Early signs of menopause women need to know

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by doctors of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Perimenopause is the transitional process of menopause in women, at which time the body will not have an ovulation cycle, menstruation will stop and no longer have the ability to reproduce. This period usually comes between the ages of 45 and 55. Menopause is considered early when it occurs before the age of 40. So what signs signal early perimenopause?

1. Signs of early perimenopause

If you haven't had a period for more than 12 months (except after giving birth), you are most likely going through menopause. Most women go through a period before menopause called perimenopause, with many changes in both reproductive function and psychology, causing many inconveniences for women as well as their families. family.
Symptoms usually start a few months or years before your period stops. On average, most symptoms last about 4 years from your last period. If you experience menopause suddenly rather than gradually, your symptoms may be more severe.
The signs of early perimenopause are the same as those of a normal perimenopause, only it occurs earlier, before age 40. Signs of early perimenopause:

1.1. Change in menstrual cycle time

The main signs of early perimenopause are irregular menstrual cycles, too long or too short, less or more menstrual bleeding, and appearing before the age of 40. Eventually, the menstrual cycle will stop completely and won't appear again.

1.2. Hot or hot

You have a sudden, short-lived hot flush that usually occurs on your face, neck, and chest and can make your skin flush and sweat.

1.3. Night sweats

Hot flashes often occur at night, causing you to sweat while sleeping.

1.4. Difficulty sleeping

Women in perimenopause often have difficulty sleeping. This can make you feel more tired and irritable than usual.

1.5. Reduced sex drive

When the amount of the hormone estrogen declines, women in this stage often have a decrease in sex drive. In addition, this hormone decline causes vaginal dryness, pain and itching or discomfort during sex.

1.6. Change feelings

Women with early menopause often change their emotions very erratically, and it is difficult to control their emotions. Sometimes anxious, sad, irritable or short-tempered.

1.7. Palpitations

Heart rate can increase causing palpitations in perimenopausal women.

1.8. Osteoporosis

This is also a sign of early menopause. The decline in the hormone estrogen causes a large loss of calcium from the bones, causing osteoporosis.

2. How is early perimenopause diagnosed?

Your doctor will order a number of tests and tests for you to diagnose early menopause:
Estrogen hormone: Signs of early perimenopause are expressed in early decline in estrogen levels. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): If your FSH levels are consistently above 30 mIU/ml and you haven't had a period for a year, you've likely reached menopause. However, an elevated FSH test does not mean menopause. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Your doctor may test your TSH level to make a diagnosis. If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), you will have high TSH levels. The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of perimenopause. Ultrasound showed a shrinking uterus. Biopsy showed atrophy of the uterine lining.

3. Causes of early perimenopause

The following are some of the causes of early menopause. However, there are also many cases where the cause of early menopause cannot be determined.

3.1. Genetic

If your mother had an early onset of menopause, you are more likely to have an early menopause as did your mother. Therefore, knowing your mother's age at which menopause begins can provide clues as to when you will begin menopause. However, genes are only part of the cause of early menopause.

3.2. Lifestyle factors

Several lifestyle factors can have an impact on the age at which you start menopause such as:
Smoking reduces the amount of the hormone estrogen in a woman's body, which can cause early perimenopause. Body mass index (BMI) can also be a factor in early perimenopause. The hormone estrogen is stored in adipose tissue. Very thin women have less storage of the hormone estrogen, so they may run out of this hormone sooner. Some studies also show that a vegetarian diet, lack of exercise, and lack of long-term sun exposure can also cause early perimenopause.

3.3. Chromosome defects

Certain chromosomal defects can lead to early perimenopause. For example, Turner syndrome involves the birth of an incomplete chromosome, with only one X chromosome in the cell. Women with Turner syndrome have underactive or underactive ovaries. This is the cause of amenorrhea or early menopause.

3.3. Autoimmune disease

Early signs of menopause can be a symptom of an autoimmune disease like thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes an organ in the body for a foreign agent and attacks it. Having one of these conditions can affect the ovaries. Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop working.

3.4. Cancer treatment

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause premature ovarian failure. This can be permanent or temporary. Your risk of early menopause will depend on:
Your age: Younger women are more likely to tolerate chemotherapy and radiation than older women. Different types of chemotherapy have different effects on the ovaries. Cancer treatment site: Risk of developing early perimenopause if the site of radiation therapy is in the brain or pelvis.

4. How to treat early perimenopause?

Menopause is unlikely but treatment can help delay or reduce symptoms of menopause, helping to improve quality of life.

4.1. Non-drug measures

Quit smoking, do not use stimulants. Actively exercise. Sunbathe daily. Eat a healthy diet rich in fiber and limit saturated fat.

4.2. Female sex hormone replacement therapy

Early menopause is caused by an early decline in the amount of the hormone estrogen in the body. Therefore, doctors can supplement estrogen hormone to delay the early menopause, as well as improve symptoms caused by female hormone decline. There are two commonly used sources of estrogen supplements: synthetic estrogens and plant-based estrogens (Phytoestrogens). Each measure has its own advantages and disadvantages. When using hormones to treat early perimenopause, you need to be very careful and follow your doctor's instructions, absolutely do not arbitrarily use to avoid side effects.

If you have early signs of perimenopause, come to a team of experienced obstetricians and gynecologists of Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and advice on choosing the most suitable treatment method for you.

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