What is early menopause?
The onset of menopause is a natural process that occurs at various ages, so it is difficult to determine what constitutes early menopause. However, as 51 is the average age for reaching menopause in the US, and most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, it is justifiable to say that menopause reached before the age of 45 can be classed as early menopause. Women can experience the menopause as early as 20, although this is very rare, and this would certainly be regarded as early menopause. Early menopause can be caused by a number of genetic, environmental, or medical factors, but in some cases the cause of early menopause is never established.
Perimenopause or early menopause typically begins several years before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the decrease in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women experience menopause symptoms. There are various early signs of menopause.
Here are some of the symptoms of Early Menopause.
- Irregular or skipped periods
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Hot Flash
- Premature ovarian failure
- Irritability
