years.

Menopause

Early Menopause, Different From Premature Menopause

The difference between early menopause andpremature menopausehas to do with the age of onset. While early menopause happens between ages 40 and 45, premature menopause occurs before age 40.

With both conditions, a person’s ovaries stop making hormones, and their periods stop at a younger age. Early menopause and premature menopause have many of the same causes and risk factors.

Another condition, calledprimary ovarian insufficiency, is sometimes confused with early or premature menopause. However, this condition is different in that a person’s periods stop suddenly but may return.

People with primary ovarian insufficiency might still menstruate, ovulate, and become pregnant. On the contrary, those who go through early or premature menopause don’t menstruate or ovulate and can’t become pregnant naturally.

It’s possible to become pregnant within vitro fertilization (IVT)after menopause, with the use of donor eggs.Adoption and surrogacy are other options for postmenopausal individuals wanting to have children.

Menopause: Not a Medical ConditionMenopause is considered a natural milestone associated with aging, while primary ovarian insufficiency is a medical condition that happens when a person’s ovaries stop working properly.

Menopause: Not a Medical Condition

Menopause is considered a natural milestone associated with aging, while primary ovarian insufficiency is a medical condition that happens when a person’s ovaries stop working properly.

How Do You Know You’re in Early Menopause?

You’ll know you’re in full-blown, early menopause if you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months and are between ages 40 and 45.However, if you’re in perimenopause, you may have irregular menstrual cycles or periods that are heavier or lighter than usual as your body transitions into menopause.

People in early menopause might experience many of the usual symptoms of menopause, which include:

Weight Gain and Early MenopauseWeight gain is common in menopause. Declining estrogen levels as the ovaries slow its production are one factor in why this occurs.

Weight Gain and Early Menopause

Weight gain is common in menopause. Declining estrogen levels as the ovaries slow its production are one factor in why this occurs.

Why Early Menopause Happens

Some causes and risk factors associated with early menopause include:

In many cases, there’s no identifiable cause for early menopause.

How Soon Can You Begin Early Menopause?Though it’s rare, menopause can happen to people in their 20s.

How Soon Can You Begin Early Menopause?

Though it’s rare, menopause can happen to people in their 20s.

Effects of Early Menopause

People who experience early menopause are more likely to have more severe symptoms of menopause.

Because they lose normal amounts of estrogen earlier, they also have a higher risk of developing:

However, some evidence suggests early menopause may actually protect people from developing estrogen-feeding cancers, such asbreast cancer.

Early Menopause and Dementia RiskSome research has suggested that early menopause may be a risk factor forAlzheimer’s disease, but people who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the age of menopause don’t have a higher risk.

Early Menopause and Dementia Risk

Some research has suggested that early menopause may be a risk factor forAlzheimer’s disease, but people who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the age of menopause don’t have a higher risk.

Self-Care in Early Menopause

Taking care of yourself is important if you are experiencing early menopause. Be sure to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption, abstain from smoking, and rest when tired.

Also, ensure you get enough calcium and vitamin D to prevent bone thinning. You need about 1,200 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily from food sources or supplements. You require 800 to 1,000 international units (IU) a day for vitamin D.

If you have vaginal dryness or reduced sex drive, a healthcare provider might recommend certain medications, creams, or moisturizers to improve your symptoms.

Menopause Diet: Foods to Support Changing Hormone Levels

Hormone Therapy in Early Menopause

Health providers often recommendHRTfor people going through early menopause until age 51.However, this treatment may not be an option for certain individuals, including those with breast cancer.

How Do You Take HRT?HRT comes as a tablet, gel, patch, spray, or implant.

How Do You Take HRT?

HRT comes as a tablet, gel, patch, spray, or implant.

After Early Menopause: Postmenopause

Practicing healthy lifestyle habits is also important during the postmenopausal phase. After menopause, a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke increases.

Regular exercise can help control weight, improve mood, and protect the heart and bones against damage. It’s also a good idea to practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Summary

Early menopause happens when a person goes through menopause between ages 40 and 45. Though experiencing menopause at an earlier age may put you at risk for certain health conditions, it can also protect you from others, such as breast cancer.

Your healthcare provider can recommend appropriate treatments to ease unwanted symptoms and lessen your risk of developing related medical problems. It’s important to practice healthy habits before, during, and after menopause.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Early or premature menopause.The North American Menopause Society.Menopause 101: a primer for the perimenopausal.MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Moutos CP, Rasouli MA, Phelps JY.Postmenopausal pregnancy in the era of assisted reproductive technologies.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(1):154-160. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003877National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Kozakowski J, Gietka-Czernel M, Leszczyńska D, Majos A.Obesity in menopause - our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability?Prz Menopauzalny. 2017;16(2):61-65. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68594NHS Inform.Early and premature menopause.Liao H, Cheng J, Pan D, et al.Association of earlier age at menopause with risk of incident dementia, brain structural indices and the potential mediators: a prospective community-based cohort study.EClinicalMedicine. 2023;60:102033. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102033Susan G. Komen.Research table: Age at menopause and breast cancer risk.Coughlan GT, Betthauser TJ, Boyle R, et al.Association of age at menopause and hormone therapy use with tau and β-amyloid positron emission tomography.JAMA Neurology. 2023;80(5):462-473. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0455Mount Sinai.Managing menopause at home.Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Mount Sinai.Menopause.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Office on Women’s Health.Early or premature menopause.The North American Menopause Society.Menopause 101: a primer for the perimenopausal.MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Moutos CP, Rasouli MA, Phelps JY.Postmenopausal pregnancy in the era of assisted reproductive technologies.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(1):154-160. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003877National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Kozakowski J, Gietka-Czernel M, Leszczyńska D, Majos A.Obesity in menopause - our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability?Prz Menopauzalny. 2017;16(2):61-65. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68594NHS Inform.Early and premature menopause.Liao H, Cheng J, Pan D, et al.Association of earlier age at menopause with risk of incident dementia, brain structural indices and the potential mediators: a prospective community-based cohort study.EClinicalMedicine. 2023;60:102033. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102033Susan G. Komen.Research table: Age at menopause and breast cancer risk.Coughlan GT, Betthauser TJ, Boyle R, et al.Association of age at menopause and hormone therapy use with tau and β-amyloid positron emission tomography.JAMA Neurology. 2023;80(5):462-473. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0455Mount Sinai.Managing menopause at home.Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Mount Sinai.Menopause.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Office on Women’s Health.Early or premature menopause.The North American Menopause Society.Menopause 101: a primer for the perimenopausal.MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.Moutos CP, Rasouli MA, Phelps JY.Postmenopausal pregnancy in the era of assisted reproductive technologies.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(1):154-160. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003877National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Kozakowski J, Gietka-Czernel M, Leszczyńska D, Majos A.Obesity in menopause - our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability?Prz Menopauzalny. 2017;16(2):61-65. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68594NHS Inform.Early and premature menopause.Liao H, Cheng J, Pan D, et al.Association of earlier age at menopause with risk of incident dementia, brain structural indices and the potential mediators: a prospective community-based cohort study.EClinicalMedicine. 2023;60:102033. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102033Susan G. Komen.Research table: Age at menopause and breast cancer risk.Coughlan GT, Betthauser TJ, Boyle R, et al.Association of age at menopause and hormone therapy use with tau and β-amyloid positron emission tomography.JAMA Neurology. 2023;80(5):462-473. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0455Mount Sinai.Managing menopause at home.Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.Mount Sinai.Menopause.

Office on Women’s Health.Early or premature menopause.

The North American Menopause Society.Menopause 101: a primer for the perimenopausal.

MedlinePlus.Primary ovarian insufficiency.

Moutos CP, Rasouli MA, Phelps JY.Postmenopausal pregnancy in the era of assisted reproductive technologies.Obstet Gynecol. 2020;136(1):154-160. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000003877

National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?

Kozakowski J, Gietka-Czernel M, Leszczyńska D, Majos A.Obesity in menopause - our negligence or an unfortunate inevitability?Prz Menopauzalny. 2017;16(2):61-65. doi:10.5114/pm.2017.68594

NHS Inform.Early and premature menopause.

Liao H, Cheng J, Pan D, et al.Association of earlier age at menopause with risk of incident dementia, brain structural indices and the potential mediators: a prospective community-based cohort study.EClinicalMedicine. 2023;60:102033. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102033

Susan G. Komen.Research table: Age at menopause and breast cancer risk.

Coughlan GT, Betthauser TJ, Boyle R, et al.Association of age at menopause and hormone therapy use with tau and β-amyloid positron emission tomography.JAMA Neurology. 2023;80(5):462-473. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0455

Mount Sinai.Managing menopause at home.

Office on Women’s Health.Menopause symptoms and relief.

Mount Sinai.Menopause.

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