- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Premature Menopause
A woman will normally experience her menopause in her late 40s. It is the point at which her body stops releasing eggs, and she no longer experiences her monthly menstrual cycle. Every woman has a certain amount of eggs in her ovaries from birth, and when these eggs have all left her body through menstruation or pregnancy, no more can be made and she will go through menopause.
There are many symptoms associated with a woman’s menopause. There will be less oestrogen produced, which will affect a woman’s secondary sexual characteristics. Progesterone also won’t be produced as much as before, which can sometimes lead to uterine cancer. A woman may experience mood swings and decreased lubrication of her vagina. All of these symptoms are normal, and are simply part of a woman’s aging process when she nears the age of 50.
In some cases, women will go through their menopause earlier than expected. If they go through it significantly earlier than they should, this is called premature menopause. Women who experience menopause before the age of 40 are classed as suffering from premature menopause. Specialists aren’t certain as to what causes this condition, though research has shown that it may be hereditary, or caused by various cancer treatment therapies. It also occurs in women who have had their ovaries surgically removed due to cancer or other conditions.
Women who have had their ovaries removed, or who have undergone radiotherapy or chemotherapy may expect the onset of premature menopause, and can prepare for it. But some women will experience it for no apparent reason, and it can come as quite a surprise. These women may visit their local GP or gynaecologist complaining of a number of symptoms including mood swings, changes in their bodies and a lack of their normal menstrual cycle. These women may be suffering from premature menopause.
Premature menopause can be an extremely unfortunate condition, especially when it occurs in significantly younger women. It cannot be reversed, only treated using hormone replacement therapy to deal with the symptoms. As little is known about the causes of this condition, little can be done to prevent it. Many women will be emotionally distressed as a result of this problem, and may seek therapy to discuss the problem and ways of dealing with it. Hormonal replacement therapy an effectively alleviate the symptoms for a few years, but is not a long term solution.