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 your final period happens before the age of 40 years”.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 and 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 and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature & Early Menopause the JH explain:

“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 often be more severe due to the sudden change in hormone levels”.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

Hormone Therapy

What is one of the highlights about premature 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”.15

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”.16

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. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  6. Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  7. Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  8. Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  9. Daisy Network [United Kingdom]
  10. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  11. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  12. EMAS Position Statement: Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause [European Menopause and Andropause Society]
  13. EMAS Replay
  14. Early Menopause
  15. Early Menopause
  16. Early Menopause Due To Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  17. Early Menopause Linked To Higher Risk of Future Coronary Heart Disease
  18. Early Menopause – Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
  19. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  20. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Resources and Information: Quick Links – 1. Question Prompt List
  21. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
  22. Early or Premature Menopause
  23. Earlymenopause.org.nz [Early Menopause Support Group, New Zealand]
  24. Factors Affecting Women: Menopause
  25. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  26. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  27. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  28. Fragile X and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Webinar
  29. Health After Menopause
  30. Hot Flashes
  31. Hot Flashes
  32. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  33. How Menopause Impacts Your Health
  34. 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
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
  36. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  37. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  38. 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]
  39. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  40. Lynchsyndrome.org.au
  41. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  43. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  44. Menopause
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause Before 40 and Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  47. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  48. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Early Menopause
  50. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Early Menopause
  51. Menopause Mindfulness: Understanding the Many Paths To Menopause
  52. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  53. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
  54. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  55. Menopause Ruining Your Sex Life?
  56. Menopause and Depression
  57. Menopause – Information for Partners – Fact Sheet
  58. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  59. Mood and the Menopause
  60. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  61. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
  62. Navigating Menopause Together: How Partners Can Help
  63. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  64. NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  65. Premature & Early Menopause – Fact Sheet
  66. Premature Ovarian Failure
  67. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  68. Premature and Early Menopause
  69. Premature and Early Menopause
  70. Premature and Early Menopause [+ Video]
  71. Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause
  72. Premature and Early Menopause: What Causes Premature and Early Menopause
  73. Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI)
  74. Spontaneous Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
  75. Support After Early Menopause
  76. Surgical Menopause
  77. Surgical Menopause – Ask Dr Jean
  78. Supporting A Loved One Through Menopause
  79. Taking Care of Your Mental Health
  80. The North American Menopause Society Releases Its 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
  81. Transformations: The Mental Health Issues That Can Accompany Menopause Often Go Unaddressed
  82. Tricky Periods: What’s ‘Normal’ and What’s Not
  83. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  84. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  85. Video Series-2021: Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues
  86. Video Series-2021: What You Need To Know About the #1 Cause of Death In Women
  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. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: How Do I Deal With the Menopause After A Diagnosis of Gynaecological Cancer
  90. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: Is Testosterone the Answer To Low Libido?
  91. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: The Menopause Blues
  92. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: When Your Periods Leave Too Early
  93. Videos and Podcasts: World Menopause Day 2022 – Interviews: What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  94. Webinars: Previous – Dealing With A Big Issue: Weight Gain At Midlife
  95. Webinars: Previous – Osteoporosis for Midlife Women and Beyond
  96. Webinars: Previous – Predictors of Premature and Early Natural Menopause
  97. Webinars: Previous – The Early Menopausal Patient
  98. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  99. What Is Lynch Syndrome?
  100. What Is POI (Premature Ovarian Insufficiency)

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: 14 November 2022
  2. Early and Premature Menopause. Last Updated: 20 October 2022. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/the-menopause/overview-of-the-menopause/early-and-premature-menopause Accessed: 14 November 2022
  3. What Is POI: Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Daisy Network  https://www.daisynetwork.org/about-poi/what-is-poi/ Accessed: 14 November 2022
  4. Premature and Early Menopause: What Is Premature & Early Menopause? Last Updated: 08 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 14 November 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: 14 November 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: 23 August 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: 23 August 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: 14 November 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: 14 November 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: 14 November 2022
  11. Premature & Early Menopause: Terminology – Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Last Updated: 05 August 2022 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 23 August 2022
  12. Premature and Early Menopause: Symptoms of Premature and Early Menopause. Last Updated: 08 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/premature-early-menopause/ Accessed: 14 November 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: 14 November 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: 14 November 2022
  15. 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: 14 November 2022
  16. 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: 14 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 14 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 November 2022

Print Friendly, PDF & Email