Menopause is a natural process for women and starts being experienced from age 45 to 55. While most women start menopause at 51 years, it is common to experience early symptoms before age 45. Early menopause, also known as premature menopause, can significantly affect your daily life and ability to complete simple tasks. To determine the cause of your early menopausal symptoms, consult a New York menopause specialist. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent or mitigate the symptoms of early menopause by treating the underlying causes with medical treatments or natural remedies. Below are five common reasons you may develop menopause symptoms earlier than expected.
1. Hormone Imbalances
Hormone imbalances are common in women and can cause early menopause. Stress, diet, lifestyle, medications, and health conditions cause hormone imbalances. Hormones are chemical substances that carry messages between cells in your body. They help regulate processes such as growth and development.
Most hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, work in combination to regulate your body’s reproductive system. When these hormones are low, you may experience early menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia, anxiety, and even depression.
2. Surgeries
Surgeries on our reproductive system, such as oophorectomy and hysterectomy, can lead to early menopause symptoms since they involve the removal of the ovaries and uterus, respectively. These surgical procedures are preventative treatments for ovarian and breast cancer. They can also treat endometriosis, uterine cysts, and ovarian torsion.
When your body no longer produces eggs due to these surgical procedures, estrogen and progesterone hormones drop significantly, leading to hormonal imbalance. As a result, you begin to experience early menopause symptoms.
3. Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are common health conditions that often cause early menopause. They occur when your immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. However, not all autoimmune diseases cause premature menopause. Some disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation in your ovaries and ovarian tissues, leading to premature menopause.
Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, tenderness, stiffness, and joint weakness. If you are below the average menopausal age and often experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately to avoid premature menopause.
4. Lifestyle Factors
Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, poor diet, and lack of exercise often lead to premature menopause. Also, poor sleeping habits and stress can trigger early menopause symptoms. To prevent this, adhere to proper lifestyle habits such as exercising at least once a day, eating healthily, avoiding junk foods, and avoiding smoking. If you are uncertain about incorporating these habits into your daily routine, consult your doctor immediately.
5. Chromosomal Conditions
Chromosomal conditions, such as Turner Syndrome, often lead to premature menopause. Turner Syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality that occurs when a woman is born with absent or incomplete chromosomes.
This defect can cause ovarian insufficiency, leading to premature menopause. However, this condition has no cure, but you can manage it through hormone and estrogen therapy. Once you are diagnosed with Turner Syndrome before age 45, it is best to begin treatment immediately to prevent the onset of premature menopause.
Menopause can be overwhelming, especially if you go through it when your body is not supposed to. While early menopause is common, it can affect your fertility, especially if you want to become a parent.
However, through various treatment options, such as hormonal therapy and lifestyle adjustments, you can keep your body healthy and reduce your risk of early menopause. If you have been experiencing unusual symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, or insomnia, your doctor may recommend various diagnostic tests to help determine the cause.
