Have your once-consistent periods suddenly come to a halt? Or have you suddenly started forgetting why you went into rooms and waking up with soaked sheets in the morning? If you’re under 45, you could be going through early Menopause. But how do you know what exactly is going on with your body? Let’s go through the signs of early Menopause and what to expect if you’ve received this diagnosis.
The Two Stages of Menopausal Transition
Menopause, or the Menopausal Transition as we like to call it these days, is the decade or so when your ovaries begin to wind down before retiring altogether. This major life change has two distinct stages: Perimenopause and Postmenopause.
In fact, what we’ve traditionally called Menopause, and often considered a stage of its own, actually occurs during the first stage, Perimenopause. And it’s the point in time when it’s been exactly 12 months since your final menstrual period.
Once you’ve reached that point, though, Postmenopause starts immediately. Meaning that Menopause is less of a phase itself, and more of a marker signifying the end of one stage and the start of another.
Now, we know that this feels like a completely new way to look at the Menopausal Transition, but we think it makes a huge amount of sense. So here’s how the stages breakdown:
Perimenopause
Generally begins in your mid-40s. Characterized by changes in your cycle and periods, as well as physical and emotional symptoms. Also includes the 12 months following your final menstrual period.
Postmenopause
Begins 12 consecutive months after your final menstrual period. Your transition symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and fatigue should recede over the coming years.
What is early Menopause?
As its name suggests, early Menopause is basically the Menopausal transition. The difference is that it starts at a younger age than is typical, but still works the same way. Which means that your fertility will change, as will your cycle length and periods, among other things.
When does early Menopause start?
While Menopause generally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, for approximately 5% of women, Early Menopause takes place before the age of 45. It can even happen to women younger than 40. Known as premature Menopause, or primary ovarian insufficiency, this affects less than 1.1% of women.
And while the reasons for early or premature Menopause may remain unknown for some, various causes can spur it on. These include:
- Family history of early Menopause
- Smoking
- Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation
- Ovary removal surgery
- Uterus removal surgery
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- HIV/AIDS
- Various autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease
What are the signs of early Menopause?
While the signs and symptoms of early Menopause exist for various other health conditions, the most obvious indication that you’re experiencing this life stage earlier than normal is irregular periods.
If you’re used to Aunt Flo popping up every 26 days and suddenly find yourself dealing with sporadic periods, early Menopause is a possibility. This can take form through longer menstrual cycles, random spotting between periods, and even changes in your flow.
If irregular periods have always been your thing, though, it’s best to double-check with a certified health professional to be sure.
Aside from experiencing irregular or dwindling periods, here are some other signs of Early Menopause:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Increased urination
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Dry eyes and dry skin
- Headaches
- Libido changes
- Unexplained weight changes
- Hair loss and thinning
Generally speaking, early Menopause can leave you feeling pretty crumby. And since women going through the Menopausal transition are at greater risk for mood disorders, it’s completely normal to be left with mixed feelings about your body and what’s happening.
How is early Menopause diagnosed?
We’ve all been there. You type your symptoms into Google and end up with terrifying results. If you’re periods or cycle have changed, or you’re seeing signs of early Menopause, rather than worrying yourself with “What ifs…?” please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss what’s going on.
They’ll likely want to know more about your family history, and symptoms and will likely order blood tests to check your hormone levels. You may also undergo a full physical examination, which might include a vaginal ultrasound to check up on your ovary functions.
Since early Menopause happens when your ovaries produce less Estrogen, getting your hormones tested can be incredibly helpful when it comes to helping you overcome these issues.
If your FSH climbs and your Estrogen levels have plummeted without a reasonable explanation, this could be a strong indicator that you’re going through early Menopause.
I’ve been diagnosed with early Menopause. Now what?
Receiving a diagnosis of early Menopause can leave you feeling overwhelmed, sad, and confused. And while you may not have been expecting this diagnosis, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and help is available.
While treatment options can vary depending on your personal situation and care team, they may look something like this:
- Estrogen and progesterone pills: your doctor may suggest trying estrogen in pill form, or vaginal ring or patch, alongside progesterone pills or hormonal IUD, to protect your uterus.
- Combined contraceptive pill: The combined oral contraceptive pill contains artificial versions of the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. This can help ease early Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.
If you’re not looking to go down the medical route, there are plenty of natural remedies that can help keep symptoms at bay. And while this won’t change the fact that you’re in early Menopause, it will make living with it more manageable. Here are some natural remedies that can help you feel like yourself again:
- Eat a balanced diet: Make sure you’re eating enough fruits and veggies and foods rich in calcium and protein.
- Maintain a healthy weight: to help with symptoms including hot flashes.
- Exercise regularly: Moving around can help reduce stress, improve energy, and help you get some much-needed sleep.
- Look into natural supplements: Natural supplements such as Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Ginseng, and Evening Primrose Oil may help ease symptoms. While natural supplements may seem harmless, their effects can be rather potent. Always check with your doctor before use to ensure they don’t conflict with other medications.
Signs of early Menopause: You’re not alone
First and foremost, if you recognize anything we’ve talked about here, please talk to your doctor at your earliest convenience and share your concerns. They’re best placed to help you work out what’s going on with your body, as well as rule out any underlying conditions that may be contributing.
If you’re using the Hormona app — and if you’re not, why not? — make sure you continue to track your cycle and symptoms. All that information could be crucial for helping your healthcare team reach a diagnosis.
But if you get, or already have, an early Menopause diagnosis, take advantage of as many resources as you can to help keep your overall and emotional health in great condition. Whether that’s diet and exercise changes, or managing symptoms with medication or natural remedies, find what works for you.
Most importantly, though, please remember that you’re not alone. The Menopausal transition comes for us all, so millions of women around the world know exactly how you feel right now. Some are part of the Hormona community. Others are part of online or in-person support groups, and still more are in the doctor’s waiting room, at the OBGYN, or standing next to you in the coffee shop.
So if you ever need to talk, there’ll be someone ready to listen.
