Introduction
Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years and typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. For some women, though, menopause happens much earlier—in their 30s or even late 20s. This is referred to as early or premature menopause; the cause is often unknown. The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 52, but 5% to 10% of women experience early menopause. These women often have not only emotional but also physical consequences to deal with, including osteoporosis, severe hot flashes, and urinary issues.
Understanding Early Menopause
Menopause can happen early due to numerous reasons. Some are genetic, and women can have early menopause if their mothers or sisters did. Some autoimmune disorders can predispose women to early menopause, and some medical treatments—like chemotherapy or radiation—that are meant to treat conditions can push women into menopause (these treatments can also harm the ovaries). Certain lifestyle choices may also be a factor. In this era, wherein many conditions can be treated, and where preserved lives are often of utmost importance, we do not have an open dialogue about how anything we do can harm our bodies or our fertility.
Causes of Early Menopause
- Genetics: A woman’s family history plays a significant role in deciding the age at which she will reach menopause. If a woman’s mother or sister experienced menopause early, there’s a good chance she might, too.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Premature ovarian failure and early menopause can result from conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
Medical Treatments: Some treatments for cancer, including chemotherapy and radiation, can cause damage to the ovaries and result in early menopause. - Surgical Ovary Removal: Women who have their ovaries removed (oophorectomy) will experience immediate menopause.
- Lifestyle Factors: An earlier onset of menopause has been associated with smoking and diet.
The Impact of Early Menopause on Fertility - Decline in Ovarian Reserve
One of the most significant impacts of early menopause is the decline in ovarian reserve, which refers to the number and quality of eggs remaining in the ovaries. Women with early menopause often have a reduced number of viable eggs, making conception more challenging. - Hormonal Changes
The regular ovulation cycle can be disrupted by the hormonal changes that occur with early menopause. If a woman is not ovulating regularly, she is not conceiving naturally. These women may have very irregular cycles or may not be having cycles at all. This makes it even more challenging to pinpoint the fertile window that occurs during a natural cycle. - Increased Risk of Infertility
Investigators have found that women who go through early menopause suffer a greater incidence of infertility. The drop in the number and quality of their eggs can lead to tough and troublesome pregnancy attempts where many hopeful parents may need to resort to some type of assisted reproductive technology (ART), like in vitro fertilization (IVF), to achieve the much-desired result of a positive pregnancy test. - Emotional and Psychological Effects
The emotional burden of early menopause can also have consequences for fertility. Women may feel sadness, mourning, and worry about their ability to have children because of early menopause. These feelings can also create tension between women and their partners and affect mental health. Addressing the emotional facet of this issue is just as important as discussing the physical toll early menopause takes on women.
Coping Strategies for Women Facing Early Menopause
Although premature menopause may be tough, women can enact many different coping strategies to mitigate its effects on fertility and their overall health.
Those strategies include:
- Being proactive about seeking assistance with infertility, including exploring a range of possible avenues such as egg donation, embryo adoption, and surrogacy.
- Considering hormone replacement therapy, which can help relieve a number of symptoms that many women experience during menopause.
- Seek Medical Guidance
It is very important for women who are going through premature menopause to work closely with their healthcare provider. A reproductive endocrinologist can offer a great deal of specialized knowledge in this area. For one thing, these experts can help women understand what their options are for preserving fertility. That might mean discussing the possibility of egg freezing (more correctly called oocyte cryopreservation) or embryo freezing. (Some women who are single might want to use sperm from a partner or a sperm donor.) Both techniques allow women to have children later in life. - Explore Fertility Treatments
For women who want to conceive, looking into fertility treatments is a must. They have several options to consider, such as:
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF can be a viable option for women with diminished ovarian reserve. Using donor eggs may also be considered if the woman’s eggs do not have a sufficient quality to achieve a viable pregnancy.
Egg Donation: Women often select donor eggs from younger women to maximize their potential for a successful pregnancy. - Medications for Fertility: Physicians may order drugs to provoke the maturation of eggs and the release of one or more during the monthly cycle when the chances for getting pregnant are highest.
- Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy, nutritious diet can be very beneficial to women’s fertility. They should try to consume the following: - Plenty of fruits and vegetables. These should make up half of their diet. They should eat a variety of colors and kinds, and they shouldn’t be shy about eating them. They should eat a lot and as many different kinds as possible.
- Whole grains. These should be the base of a woman’s diet. Brown rice, quinoa, farro, wheat berries, and the like should be consumed instead of white pasta, white bread, and so on.
- Balanced Diet: Consuming a rich array of nutrients in a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can favor hormonal health.
Exercising on a regular basis can elevate one’s mood, alleviate stress, and enhance one’s general health. - Don’t Smoke and Don’t Drink Too Much: Avoiding smoking and keeping alcohol to a minimum can help fertility and boost health overall.
- Manage Stress
For women experiencing early menopause, stress management is crucial. Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are good ways to reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being. Seeking support from friends, family, or support groups can also be very helpful. Understanding and comforting remarks from loved ones can make a world of difference. - Consider Counseling or Therapy
The emotional toll of early menopause can be hard for many women to bear. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help work through feelings of grief, loss, and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in dealing with the anxiety and depression that some women experience when they are faced with fertility issues. - Build a Support Network
Having connections with others who are facing the same sorts of problems can lend much-needed reinforcement. I have drawn from this well repeatedly over the last few years. Friends with similar experiences have offered support that has been vital for me. The types of friends I have are listed below. - Educate Yourself
Power comes from knowledge. When it comes to the matters of their health and fertility, women can make informed decisions only when they have this knowledge. They can gain it in several ways, such as reading books, scouring trustworthy websites, or attending workshops where the content taught is assuredly of high quality. Enriching and empowering themselves with resources of this kind can light the way for women when it comes to all the shades of early menopause and their appearance in one’s life.
Conclusion
The ability to conceive and a woman’s emotional health can be greatly affected by early menopause. But with understanding and coping strategies, the transition can be tackled head-on. Elma Chaim, a consultant for this article, found that help in many forms contributed to her navigating early menopause. Chaim is a certified life coach with a private practice, and for the last 10 years, she has piloted an emotionally supportive program at Breakfast for Women, a nonprofit that works with a diverse group of women.