Could This Be Early Menopause?

Menopause generally begins when a woman is in her early to mid-forties, sometimes women can experience what is known as early menopause. It is the cessation of monthly periods and is usually the result of a long process, rather than an overnight one. However, occasionally it strikes women as early as their twenties, but this is rare and usually only strikes women in this age group who have had surgery to remove their uterus and ovaries. This is also true for women in their early to mid-thirties, but women in this age group will often begin to experience perimenopausal symptoms that include irregular periods, mood swings and night sweats.

So how can a woman know if she's experiencing an early onset? A woman who has not experiencing a surgery-induced condition will likely first begin to experience changes in her menstural cycle. Periods may become more frequent or they may become further apart. Other changes may include heavier bleeding, or even lighter monthly bleeding. A woman in early onset may also begin to have night sweats, a feeling of becoming flushed in the neck and face that can last one to four minutes. Sleep disturbances are also common. It is said to be complete when a woman has gone a year without having a period. Again, this is rare for women younger than 45-50, with the average age is 51, though there truly are no absolutes.

Another way a woman can tell is to take a look at her family history. If a woman's mother went through menopause at an early age, she is also more likely to experience similar. Researchers are now finding that genetics does, indeed, play an important role in the onset. When a woman thinks she's experiencing symptoms, she should see a doctor who should do a thorough family history to help in diagnosing early onset.

If a woman is involved in early menopause, it is very important for her to see a doctor. It can be extremely hard for a woman who still wants to have children, and she will need to get adequate support. It can also result in health problems such as osteoporosis and even heart disease. A good physical is necessary to rule out other causes for irregular periods before any sort of treatment can be started. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is generally advised for women experiencing early onset whether it is due to natural or induced reasons. Though there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding HRT in recent years, it is generally safe when closely monitored by a physician and gives much needed relief to sufferers.

Also read our article about Menopause Symptoms