Causes of Early Menopause
Premature or early menopause can occur for a variety of reasons from surgery to health issues to family factors. What are some of the cause of early menopause?
Menopause is considered early if it happens before a woman is 45 years old. There are many causes of early menopause as each individuals' body is unique. However, there are a few more common causes of early menopause. These include those related to surgery, health and family.
The main surgical reason for early menopause is hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. Although stopping of periods is the main indicator of menopause, it actually occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs. So removal of the ovaries is the most common surgical cause of early menopause. However, other surgeries in the abdominal area can lead to early menopause, especially if the ovaries are damaged during such surgery.
One common health reason for the onset of early menopause is premature ovarian failure. This is not the same as early menopause, but can lead to it. Though the ovaries may not produce eggs regularly, they may still produce sporadically. As the condition progresses it can lead to early menopause.
Another health factor for premature menopause is cancer treatment. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy used for treating cancer can lead to early menopause.
Family factors that influence the start of early menopause can include genetics and environmental factors. Not only can there be a genetic predisposition for early menopause, but environmental and lifestyle factors shared among family members may lead to premature menopause as well. This is important to note for when women are planning their families. In general, fertility drops in women ten years before the onset of menopause.
These are the most common causes of early menopause. However, individual circumstances and health issues can also lead to early menopause.
FURTHER READING:
WebMD; Premature Menopause; http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/premature-menopause
Menopause is considered early if it happens before a woman is 45 years old. There are many causes of early menopause as each individuals' body is unique. However, there are a few more common causes of early menopause. These include those related to surgery, health and family.
The main surgical reason for early menopause is hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. Although stopping of periods is the main indicator of menopause, it actually occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs. So removal of the ovaries is the most common surgical cause of early menopause. However, other surgeries in the abdominal area can lead to early menopause, especially if the ovaries are damaged during such surgery.
One common health reason for the onset of early menopause is premature ovarian failure. This is not the same as early menopause, but can lead to it. Though the ovaries may not produce eggs regularly, they may still produce sporadically. As the condition progresses it can lead to early menopause.
Another health factor for premature menopause is cancer treatment. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy used for treating cancer can lead to early menopause.
Family factors that influence the start of early menopause can include genetics and environmental factors. Not only can there be a genetic predisposition for early menopause, but environmental and lifestyle factors shared among family members may lead to premature menopause as well. This is important to note for when women are planning their families. In general, fertility drops in women ten years before the onset of menopause.
These are the most common causes of early menopause. However, individual circumstances and health issues can also lead to early menopause.
FURTHER READING:
WebMD; Premature Menopause; http://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/premature-menopause
Published by Jolynne M Hudnell
Jolynne is a part-time freelance writer and independently-published poet. Jolynne has knowledge and experience in a variety of topics. Jolynne enjoys singing and writing poetry. Her published work in... View profile
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