Premature Menopause

“Menopause, whether natural or induced, is called premature when it happens at age 40 or younger. This occurs in about 1% of women in the United States”.1

Umbrella
What may the Premature Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Premature Menopause
  • Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
  • Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Premature Menopause and Early Menopause

Early MenopausePremature MenopauseIs premature menopause the same as early menopause?

In Menopause: Who Experiences Menopause? the (United States) Hormone Health Network’s elaborate on:

“In the United States, the average age for menopause is 51 for non-smokers and 49 for smokers, with a typical age range somewhere between 47 and 55 years. Some women experience menopause sooner — before age 45 is considered early menopause, and before age 40 is considered premature menopause”.2

Terminology

Are premature menopause, premature ovarian failure and/or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) the same?

In What Is POI: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the (United Kingdom) Daisy Network explain:

“Premature menopause, premature ovarian failure and/or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are terms that are generally used to describe the same condition, whatever the cause. The words are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing at first. There is no internationally agreed wording, however the newer term for the condition is premature ovarian insufficiency, which may describe it more accurately as the ovaries may not have irreversibly ‘failed’ and premature ovarian insufficiency has important differences from the ‘normal’ menopause which occurs at an average age of 51”.3

Premature Menopause

What is premature menopause?

DotS the definition of premature menopause may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

Premature Menopause“‘Premature menopause’ is when the final menstrual period occurs before a woman is 40”.4

The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“A. Menopause, whether natural or induced, is called premature when it happens at age 40 or younger. This occurs in about 1% of women in the United States”.5

Premature Ovarian Failure

What is premature ovarian failure (POF)?

DotS the definition of POF may vary. In Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Definitions and Epidemiology the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) explain:

“Menopause occurring between 40-45 years of age is called early menopause, with spontaneous early menopause affecting approximately 12% of women”.6

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

What is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)?

DotS the definition of POI may vary. In Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency the AMS elaborate on:

Premature Menopause

“Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a loss of function of the ovaries in women who are less than 40 years of age. The ovaries do not release eggs regularly and do not produce usual amounts of oestrogen.

Women with spontaneous POI have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women may or may not have menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.

Up to 4% of women will spontaneously have POI and enter menopause before the age of 40. Spontaneous early menopause (menopause between 40 and 45 years) affects approximately 12 in every 100 women.7

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Primary ovarian insufficiency — also called premature ovarian failure — occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40. When this happens, your ovaries don’t produce normal amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition often leads to infertility”.8

Premature Menopause and POI

How is premature menopause different from POI?

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic note:

“Primary ovarian insufficiency is sometimes confused with premature menopause, but these conditions aren’t the same. Women with primary ovarian insufficiency can have irregular or occasional periods for years and might even get pregnant. But women with premature menopause stop having periods and can’t become pregnant”.9

In Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:

“POI is different from premature menopause. With premature menopause, your periods stop before age 40. You can no longer get pregnant. The cause can be natural or it can be a disease, surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. With POI, some women still have occasional periods. They may even get pregnant. In most cases of POI, the cause is unknown”.10

Menopause and POI

How is menopause different from POI?

In Premature & Early Menopause: Terminology – Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) the JH explain:

“When periods stop spontaneously, either prematurely or early, this is referred to as ‘primary ovarian insufficiency’ (POI).

POI is not the same as menopause at the expected age because there is a small possibility that ovarian function may spontaneously resume, whereas this does not happen after expected menopause. Spontaneous pregnancy may occur, especially after the diagnosis has been made, in up to one in 50 women”.11

Premature Menopause Symptoms

Are the symptoms of premature menopause the same as for menopause?

Yes and no. In Premature & Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause. the JH explain:

“Symptoms of premature or early menopause are basically the same as for menopause at the expected age of 51-52; however, they are often more severe”.12

In Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. I’m Only 36 Years Old, and I’ve Already Reached Menopause. What Specific Menopause Information Do I Need? the NAMS note:

“A. Women experiencing premature menopause that is not medically induced go through perimenopause and may have the same symptoms as women with natural menopause, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. However, compared with women who reach menopause at the typical age, women who experience premature menopause—whether natural or induced—spend more years without the benefits of estrogen and are at greater risk for some health problems later in life, such as osteoporosis and heart disease”.13

Premature Menopause Cause

What causes premature menopause?

According to the NAMS:

“Premature menopause that is not induced can be genetic, metabolic, autoimmune, or the result of other poorly understood conditions”.14

In What Is POI: What Causes POI? the Daisy Network elaborate on:

“POI can occur for several reasons. Unfortunately there is still a lot that we don’t understand about POI and in the majority of women (90%), no underlying cause will be found. This type of POI is usually called spontaneous or idiopathic POI. Not knowing why you have developed POI can make it harder to cope psychologically with the diagnosis, however it doesn’t affect the treatment you should be offered. Some of the causes which may be identified include:

  • Auto-Immune Disease…
  • Genetic Causes…
  • Infection…
  • Surgery…
  • Cancer Treatment…”.15

Hormone Therapy

What is one of the points of consensus about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and premature menopause?

One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:

  • “Women experiencing a spontaneous or iatrogenic menopause before the age of 45 years and particularly before 40 years are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and may be at increased risk of affective disorders and dementia. In such women, MHT reduces symptoms and preserves bone density. Observational studies that suggest MHT is associated with reduced risk of heart disease, longer lifespan, and reduced risk of dementia require confirmation in RCTs. MHT is advised at least until the average age of menopause”.16

What is iatrogenic menopause?

DotS the definition of iatrogenic menopause may vary. Iatrogenic menopause can be menopause caused by medical treatments such as chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatments for cancer.

What is RCTs?

RCTs can be an abbreviation for Randomized Controlled Trials.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have premature menopause or POI or POF?

If you think you have premature menopause or POI or POF, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The NAMS note:

“A. …You may need a complete evaluation to diagnose the reason for your menopause—it could be an underlying condition that needs treatment”.17

In Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopause Symptoms – Ongoing Management the JH explain about ongoing management:

“Make regular appointments with your doctor, specialist or specialist clinic to:

  • Monitor your symptoms and therapy
    • Menopausal vaginal changes can make important medical check-ups, such as cervical screening, uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor about available treatments
  • Monitor for the development of any heart disease risks
  • Check your bone density
  • Continue surveillance to exclude the development of other conditions such as problems with your thyroid or an increase in your risk of developing diabetes”.18

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Premature Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Premature Menopause?

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Links

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  1. 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
  2. Anxiety
  3. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  4. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  5. Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
  6. Causes of Menopause
  7. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Early MenopauseComplementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  9. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  10. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
  11. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  12. Daisynetwork.org.uk [Daisy Network]
  13. EMAS Position Statement: Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause [European Menopause and Andropause Society]
  14. Early Menopause
  15. Early Menopause
  16. Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  17. Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  18. Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  19. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  20. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  21. Early or Premature Menopause
  22. Earlymenopause.org.nz [New Zealand Early Menopause Support Group]
  23. Goredforwomen.org [Go Red for Women]
  24. HRT and Breast Cancer: Overall Risks and Benefits Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  25. HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  26. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  27. Heart Disease: It’s Not Just for Men – Questions To Ask Your Doctor
  28. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  29. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  30. Hot Flashes: Manage Without Medication?
  31. Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
  32. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  33. Lynchsyndrome.org.au
  34. MHT and Breast Cancer Risk
  35. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  36. Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Heart Disease? [+ Video]
  38. Premature Menopause Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  39. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  40. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  41. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause: Q. I’m Facing A Hysterectomy With Removal of My Ovaries, So I’m Going To Have An Induced Menopause. Is It Different From Natural Menopause?
  42. Menopause Matters
  43. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  44. Menopause and Depression
  45. Menopause – Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT) Safe? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  46. Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  47. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  48. Menopause: Early (Premature) Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  49. Menopause: Medicines To Help You
  50. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  51. Menopause: Profiles: Early Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  52. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
  53. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  54. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  55. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth – What the Science Says About Complementary Health Approaches for Menopausal Symptoms
  56. Night Sweats
  57. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  58. Osteoporosis Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  59. Personal Stories
  60. Premature & Early Menopause
  61. Premature & Early Menopause – Fact Sheet
  62. Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopausal Symptoms
  63. Premature & Early Menopause: Psychological Wellbeing & Emotions
  64. Premature & Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause
  65. Premature & Early Menopause: Terminology
  66. Premature Menopause Increases Risk of Chronic Health Issues
  67. Premature Ovarian Failure
  68. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  69. Premature and Early Menopause
  70. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
  71. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  72. Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
  73. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  74. Support After Early Menopause
  75. Supporting Women Through Menopause
  76. Surgical Menopause
  77. Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  78. Top Health Checks for Women
  79. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  80. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  81. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  82. Vaginal Dryness
  83. Vaginal Dryness
  84. Video Series-2020 – Bone Health What You Need To Know
  85. Video Series-2020 – What Women Need To Know About Heart Disease
  86. Video Series-2021 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  87. Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
  88. Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
  89. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  90. What Is Lynch Syndrome?
  91. What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
  92. What Is POI (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency)
  93. What It Means To Go Red for Women [+ Video]
  94. Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
  95. Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
  96. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
  97. Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes and Night Sweats Without Hormones [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  98. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2018 – Patient Information Leaflet: Sexual Wellbeing After Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  99. World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
  100. World Menopause Day 2020

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. What Is Premature or Early Menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  2. Menopause: Who Experiences Menopause? Last Updated: September 2016. Hormone Health Network https://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/womens-health/menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  3. What Is POI: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Daisy Network  https://www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/ Accessed: 22 February 2021
  4. Premature & Early Menopause: What Is Premature & Early Menopause? Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 22 February 2021
  5. Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. What Is Premature or Early Menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  6. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Definitions and Epidemiology. Content Updated: September 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/742-spontaneous-premature-ovarian-insufficiency Accessed: 22 February 2021
  7. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Content Updated: October 2020. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/fact-sheets/menopause-before-40-and-spontaneous-poi Accessed: 22 February 2021
  8. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 22 October 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 22 February 2021
  9. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 22 October 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 22 February 2021
  10. Primary Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? Page Last Updated on: 18 November 2020. Topic Last Reviewed: 16 June 2016. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html Accessed: 22 February 2021
  11. Premature & Early Menopause: Terminology – Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 22 February 2021
  12. Premature & Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 22 February 2021
  13. Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. I’m Only 36 Years Old, and I’ve Already Reached Menopause. What Specific Menopause Information Do I Need? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  14. Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. What is premature or early menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  15. What Is POI: What Causes POI? Daisy Network  https://www.daisynetwork.org.uk/about-poi/what-is-poi/ Accessed: 22 February 2021
  16. De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:314 https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/global-consensus-hrt-2016-06.pdf Accessed: 22 February 2021
  17. Menopause FAQS: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause – Q. I’m Only 36 Years Old, and I’ve Already Reached Menopause. What Specific Menopause Information Do I Need? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-premature-early-and-induced-menopause Accessed: 22 February 2021
  18. Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopause Symptoms – Ongoing Management. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 22 February 2021

Topic Last Updated: 11 March 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 22 February 2021
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