7 Factors That Increase The Risk Of Premature Menopause

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The average age when American women enter menopause is 51. However, some women experience menopause before the age of 40. This phenomenon is called premature menopause. Statistics presented by the American Pregnancy Association shows that approximately 1 in 1000 women aged 15 to 29 and 1 in 100 women aged 30 to 39 enter menopause early.

The symptoms of premature menopause are the same as those of later-onset menopause and include the following:

- absence of menstruation or irregular periods;

- vaginal dryness;

- hot flashes;

- sleep problems;

- difficulty concentrating, mood swings, irritability, and depression;

- bladder irritability and urinary incontinence;

- decreased libido;

- dryness of skin, eyes, and mouth.

And we collected some useful tips to help you in fighting these annoying conditions:


A lot of factors can bring on premature menopause. They include:


1. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

These therapies used mostly to treat cancer dramatically increase the risk of premature menopause. These types of treatment can damage the ovaries, which can cause menopause to start early.

2. Surgery

Surgical removal of female organs and some other procedures lead to a higher risk of premature menopause. These include removal of the uterus, one of the ovaries, cervical cancer surgery, and pelvic surgery. Surgery to remove both ovaries leads to immediate menopause.


3. Autoimmune conditions

Autoimmune disorders that can lead to premature menopause include hypothyroidism, Grave’s disease, Addison’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.


4. Epilepsy

There’s evidence that women who suffer from epilepsy are at a greater risk of premature menopause.


5. Smoking

If you smoke or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, you’re more likely to enter menopause earlier.


6. Family history

Women whose mothers or sisters experienced premature menopause are more likely to have menopause early too.


7. Prolonged stimulation of ovulation

If you use medications to stimulate ovulation for too long, it can bring on premature menopause.

Premature menopause often can’t be prevented. But you can take steps to decrease your risk of entering menopause early or at least delay it:

- if you smoke, quit;

- get enough physical activity;

- control your weight;

- eat a balanced diet and try to include more foods that contain phytoestrogens in your meals;

- don’t use skin care products that contain hormones.