You can get menopause before 40! And here’s what a gynaecologist wants you to know about it

Premature menopause happens when your ovaries stop producing hormones before you turn 40. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
premature menopause
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Dr Surabhi Siddhartha Published: 23 Dec 2020, 19:05 pm IST
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Premature menopause can be described as the permanent end of one’s menopause before the age of 40. Yes, you heard it right! You will be shocked to know that premature menopause can even be seen in younger women around the age of 25!

You may get premature menopause if your ovaries stop making hormones, thus ending your periods before you turn 40. This can happen because of a lot of natural reasons—and no, environmental factors have nothing to do with it.

How can you tell if you are experiencing premature menopause?

The symptoms of premature menopause can be hot flashes, vaginal dryness, weight gain, night-time sweating, loss of sex drive, sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and even low bone mineral density.

Hence, the side-effects that occur at the age of 60 will be seen at an early age. Unfortunately, there is no way to postpone premature menopause once a woman gets it. Once you spot these symptoms, you must your gynaecologist immediately.

premature menopause
Postmenopausal bleeding is NOT normal. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
How is premature menopause diagnosed?

You will be advised to do a blood test or even measure the oestrogen levels and related hormones like follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body. Then, you will be advised about hormonal therapy.

Hormonal therapy can be helpful in tackling premature menopause, and the one undergoing it should visit the doctor for regular follow-ups to monitor the side-effects.

This is what premature menopause can do to your body

Premature menopauses causes a lack of efficiency of calcium and vitamins in the body, which increase the chances of fractures at an early age, can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI), hair fall, dry skin problems, and even mood swings.

premature menopause
Yoga can ease menopause symptoms. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Once you encounter these side-effects, you will be advised to take calcium and vitamin D supplements throughout the life to make sure that your bone health doesn’t deteriorate. Similarly, you will have to take complete charge of your health. Your doctor will ask you to monitor your cholesterol level every six months. You will also have to do a Pap smear test and breast mammography as suggested by your doctor.

Premature menopause is not a pleasant reality, but if you find yourself experiencing it—visit your gynaecologist immediately.

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About the Author

Dr Surabhi Siddhartha is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospital in Kharghar, Mumbai. For the past fifteen years, she has been delivering specialist Obs-Gyn care as a leading gynaecologist in Kharghar and Navi Mumbai. Dr Surabhi's areas of expertise and interest include high-risk pregnancies like hypothyroid pregnancy, diabetes in pregnancy, twin pregnancy, ovarian cyst with pregnancy, fibroid in pregnancy, and other surgeries like hysterectomy, cystectomy, fibroid removal, and adolescent health care. Her super specialized surgical skills in women's healthcare also involve Cosmetic Gynecology (vaginoplasty, hymenoplasty, surgical and non-surgical vaginal tightening), Urogynecology (SUI treatment, Prolapse), ART & Infertility treatment, Minimal Invasive Gynaecology surgery treatments (Laproscopy) Dr Surabhi Siddhartha completed her MBBS from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Government College, Bhagalpur and obtained her DGO from College of Physician and Surgeons, Mumbai. ...Read More

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