Premature Menopause: Causes, Symptoms & Prevention

Premature menopause is one of the common issues that women in their mid-30s are facing these days. Usually, menopause should happen after 40; however, many young women start to experience symptoms early.

In this article, we will discuss why it happens, the symptoms and when to consult a doctor. It could be a serious problem for women who are planning their families. Let’s take a look!

Women Suffering Premature Menopause Early In Life (Menstrual Problems)

Dr Tanushree Pandey Padgaonkar, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist (OBGYN), explained the definition of menopause. She said, “It is a retrospective finding when a woman does not get any period or any menstrual flow for a year.”

She added, “The average age of women coming across menopause has reduced throughout the world. It has finally come to India as well. The average for Indian women to experience menopause was between 45 and 50. Today, it has reduced to 40, or in some cases, the even mid-30s.”

Causes For Premature Menopause (Women Health Problems)

Dr Padgaonkar said, “Somewhere, lifestyle and stress play crucial roles in regulating our menstrual cycles (healthy periods). Women are born with a fixed number of eggs, and we do not produce them as and when we grow.”

She further said, “Therefore, external stress on the body like smoking, sleeping till late, not sleeping enough, junk food, obesity, the tension in our day-to-day life and alcohol consumption can lead a woman experience premature menopause.”

Can Women Prevent Premature Menopause? (Fertility Issues)

Dr Padgaonkar says, “No doctor can assert that women can prevent premature menopause. However, women can modify lifestyle, change diet, keep BMI (Body Mass Index) in a healthy range, avoid smoking, keep alcohol under control, limit junk food, exercise every day, controll stress and go for a routine check-up to your gynaecologist to ensure if they need any medication to identify menopause at an early stage.”

Symptoms Of Menopause (Period Problem)

According to Dr Tanushree Pandey Padgaonkar, “The common symptoms of premature menopause include your periods not coming for 3-4 months or you get periods after a long time. Another symptom could be frequent periods. For example, if a woman starts getting her periods (menstrual cramps) every 10 days.”

She added, “If a woman in her 30s is trying to conceive, and it has been longer than a year. If you are less than 35 years, and it has been more than six months since you have tried to have a baby. It is definitely a red flag.” In such a case, women must consult a doctor to ensure there are no underlying issues, or they are not achieving premature menopause.

When To Consult A Gynaecologist?

If a woman experiences any of the above symptoms, she must consult a gynaecologist. There are a few tests to confirm whether or not you are experiencing premature menopause.

Dr Padgaonkar suggest AMH Test (anti-müllerian hormone test). Its results indicate the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries. FSH Test (follicle-stimulating hormone) is another one recommended by our expert gynaecologist. It helps the doctor identify whether a woman’s body is approaching menopause. The last is sonography which tells the number of eggs left in the ovaries.

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Diet To Improve Quality Of Eggs (Pregnancy)

Dr Padgaonkar says, “No fat or crash diets are needed. A woman must maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. One must have good fats, avoid junk food, eat lots of green leafy vegetables, try antioxidant-rich food, vitamin-rich meals and consume zinc-rich food items.”

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All the above items can help a woman elevate the quality of her eggs. However, menopause is a natural phenomenon or phase through which every woman has to pass one day. Therefore, Dr Padgaonkar suggests keeping your health in check and planning family before you reach the early or natural stage of menopause.

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