Approximately 1 percent of women between ages 15 and 45 experience premature menopause. The reasons are many. Although it is unlikely that you can reverse premature menopause, treatments can help you cope with it.
Diagnosis
Menopause before the age of 45 is considered premature. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood test measures the follicle stimulating hormone, which causes the ovaries to produce estrogen. When a woman's ovaries produce less estrogen, levels of that hormone rise.
Causes of Premature Menopause
Premature ovarian failure before the age of 40 is one cause of premature menopause. Premature ovarian failure affects about one in every 1,000 women aged 15 to 29 and one in every 100 women aged 30 to 39. Autoimmune disorders, genetics and other factors can cause premature ovarian failure.
Other causes can be surgical (removal of the ovaries or hysterectomy), cancer treatment or an infection such as mumps or tuberculosis, which can affect the ovaries and change hormonal balance.
Symptoms
Hot flashes are typical signs of premature menopause. Women can also have night sweats, insomnia, headaches, joint/muscle pain and emotional changes such as ups and downs, anxiety and food cravings.
Treatment
One way to deal with premature menopause is hormone replacement therapy. Especially after a surgery, when estrogen levels drop suddenly, taking hormones either orally or through a skin patch can help. How the therapy is administered depends on the stage of your menopause, whether you are still having periods and whether you have had a hysterectomy.
Another way to treat menopause is with tibolene, a synthetic steroid. It works the same way as hormone replacement therapy, and it helps with hot flushes and night sweats. It has a small increased risk of breast cancer, cancer of the womb and stroke.
Anti-depresssants can also be helpful with hot flashes and night sweats.
Vaginal dryness can be a symptom of premature menopause. Use a vaginal lubricant or moisturizer, which can be purchased over the counter or obtained by prescription.
A good support network can help you through the emotional ups and downs. Lean on understanding family and friends when you need a hug, a good talk or a hand to hold.
Complementary Therapies
Even though there are complementary therapies out there, medical experts are hesitant to endorse them. This market is vast, but there is little control over the quality of the products.
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