5 Things To Know About Early Menopause

Posted on 11/15/2021

Early menopause happens in women who are 40-45 years old and can occur in about 5% of women. If you have missed a few periods lately and are concerned about early menopause, talk to your women's healthcare provider at Doylestown Women's Health Center. Our gynecologists can discuss what menopause may mean for your body and what to expect if you are in early menopause. With menopause management in Doylestown, PA, we like to discuss 5 main topics about early menopause.

What is Early Menopause?

What is Early Menopause?

A woman is in menopause when she has gone a full 12 months without a menstrual period. Typically, this occurs around the age of 51. When a woman's body is in menopause, her ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone, the hormones necessary to maintain your menstrual period and fertility. However, for some women, menopause can occur in their 40s. Between the ages of 40 to 45, women are considered to be in early menopause if they have gone 12 months without their period. If this occurs before the age of 40, a woman is considered to be in premature menopause.

What to Know About Early Menopause

Early menopause is an important topic to discuss with your women's health provider as your hormones can change drastically. These are the 5 things to know about early menopause:

  1. It's Not Too Early To Speak With Your Doctor: If you notice a significant change in your period cycle, please speak with your OBGYN. Missing your period can be a sign of early menopause or other health conditions that should be caught right away. Your women's healthcare provider can help determine if you are experiencing early menopause.
  2. Hormone Therapy May Be An Option For You: Depending on your health status, hormone therapy may be a good option to avoid long-term health consequences that can occur with early menopause. Hormone therapy can help alleviate estrogen loss, a decrease in sex drive, and mood changes.
  3. Fertility: If you are hoping to have a child, you should speak with your healthcare provider about other fertility options like freezing your eggs or embryos, adoption, or surrogacy.
  4. Continue A Normal Sex Life: If you have been experiencing a lower sex drive or vaginal dryness, speak to your doctor about treatments that may be appropriate for you. Even if your body is experiencing early menopause, you can continue to enjoy a normal sex life and our menopause management in Doylestown, PA can help.
  5. Seek Support: Our women's health center understands that early menopause can be quite overwhelming for a majority of women, especially in regard to fertility and long-term health consequences. Please ask your provider about support with a therapist or psychologist to talk through your diagnosis.

Contact Doylestown Women's Health Center for Menopause Management

If you are concerned about early menopause, please contact Doylestown Women's Health Center. Our OBGYNs will evaluate your symptoms and discuss your options. Our team will provide all of the necessary care and menopause management in Doylestown, PA. We will get through this together.