“Symptoms of premature and early menopause are like those you would experience if you reached menopause at the expected age of 51–52 years, but symptoms can…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Early Menopause Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Early Menopause
- Premature Menopause
Early Menopause and Premature Menopause
Is early menopause the same as premature menopause?
In Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause the (Scottish) NHS Inform explain:
“Menopause before the age of 45 is called early menopause. Menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause”.2
Early Menopause
What is early menopause?
Depending on the Source (DotS) the definition of early menopause may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:
Symptoms
Are the symptoms of early menopause basically the same as for menopause?
Yes and no. In Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause the JH explain:
Cause
What causes early menopause?
In Early or Premature Menopause: What Causes Early or Premature Menopause? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:
Reasons for early or premature menopause can include:
- Family history…
- Smoking…
- Chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatments for cancer…
- Surgery to remove the ovaries…
- Surgery to remove the uterus…
- Certain health conditions…
- Autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease and rheumatoid arthritis…
- HIV and AIDS…
- Missing chromosomes…
- Chronic fatigue syndrome…”.5
Common or Not
How common is early menopause?
In Premature and Early Menopause the JH note:
Heart Disease
Is there an association between heart disease and early menopause?
In Coronary Heart Disease: Women and Heart Disease – Why Does Coronary Heart Disease Affect Women Differently? the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute note:
- “Hormone changes may affect a woman’s risk for coronary heart disease. Before menopause, the hormone estrogen provides women with some protection against heart disease. This may be because estrogen keeps the arteries flexible or because estrogen may have beneficial effects on blood lipids. As women age, though, their risk for coronary heart disease increases, and menopausal hormone therapy may further increase that risk. Women who experience early menopause, especially after a hysterectomy, are more likely to develop heart disease than women of the same age who have not yet experienced menopause”.7
Depression
Is there an association between depression and early menopause?
The (Australian) Beyondblue explain:
Activities such as eating well and keeping active – and doing the things you enjoy – are key to improving your wellbeing during menopause”.8
In Premature and Early Menopause: Managing Premature and Early Menopause – Emotional Wellbeing the JH elaborate on:
Hormone Therapy
What is one of the highlights about early menopause included in the 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of the North American Menopause Society?
On page one in The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement, published 07 July 2022, one of the highlights is:
- “Women with primary ovarian insufficiency and premature or early menopause have higher risks of bone loss, heart disease, and cognitive or affective disorders associated with estrogen deficiency. It is recommended that hormone therapy can be used until at least the mean age of menopause unless there is a contraindication to its use”.10
Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk
What is one of the recommendations included in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause?
On page two in the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:
- “Women with POI and early menopause (40–45 years old) should be advised that HRT is unlikely to increase risk of breast cancer in younger menopausal women under the age of 50”.11
What is POI?
POI in this context is an abbreviation for Premature Ovarian Insufficiency.
Hormone Therapy Alternatives
What if I am not able to have hormonal treatment?
In Early Menopause: Treatments for Early Menopause the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:
The GP will talk to you about other treatment options and lifestyle changes you can make to help protect your health.
If you’re still getting symptoms, the GP can refer you to a specialist menopause centre”.12
Who is a GP?
DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.
Health Care Provider
What if I think I have early menopause?
If you think you have early menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
In Premature and Early Menopause the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) note:
The EMAS also note:
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Early Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Early Menopause?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Exploring the Triggers of Premature and Early Menopause In India: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on National Family Health Survey, 2019-2021 [06 February 2024]
- New Guidelines for Early Menopause Diagnosis and Management [08 March 2024]
- Optimising Health After Early Menopause [05 March 2024]
- Therapy Could Be Effective Treatment for Non-Physical Symptoms of Menopause [28 February 2024]
- Video Series-2023: Premature and Early Menopause
- Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- Association of Age At Menopause and Hormone Therapy Use With Tau and β-Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography
- Association of Plant-Based Diet and Early Onset of Natural Menopause
- BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
- BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
- BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle
- BMS TV: Osteoporosis
- BMS TV: Testosterone Explained
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Bone Health In Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency/Early Menopause: A 23-Year Longitudinal Analysis
- Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
- Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
- Care, Choice, Complexities: The Circulations of Hormone Therapy In Early Menopause
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Daisy Network [United Kingdom]
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Dr Louise Newson: The Truth About the Menopause & HRT
- Early Menopause
- Early Menopause
- Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
- Early and Premature Menopause [Video]
- Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
- Early Natural Menopause Is Associated With Poor Lung Health and Increased Mortality Among Female Smokers
- Early or Premature Menopause
- Earlymenopause.org.nz [Early Menopause Support Group, New Zealand]
- Exploring the Triggers of Premature and Early Menopause In India: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on National Family Health Survey, 2019-2021
- Factors Affecting Women: Menopause
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
- Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Brain Fog? Here’s What We Know About Phytoestrogens for Menopausal Symptoms
- How Menopause Impacts Your Health
- I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause: Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
- Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause]
- Lynchsyndrome.org.au
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
- Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
- Menopause Mindfulness: Understanding the Many Paths To Menopause
- Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
- Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
- Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
- Menopause and Mental Health
- Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP #256
- Mood and the Menopause
- Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
- Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
- New Guidelines for Early Menopause Diagnosis and Management
- Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Optimising Health After Early Menopause
- Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]
- Premature Ovarian Failure
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause
- Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause
- Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
- Study Author on Early Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
- Study Author on Early Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy
- The Lancet: Series From the Lancet Journal – Menopause 2024
- The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
- Therapy Could Be Effective Treatment for Non-Physical Symptoms of Menopause
- Therapy for the Effects of Menopause
- Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
- Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
- Vaginal Dryness
- Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
- Video Series-2023: Menopause and Heart Disease
- Video Series-2023: NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
- Video Series-2023: New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
- Video Series-2023: Premature and Early Menopause
- Video Series-2024: Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
- Webinars: Previous – Approach To Bone Health In the Perimenopause and Postmenopause?
- Webinars: Previous – Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause
- Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
- What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
- What Is Lynch Syndrome?
- When Menopause Comes Early: Symptoms & Treatment
- Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
- World Menopause Day
- World Menopause Day [18 October 2023]: Patient Information Leaflet
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted above?
You may find the Sources at:
Sources
- Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause. Last Updated: 22 March 2023. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/early-and-premature-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Early or Premature Menopause: What Causes Early or Premature Menopause? Page Last Updated: 29 December 2022. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-or-premature-menopause Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Coronary Heart Disease: Women and Heart Disease – Why Does Coronary Heart Disease Affect Women Differently? Last Updated 07 December 2023. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease/women#Why-does-coronary-heart-disease-affect-women-differently? Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Factors Affecting Women: Menopause. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women/factors-affecting-women Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause: Managing Premature and Early Menopause – Emotional Wellbeing. Last Updated: 07 December 2023 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 18 January 2024
- The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement. 07 July 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/press-release/ht-position-statement-release.pdf Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Hamoda, H., Mukherjee, A., Morris, E., Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P., Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:2. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Early Menopause: Treatments for Early Menopause. Page Last Reviewed: 02 February 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-menopause/#treatments-for-early-menopause Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Premature-and-early-menopause.pdf Accessed: 18 January 2024
- Premature and Early Menopause. 2022. European Menopause and Andropause Society https://emas-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Premature-and-early-menopause.pdf Accessed: 18 January 2024