Early Menopause: Why it Happens, Risks Involved – and How to Navigate Through It

Many of us women bemoan the arrival of our periods and the days that precede it. The bloating, the mood swings, the tension, the cramps—most wish we could kick menstruation to the curb and instead maintain that post-period bliss that gives us a surge in energy, creativity and radiance.

On the opposite side of the coin, though, early menopause can trigger just as many uncomfortable symptoms and make us long for our periods instead.

Yet, what is early menopause, exactly? Why does it occur, and are risks associated with it? Perhaps most of all, is there any way to avoid early menopause altogether? Let’s examine it from top to bottom so that you can have a better understanding of your menstrual health.

What is early menopause?

The word “menopause” is often used to describe the inevitable stage of a woman’s life when her female organs head towards retirement and the increase in symptoms that accompany it, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Headaches
• Night sweats
• Brain fog
• Changes in libido
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain

Menopause, however, is technically defined as the point 12 months after a woman experiences her last period, while those symptoms just mentioned characterize perimenopause, or the years when a woman’s ovaries start slowing down and hormone levels dip and rise. Also referred to as the “menopausal transition,” it marks the time (typically 8 to 10 years) before one’s final period.

For many women, perimenopause commences between the ages of 43 and 47; the average age of menopause is 51. But some may experience the signs of their reproductive organs slowing down and their last period much sooner:

• Premature menopause refers to menopause that occurs before the age of 40
• Early menopause characterizes menopause that’s reached between the ages of 40 and 45

While relatively rare—roughly 12 percent of women experience early menopause, and only one percent of women will have their last period before they turn 40—the repercussions for women can be challenging and even devastating, from feeling isolated from their peers to battling depression and anxiety. Even more worrisome? Premature and early menopause can heighten your vulnerability to a handful of health conditions (more on this in a moment).

What are the causes of early menopause?

Half of a decade (which can feel like a lifetime for some) may exist between premature and early menopause but the causes are the same. In addition to the surgical removal of the ovaries (due to, say, cancer, or a hysterectomy), a few of the most common causes boil down to:

Genetics

Medical professionals don’t quite understand the role that genetics may play in premature and early menopause; however, if your mother went through menopause at a younger age, there’s a chance you might as well.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, may also render you more susceptible to premature or early menopause. One theory is that estrogen is stored in fat, and those who are underweight may experience insufficient estrogen production, thereby ushering in menopause at a younger age. And yet, it’s also important to keep in mind that eating disorders are closely associated with amenorrhea, or the temporary cessation of your period, which is distinct from the complete cessation of menstruation that characterizes menopause.

In other words? It’s vital to book an appointment with your healthcare provider to distinguish between the two (and, perhaps, receive the professional help you may need).

Autoimmune conditions

Cleveland Clinic is one expert from a pool of many who has indicated a link between premature and early menopause and autoimmune conditions like thyroid disease, Chron’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. What is the connection between the two? The quick answer is that primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)—a condition in which the ovaries stop operating as they should before the age of 40—is often associated with immune conditions.

Other possible causes include:

• Lifestyle factors, such as smoking
• Chemotherapy or radiation to treat cancer
• Having your first period before the age of 11
• Certain infections, such as the mumps
• HIV/AIDS
• Chronic fatigue syndrome (or what’s commonly now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis)
• Chromosomal abnormalities (i.e., Turner’s syndrome)

All of that said, roughly half of early or premature menopause are caused by unknown factors.

What are the health risks associated with early menopause?

Picture it: You’re 42 years old and have had the children you long desired, or you’ve come to the decision to not have children at all. Missing out on the last nine years or so of having a period shouldn’t be that big of a deal, right?

Not entirely. Studies indicate that women who undergo menopause at a younger age may be at a substantially higher risk of several complications, including:

• Osteoporosis (and an increased lifetime risk of fractures)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Cognitive disorders (such as Alzheimer’s and dementia)
• Depression

Why is this the case?

The predominant theory suggests that reproductive hormones—namely, estrogen—have neuroprotective and anti-aging characteristics that help shield the heart, bones, brain, and body as a whole. When estrogen levels plummet during menopause, whether that happens prematurely or at the average age, women become more susceptible to these complications. Women who experience menopause in their 30s or early 40s are, thus, exposed to this diminished protection (if you will) for a longer period of time and may see it emerge in their well-being.

Additionally, women who are faced with early or premature menopause may experience urinary incontinence. This is caused by diminished estrogen, which may weaken the urethra. What’s more, early or premature menopause—or menopause, period (pun intended)—may affect your sex life though common menopause-related culprits like vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness and a dip in your libido.

How can you manage early menopause?

Experiencing menopause a decade or more before you thought you would can be extremely difficult for some women, particularly those who were hoping to have a family. In addition to seeking out professional counsel if you feel anxious or depressed, you may want to speak with your doctor about hormone therapy. As Yale Medicine asserts, unless there’s a reason you can’t safely take hormones (such as breast cancer in the past), you may benefit from menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). Previously referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), MHT may:

• Relieve the occasionally-uncomfortable symptoms typical of menopause
• Encourage cardiovascular health
• Nourish vascular, cognitive, vaginal and bone health

Bear in mind that MHT is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, a conscientious, thoughtful doctor will work closely with you to determine what’s best for your circumstances.

Can you prevent early or premature menopause?

Within all of this, you may be asking, can I dodge early or premature menopause?

It depends on who you ask. Some medical professionals indicate that the only thing you may have control over is to quit smoking (if it applies to you). Others, however, say that choosing to breastfeed (again, if it applies to you) may help lower your chances of early menopause.

You might also want to consider:

Adhering to a healthy diet

Although the research may be somewhat thin, some studies show that a diet high in omega-3s and antioxidants may defer early menopause, the idea behind it being that nutrients from such eats may protect the ovaries. Another study demonstrated that women whose diets consisted of healthy fare like fish, beans, and other legumes experienced menopause at a later age. This translates to a diet rich in foods like salmon, mackerel, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, as well as pecans, blueberries, kale, spinach and dark chocolate.

Obtaining frequent exercise

Can sweating it out in yoga sculpt help you dodge early or premature menopause and the health conditions that may come with it? Not necessarily. Nor does vigorous exercise bump up your risk of early menopause, as researchers once thought. Yet, exercise does promote hormone balance, which can help mitigate the symptoms of menopause at any age.