What is premature menopause?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Most women will go through menopause naturally, usually between the ages of 47 and 55. For some women though, it comes even earlier. When that happens it’s known as premature menopause.
It can happen naturally, or sometimes the cause is unknown. One known cause, however, is premature ovarian failure (POF), a condition that causes estrogen levels to rise and fall unpredictably and sometimes stop altogether. Premature ovarian failure can cause menopause to occur at the age of 40 or younger. It can be genetic or autoimmune, meaning the body mistakenly attacks itself, in this case it's attacking the ovarian tissue. It can also come about from surgical removal of the ovaries or because of cancer therapies that inadvertently damage the ovaries.
Most women will go through menopause naturally, usually between the ages of 47 and 55. For some women though, it comes even earlier. When that happens it’s known as premature menopause.It can happen naturally, or sometimes the cause is... More -
Patricia Geraghty answered:When menopause occurs in women 40 years old or younger, it is "premature." This may be caused by surgical removal of the ovaries, damage to the ovaries from medication such as chemotherapy, or it may be spontaneous. Women with premature menopause should see their clinician to confirm the diagnosis. As the ovaries of these women no longer produce hormones, they may benefit from using hormone therapy.
A large group of women in the Nurses Health Study who chose to have their ovaries removed when they were having hysterectomies for reasons other than cancer were compared to women who kept their ovaries. After analysing almost 30,000 women, the women who kept their ovaries had better health in the years following surgery. Specifically, they had less cancer and less hip fractures. This reassures us that using hormones in the age group of women who experience premature menopause is more likely to benefit their health than to cause harm. Each women needs to make this decision based on her personal health and health risks.When menopause occurs in women 40 years old or younger, it is "premature." This may be caused by surgical removal of the ovaries, damage to the ovaries from medication such as chemotherapy, or it may be spontaneous. Women with premature menopause... More -
Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:Premature menopause occurs when your ovaries stop releasing eggs before you turn 40. It can occur naturally or be induced by surgery such as a hysterectomy and oophorectomy, removal of your uterus and ovaries. Premature menopause includes symptoms such as flashes, night sweat, and mood swings.
If you experience premature menopause naturally, you may no longer be able to conceive children. Talk to your doctor about other options for conception if you experience premature menopause.
Premature menopause occurs when your ovaries stop releasing eggs before you turn 40. It can occur naturally or be induced by surgery such as a hysterectomy and oophorectomy, removal of your uterus and ovaries. Premature menopause includes... More -
Riverside Women's Health answered:Menopause is called "premature" if it happens at or before the age of 40. For some women, it happens naturally. This could be due to family history of premature menopause. For other women, it is brought on by medical means, such as:
Medical treatments, such as surgery to remove the ovaries Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvic area that damage the ovaries — although menopause does not always occurFor women who want to have children, premature menopause can be a Source: of great distress. Women who still want to become pregnant can talk with their doctors about other ways of having children, such as donor egg programs or adoption.
Having premature menopause puts a woman at more risk for osteoporosis later in her life. If you have premature menopause, talk to your doctor about whether MHT might be an option for you. We don't know for sure how MHT might affect younger women. But some researchers think that for these younger women, the risks of MHT use are likely to be smaller and the benefits greater than those in older women who begin MHT at or beyond the typical age of menopause.
This answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.
Menopause is called "premature" if it happens at or before the age of 40. For some women, it happens naturally. This could be due to family history of premature menopause. For other women, it is brought on by medical means, such as: Medical... More -
Dr. Julia Schlam Edelman answered:Premature menopause refers to the cessation of menstrual periods and the end of fertility before the age of 40. This can occur naturally or as a consequence of radiation or chemotherapy. Survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to experience premature menopause.Premature menopause refers to the cessation of menstrual periods and the end of fertility before the age of 40. This can occur naturally or as a consequence of radiation or chemotherapy. Survivors of childhood cancer are more likely to... More -
RealAge answered:When menopause occurs in women under the age of 40, it is called premature menopause. It can be caused by medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, by disturbances in the hormonal signaling system, or by disease. The symptoms of premature menopause are the same as those occurring during normal menopause.
When menopause occurs in women under the age of 40, it is called premature menopause. It can be caused by medical treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy, by disturbances in the hormonal signaling system, or by disease. The symptoms of... More -
Premature menopause is often caused by surgical menopause. It's the result of having to remove both ovaries or what is called a bilateral oophorectomy. A woman’s ovaries produce female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, and after surgery, the sudden drop in these hormones can produce menopausal symptoms that can be more severe than they might be during natural menopause.
The most common reasons a woman may have her ovaries removed include
- Cancer (including endometrial or ovarian cancer)
- Hysterectomy (although not all hysterectomies result in oophorectomy)
- Endometriosis, a condition when cells from the womb lining grow outside the uterus causing pain at many points during a woman’s cycle
- Myomectomy, the removal of uterine fibroids, non-cancerous tumors that grow into the uterine wall and may cause excessive bleeding, pain, or infertility
- Treatment for other infections or conditions
As a result of surgical menopause, it’s likely that the signs and symptoms of menopause may come on quickly and powerfully. Though some doctors still prescribe estrogen to prevent or control these intense changes, the use of synthetic hormones has become controversial during the past decade since studies have shown that hormone replacement causes an increased risk of heart disease and some cancers.
Premature menopause is often caused by surgical menopause. It's the result of having to remove both ovaries or what is called a bilateral oophorectomy. A woman’s ovaries produce female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, and after surgery,... More
