What is a premature menopause?
Premature menopause (ovarian failure) is defined as menopause before the age of forty years. FSH levels are high and oestrogen levels low as is typical of the menopause. It occurs in 1% of women. Premature menopause may affect women who have had chemotherapy for malignancy. About 10% of women will reach the menopause before 46 years. When the menopause occurs early, the protection from ovarian hormones is lost and this results in increased risk of early heart disease and osteoporosis. Women who have had a premature menopause are prone to early onset coronary heart disease. Hormone replacement therapy should always be carefully considered.
Occasionally, ovulation may occur leading to pregnancy and this is then called resistant ovary syndrome. Sadly, those diagnosied with premature menopause conceive naturally on rare occasions and they tend to be reported in the medical literature. Normal inhibin levels may possibly indicate a resistant ovary rather than premature menopause. For those who do not wish to conceive, contraception seems wise. For those who want to conceive, the most likely means of conception would IVF and donated eggs. Claims of other forms of infertility treatment have yet to be substantiated.
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Pharmacological options in resistent ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure. (2006-01)
- Premature ovarian failure, endothelial dysfunction and estrogen-progestogen replacement. (2006-02)
- Premature ovarian failure in the early age 20s: 3 case reports. (2005-01)
- An unusual case of ovarian resistance syndrome. (2003-01)
- Twin gestation two years after the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure in a woman on hormone replacement therapy. A case report. (2002-01)
- Pregnancies in patients with premature ovarian failure. (1997-01)
- Donation of oocytes as treatment for infertility in patients with premature ovarian failure. (1994-01)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What will happen to me at my menopause?
- 2 Why does nature put women through the menopause?
- 3 Is life-expectancy changing?
- 4 What happens to my reproductive hormones at the menopause?
- 5 What non-hormonal changes occur at the menopause?
- 6 What problems might I have as a result of my menopause?
- 7 When am I likely to reach my menopause?
- 8 What is a premature menopause?
- 9 What are hot flushes and will HRT reduce them?
- 10 What causes hot flushes and night sweats?
- 11 Can my bladder problems be related to the menopause?
- 12 Can the menopause be associated with psychological problems.
- 13 How long can my menopausal (climacteric) symptoms last?
- 14 Is there a test that will accurately determine when my menopause has occurred?
- 15 Is it normal to experience heavy periods before the menopause?
- 16 How are heavy periods around the time of the menopause treated?
- 17 Is there a need to investigate vaginal bleeding after the menopause (postmenopausal bleeding)?
- 18 What could be the cause of vaginal bleeding after the menopause?
- 19 What is atrophic vaginitis?
- 20 What local genital symptoms can be associated with the menopause?
- 21 I have gone through the menopause and now have some bleeding (postmenopausal bleeding PMB). What will my gynaecologist wish to do?
- 22 Could I have any other long-term medical problems resulting from my menopause?
- 23 What is coronary heart disease?
- 24 What is osteoporosis?
- 25 Where else can I obtain further information?
- 26 Could I have some recommended menopause support groups.
Thank you for choosing to visit us.
This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
