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What is menopause? As you approach menopause, your reproductive hormones (e.g. oestrogen) drop. Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. In United States, the average age to reach menopause is 51 to 52.

What is premature menopause? Premature menopause is when you reach menopause before the age of 40.

What is early menopause? Early menopause is when you reach menopause between the ages of 40 and 45. Up to 12% of women have their final period before they are 45.

This percentage is likely to be higher if we include menopause caused by surgery and cancer treatment. Symptoms of premature and early menopause are like those you would experience if you reached menopause at the expected age. Menopausal symptoms can be more severe after surgery or cancer treatment, due to the sudden change in oestrogen levels.

Common symptoms include:

  • You can also experience: What causes premature
  • early menopause? Premature
  • early menopause may be caused by primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)
  • cancer treatment or surgery. POI is when periods stop suddenly at an earlier age than expected. POI affects up to 1% of women

It’s associated with certain autoimmune diseases, but in about 60% of cases a cause can’t be found. The first symptoms of POI may be: treatments can cause the ovaries to stop working, resulting in menopause.

But not all cancer treatments lead to menopause

Menopause happens with removal of the ovaries, with or without the uterus being removed. This surgery may be necessary due to cancer, or other health conditions such as severe If you feel very emotional, anxious or depressed after your diagnosis, it’s important to talk to someone. You can do counselling or join a support group.

Your doctor can refer you to a if needed. People with premature or early menopause have lower levels of oestrogen, which can increase the risk of health conditions such as or the oral contraceptive pill can help to reduce these risks. These treatments should be taken until the expected age of menopause.

), your doctor will discuss your situation and recommend other treatments. Menopause is your final period Symptoms of premature and early menopause hot flushes night sweats sleep problems mood changes brain fog headaches or migraines sore breasts dry vagina reduced sex drive (libido) itchy skin aches and pains weight gain tiredness Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) irregular periods no periods after stopping the oral contraceptive pill inability to get pregnant Cancer treatment Chemotherapy and radiotherapy Surgical menopause endometriosis After a diagnosis Premature or early menopause can be very upsetting.

It’s normal to feel a sense of loss, sadness and grief.

You may also have mixed feelings about your body image , fertility , and sexuality psychologist Managing premature and early menopause Depending on your situation, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as an endocrinologist , gynaecologist , fertility specialist , psychologist or psychiatrist osteoporosis and heart disease Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) If you cannot take hormone therapy (e.g. you have a history of breast cancer More information For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Where to get help GP (doctor) Gynaecologist Endocrinologist Jean Hailes for Women’s Health .

Key Points

  • This percentage is likely to be higher if we include menopause caused by surgery and cancer treatment
  • Menopausal symptoms can be more severe after surgery or cancer treatment, due to the sudden change in oestrogen levels
  • It’s associated with certain autoimmune diseases, but in about 60% of cases a cause can’t be found
  • first symptoms of POI may be: treatments can cause the ovaries to stop working, resulting in menopause
  • But not all cancer treatments lead to menopause