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:

  • Menopause Before 40
  • Premature Menopause
  • Premature Ovarian Failure (POF)
  • Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Premature Menopause and Early Menopause

Is premature menopause the same as early menopause?Early MenopausePremature 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

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 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 occurs when the ovaries stop functioning as they should before age 40. When this happens, your ovaries don’t produce typical amounts of the hormone estrogen or release eggs regularly. This condition is also called premature ovarian failure and 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 Premature & Early Menopause the JH explain:

“Menopause that occurs earlier than 40 years of age is called premature menopause. This may be due to:

  • Primary ovarian insufficiency where the periods stop spontaneously
  • Chemotherapy treatment and radiotherapy for cancer
  • Surgically induced menopause when the ovaries are removed”.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?

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.

  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  3. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  4. Cancer Treatment – Early Menopause
  5. Causes of Menopause
  6. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  7. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  8. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  9. Daisynetwork.org.uk [Daisy Network, United Kingdom]
  10. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  11. EMAS Position Statement: Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause [European Menopause and Andropause Society]
  12. Early Menopause
  13. Premature MenoapuseEarly Menopause
  14. Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  15. Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  16. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  17. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  18. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  19. Early or Premature Menopause
  20. Earlymenopause.org.nz [New Zealand Early Menopause Support Group]
  21. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  22. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  23. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  24. Fragile X and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Webinar 4 April 2022
  25. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  26. HRT: Types, Doses and Regimens
  27. Health After Menopause
  28. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  29. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  30. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  31. 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
  32. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
  33. 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]
  34. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  35. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  36. Lynchsyndrome.org.au
  37. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  38. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  40. Menopause Before 40 Mayo Clinic Minute: Lifestyle Changes To Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  41. Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Sexual Health After Cancer Treatment [+ Video]
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause
  44. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  45. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  46. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  47. 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?
  48. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Premature Menopause
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Premature Menopause
  50. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  51. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  52. Menopause and Depression
  53. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  54. Menopause: Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT) Safe? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
  55. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  56. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  57. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  58. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  59. Non-Hormonal Alternatives for Menopause
  60. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  61. Premature & Early Menopause
  62. Premature & Early Menopause – Fact Sheet
  63. Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopausal Symptoms
  64. Premature & Early Menopause: Psychological Wellbeing & Emotions
  65. Premature & Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause
  66. Premature Menopause Increases Risk of Chronic Health Issues
  67. Premature Menopause Is Associated With Increased Risk of Heart Problems [04 August 2022]
  68. Premature Ovarian Failure
  69. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  70. Premature and Early Menopause
  71. Premature and Early Menopause
  72. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  73. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  74. Support After Early Menopause
  75. Supporting Women Through Menopause – Fact Sheet
  76. Surgical Menopause
  77. Taking Care of Your Mental Health
  78. Transformations: The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  79. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  80. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  81. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  82. Video Series-2021: Common Issues Surrounding Sexuality and Menopause
  83. Video Series-2021: How Menopause Symptoms Can Affect Your Quality of Life
  84. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  85. Video Series-2021: What You Need To Know About the #1 Cause of Death In Women
  86. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  87. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  88. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  89. Video Series-2022: Understanding Screening Guidelines for Breast Cancer and the Importance of Identifying Risk Factors
  90. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Bone Health and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  91. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
  92. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  93. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  94. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  95. Webinars: Previous – Breast Cancer
  96. Webinars: Previous – Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause
  97. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  98. What Is Lynch Syndrome?
  99. What Is POI (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency)
  100. World Menopause Day – Patient Information Leaflet: Update on Bone Health [Multiply Languages]

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: 26 June 2022
  2. Early and Premature Menopause. Last Updated: 10 May 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/the-menopause/overview-of-the-menopause/early-and-premature-menopause Accessed: 26 June 2022
  3. What Is POI: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Daisy Network  https://www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/ Accessed: 26 June 2022
  4. Premature & Early Menopause: What Is Premature & Early Menopause? Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  8. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 27 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 26 June 2022
  9. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 27 October 2021. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premature-ovarian-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20354683 Accessed: 26 June 2022
  10. Primary Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Summary – What Is Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)? Last Updated: 05 May 2021. MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/primaryovarianinsufficiency.html Accessed: 26 June 2022
  11. Premature & Early Menopause: Terminology – Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 26 June 2022
  12. Premature & Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  15. Premature & Early Menopause. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed 24 March 2021. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  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: 26 June 2022
  18. Premature & Early Menopause: Management & Treatment of Premature & Early Menopause Symptoms – Ongoing Management. Last Updated: 24 March 2021 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 26 June 2022

Topic Last Updated: 10 August 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 26 June 2022
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