Could these actually be signs of early onset menopause instead?
First, what is early onset menopause?
Along with your period ending, menopause can bring about other symptoms that affect day-to-day life.
Early onset menopause is when the transition arrives ahead of schedule.
He adds that when menopause happens in your early 40s, its considered menopausebut not premature.
Another thing worth noting: Both early onset menopause and menopause are preceded by something called perimenopause.
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9 things to know about early onset menopause
1.
Early menopause is a spectrum
TheOffice on Womens Healthnotes the average age for menopause is 52.
But that doesnt mean every menstruating person will start it at this age.
More often, menopause is an ongoing process that can begin between theages of 45 and 55.
But if it startsearlier, it may be diagnosed as early or premature.
Going through menopause is a continuum, like going throughpubertybut in reverse.
With puberty, women gain ovarian function, and ovaries make estrogen.
Were talking about hot flashes, missed periods, and vaginal dryness, among other common symptoms.
The only difference between early onset and regular menopause is the age when symptoms start.
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Okay, there isone exceptionto this.
And that is when youre on the pill.
If youre onhormonal birth control, the signs of early menopause may be muted or nonexistent.
But the truth is the cause of early onset menopause is often unknown.
If all your tests come back normal, it could be something that just happened, and thats okay.
It wont have a huge effect on overall healthwith the right treatment.
(More on that later.)
Heres Exactly How It Can Affect Your Poop
4.
Almost every other study weve found,and the experts we interviewed suggested the same.
Birth control pills dont stop future cycles or cause early menopause.
But this also means…you could stillget pregnant.
As long as youre still getting some kind of period, this means you may still be fertile.
But can stress cause early menopause?
The answer is a bit complicated.
One January 2021 study inPLOS One3found stressful events can make menopause symptoms21 percent more severe4.
But stress cantcauseearly menopause.
Dr. Thomas explains that more time with low estrogen levels can lead tolower bone densityand a higher risk ofosteoporosis.
Promecene and Thomas recommend starting bone density scans at an earlier age if youre in early menopause.
The same goes for older siblings and other relatives on the maternal side.
Treatment options are typically the same for all people going through menopause, no matter their age.
He also recommends documenting any irregularities, whether its skipped periods or menopausal symptoms like nighttime sweats orvaginal dryness.
No matter how old you are when menopause arrives, you deserve to feel supported throughout the transition.
Delamater, Lara, and Nanette Santoro.
Management of the Perimenopause.Clinical obstetrics and gynecologyvol.
61,3 (2018): 419-432. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000389
Langton, C R et al.
36,7 (2021): 1989-1998. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab054
Arnot, Megan et al.
The relationship between social support, stressful events, and menopause symptoms.PloS onevol.
27 Jan. 2021, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245444
Magraith, Karen, and Christina Jang.
Management of menopause.Australian prescribervol.
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