Early Onset Menopause - The Reasons Explained

Most women go through menopause in their late forties or early fifties, but it is not uncommon to experience early onset menopause at a younger age. In order to understand early menopause, we must first establish that menopause does not only refer to a woman's "last period" - it means the ovaries can no longer release eggs once a month. The cessation of ovulation causes the body's chemistry to change, causing an imbalance in the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. During menopause, the body's estrogen production drops by 40-60%. Since ovulation triggers the release of progesterone and you no longer ovulate during menopause, progesterone production is reduced to nearly zero. You're probably already aware about the connection between hormones, women, and menopause, but did you know that there are other causes of premature menopause symptoms? For most cases, menopause starting early is caused by one of these triggers:

Genetics and early menopause

Genetics account for about 10% of early menopause cases. If your mother, sister, or grandmother experienced menopause in her early 40s or younger, there is a high chance that you might experience menopause earlier as well. Defects in the X chromosome can also trigger premature menopause, as with Turner's syndrome - a condition where a woman is born with a missing second X chromosome. This will cause abnormally-formed ovaries, which will keep them from functioning properly, thus triggering the onset of menopause prematurely.

Autoimmune disorders bringing on menopausal symptoms

An autoimmune disorder is a condition where your body's antibodies, which normally fight off disease and germs, start destroying healthy cells and tissues in your own body. This is a common cause of menopause, but autoimmune disorders can encompass various conditions, from lupus to Graves' disease. Hyperthyroidism is the most common autoimmune disorder related to untimely menopause. This occurs when your thyroid gland no longer produces the thyroid hormones needed to keep your metabolism going. Hyperthyroidism is very common, with at least 10% of American women suffering from a thyroid hormone deficiency. In this case, early onset menopause is actually a symptom of hyperthyroidism; most women aren't aware of this disorder unless they experience signs of premature menopause.

Cancer treatments and the onset of menopause

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can also trigger menopause. The effect of a radiation therapy on the ovaries depends on several factors - the type of chemotherapy, the intensity of the treatment, and how old you were when you received the treatment. The younger you are, the better your chances that you won't experience the initiation of menopause during or after cancer treatment.

Lifestyle factors as menopause triggers

Perhaps the most overlooked cause of early menopause is the lifestyle habits of women today. Stress, poor nutrition, smoking, lack of exercise, and exposure to environmental pollutants are such normal occurrences that we no longer consider their impact on our bodies. Cigarette smoke in particular contains chemicals that can cause early ovarian failure. The good news is that of all the possible causes of premature menopause, lifestyle factors are the easiest to control. Although there's no reversing menopause once it starts, eating well, exercising regularly, and finding time to relax can reduce some of the discomfort as menopause symptoms set in.