• is when your final menstrual period happens before the age of 45”.³

Some women experience menopause earlier than 45 years because of:

• Surgery that removes the ovaries
• Cancer treatments (e.g. chemotherapy, some types of radiotherapy)
• Some autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
• Some genetic disorders (e.g. Fragile X, Turner’s syndrome)
• Some infections (e.g. mumps, HIV)
• A family history of early menopause
• Menstrual periods that started before the age of 11.

One way you can lower your risk of premature or early menopause is to make sure you don’t smoke”.⁴

You might have more severe symptoms because you have a more sudden drop in hormone levels”.⁶

Early menopause also means spending more years without estrogen. Estrogen plays an important role in bone and heart health. Loss of estrogen can increase your risk for:

• Osteoporosis
• Heart disease
• Depression

Various neurological diseases, like dementia and Parkinson’s disease”.⁷

• Endocrinologists (doctors who specialise in hormones)
• Gynaecologists (doctors who specialise in reproductive health, or how the ovaries, uterus and vagina works)
• Psychologists (a health care professional who specialises in emotional health).

You should also see your own doctor regularly over the years to check your health needs, medicines and any health risks”.¹⁰

But some women with early or premature menopause may also have:

• …Sadness or depression over the early loss of fertility or the change in their bodies. Talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms of depression, including less energy or a lack of interest in things you once enjoyed that lasts longer than a few weeks. They can recommend specialists to help you understand and cope with your feelings. Your health care provider can also discuss options, such as adoption or donor egg programs, if you want to have children”.¹¹