Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. It can affect anyone who has periods.
The main symptom of early or premature menopause is not having your period regularly or your periods stopping completely before the age of 45.
Other symptoms can include:
- hot flushes and night sweats
- vaginal dryness
- difficulty sleeping
- low mood or anxiety
- reduced sex drive
- problems with memory or concentration
Find out more about the symptoms of menopause
See a GP if:
- you think you have menopause symptoms
If you're under 45 and having menopause symptoms, a GP may sometimes do blood tests.
You have a higher chance of early or premature menopause if it runs in your family.
It's also more likely if you:
- started your periods early
- smoke
- are underweight
Early or premature menopause can also be caused by treatment for other conditions.
This includes treatments such as:
- radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- certain hormone medicines
- surgery to remove your ovaries
The main treatments for early or premature menopause are medicines such as the combined contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace the hormones that are at low levels.
It's important to replace missing hormones if you've started menopause before the age of 45 because there's a higher chance of getting problems with your bones and heart.
But if you've had certain types of cancer, such as certain types of breast cancer, you may not be able to have hormone treatments.
You can also try making lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms and stay healthy, such as exercising regularly and eating calcium-rich food like yoghurts.
Find out more about things you can do to help with menopause symptoms and how menopause is treated.
If these treatments and making lifestyle changes do not help and you're still getting symptoms, you can be referred to a specialist menopause centre.
Find your nearest NHS or private menopause specialist on the British Menopause Society website
Early or premature menopause can affect both your physical and mental health.
You'll have a higher chance of developing conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
If you're finding early or premature menopause difficult and it's affecting your mental health, help and support is available.
You can get NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP first.
Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression
Early or premature menopause means you may find it harder to get pregnant.
You may be able to have children through IVF using either your own frozen eggs or donor eggs.
There are also options such as surrogacy or adoption.
Find out more
- Help and support if you're going through menopause
- The Daisy Network: for premature menopause
- Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority: fertility treatment
- Adoption UK
- Surrogacy UK
