Is 35 too early for menopause?

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, so reaching this stage at 35 would be considered quite early. Some key points about early menopause:

• The medical term for early menopause occurring before the age of 40 is premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency. This affects about 1% of women under the age of 40.


• Early menopause can occur naturally or be induced for medical reasons, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Women with certain genetic conditions or autoimmune diseases may also go through early menopause.

Common causes of early menopause include:

• Premature ovarian failure


• Surgery - such as hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy (removal of uterus and both ovaries)


• Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy


• Genetic conditions like Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome


• Autoimmune disorders

Symptoms

Reaching menopause early can cause more severe symptoms than perimenopause or menopause at the typical age. Common symptoms include:

• Hot flashes


• Night sweats


• Vaginal dryness


• Changes in sexual desire


• Difficulty sleeping


• Emotional changes like mood swings or irritability


• Fatigue

Long-term health risks

Entering menopause early also comes with some increased health risks:

• Osteoporosis: The drop in estrogen speeds up loss of bone density, increasing osteoporosis risk significantly.


• Heart disease: Lower estrogen levels remove their protective cardiovascular effects, raising heart disease risk.


• Issues with sexual health, fertility, and pregnancy.

Coping with early menopause

If you're experiencing premature menopause, here are some ways to help manage:

• Hormone therapy - Estrogen with or without progestin can help relieve hot flashes, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis risk, and heart disease risk if taken early enough. Discuss options with your doctor.


• Lifestyle changes - Eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, don't smoke, find ways to reduce stress.


• Support - Consider joining a support group to connect with other women dealing with early menopause. Talking to friends and family can help too.

Overall, reaching menopause at 35 would be very early, but know that there are solutions to help control symptoms and reduce long-term health risks. Reaching out to health professionals and having robust social support are also hugely important in helping women cope with early menopause.

If you're going through early menopause or perimenopause, the caring physicians at Vitality Hormone Clinic can help create a customized treatment plan for your needs.