Premature Menopause: Symptoms And Beyond

Premature Menopause Symptoms

The symptoms of a premature menopause are identical to those of an average-timed menopause. Unless the menopause is the result of an oophorectomy, it will not commence suddenly — the menopause becomes official when a woman has not had menstrual periods for a full 12 months, and it is preceded by a transitional period called the perimenopause. 

The symptoms associated with the perimenopause are:

• Hot flashes — a hot sensation flashing across your upper body.

• Irregular periods, or less frequent menstruation.

• Other menstrual changes — your period may become lighter or heavier than before.

• Vaginal dryness. 

• Emotional symptoms including mood swings, irritability, depression and sleeplessness. 

• A decreased libido. 

• Dry skin.

These symptoms should signal you to have a chat with your doctor, even if you were already expecting a premature menopause. Many women find the symptoms of the perimenopause to be extremely challenging. There are numerous remedies that will help women manage the perimenopause more easily, however. They include Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and herbal treatments. Your doctor will be able to advise you which of these methods are most suitable in your situation, if you wish to use any of them. 

We should note that irregular periods or a sudden change in the quantity or duration of menstrual flow can have other causes as well. The same holds true for a missed period — the easiest explanation is that you might be pregnant. 

Vaginal dryness, a decreased libido, mood swings, and even hot flashes can all have causes other than a premature menopause as well. Nobody should conclude that they are approaching the menopause based on any one symptom in isolation, and even the full range of symptoms can't immediately determine that you are dealing with a premature menopause. 

The diagnostic process will include a physical examination and blood tests to rule out other conditions or confirm a premature menopause. Your healthcare provider will want to measure your levels of the hormones estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) once other conditions like pregnancy and thyroid disease have been ruled out. 

Premature Menopause — What Now?

The ability to have children is a prime concern among women who are dealing with a premature menopause, regardless of the cause in their particular case. Egg freezing can offer many women the hope of having biological children even after they enter a premature menopause.

Those who are about to undergo chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or an oophorectomy will be aware of the challenges ahead. They can, in many cases, opt to have their eggs extracted and frozen prior to undergoing treatment. Women who are going through a more fluid, natural early menopause may still have ovarian reserves that can be harvested as well.

The egg-freezing procedure requires the use of fertility drugs routinely used in IVF. These stimulate as many eggs as possible to mature. Once that happens, the eggs are removed under sedation and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen once their quality has been determined. Eggs can then be preserved for many years and used at a convenient time. In some cases, the woman will be able to carry a pregnancy to term herself, but surrogacy is another alternative. 

Women who have been diagnosed with a premature menopause also have some other medical issues to be aware of. A premature menopause caused a stop or steep decline in the production of the female hormone estrogen. This influences a woman's overall health negatively, and can place her at risk of medical conditions such as osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and certain cancers. Talk to your doctor to discuss ways in which you can protect your health.