Menopause is inevitable for most women in their 50s, but if you’re experiencing the symptoms years earlier, it’s time to find out why.
Our board-certified specialists at The Endocrine Center in Houston, Texas, can help you get to the bottom of your premature hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other classic menopause symptoms and help you manage or resolve them.
We encourage you to read this guide on early menopause and to schedule a visit with one of our menopause experts.
Menopause typically occurs in women in their late 40s to early 50s. The average age for menopause onset in the United States is around age 51, but it varies significantly due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. You may go through a few false starts and stops, but it’s official after 12 consecutive months without a period.
Most women experience a transitional phase known as perimenopause before reaching menopause. This stage includes hormonal fluctuations that cause irregular periods, hot flashes, and other symptoms, and it can start several years before menopause.
Perimenopause can begin as early as the mid-30s or as late as the early 50s, and many women mistake perimenopause for menopause.
Early and premature menopause cause the same hormonal changes as those who reach menopause at a typical age but at a younger stage in life.
Early menopause is when you enter menopause before age 45; it can occur naturally or stem from medical treatments like surgery or chemotherapy. Premature menopause occurs before age 40; it’s less common than early menopause and can be more challenging to diagnose.
The terms "early menopause" and "premature ovarian failure" might seem interchangeable, but they describe different medical conditions.
As we mentioned, early menopause is a natural decline in your reproductive hormones before age 45. It happens when your ovaries gradually reduce estrogen production, stopping your menstrual periods.
While early menopause is a natural process for some, medical interventions — such as surgery to remove the ovaries or treatments like chemotherapy and radiation — can trigger it.
Premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), is when your ovaries stop functioning correctly before age 40.
Unlike early menopause, POF makes your ovaries stop functioning consistently, but they still function. You may still have occasional menstrual periods and ovulation but struggle with fertility. Causes of POF include genetic factors, autoimmune diseases, and certain infections.
To diagnose early menopause or POF, we perform a series of medical evaluations, including blood tests, to measure hormone levels and assess the function of your ovaries.
We develop a treatment plan based on the underlying cause. You may benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lifestyle modifications, and addressing other health problems.
Several factors, from genetics to lifestyle choices, can contribute to early menopause.
If your mother or other close female relatives experienced early menopause, you might be more likely to do so as well. Genetic mutations in specific genes, such as the FMR1 gene, can also increase the risk of early menopause.
Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) can induce early menopause, and cancer treatments can damage the ovaries and accelerate the onset of menopause.
Smoking can accelerate ovarian aging and can lead to early menopause. Excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and chronic stress can affect hormonal balance and reproductive health, too.
HRT can’t stop or reverse menopause at any age, but it can help you manage the uncomfortable symptoms.
It supplements your body with estrogen and, in some cases, progesterone to alleviate menopausal symptoms. You can take it as a pill, wear a patch, or use topical gels and creams to reduce hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and other symptoms associated with menopause.
Genetics and biology determine the timing of menopause. HRT doesn’t change that natural process, but it can reduce your risk of osteoporosis. Unfortunately, HRT may also increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, and certain cancers.
If you suspect early menopause or POF, call The Endocrine Center at one of our three Houston locations, or request an appointment online.
