Feb 10
22
Menopause myth #3: Age 30-40 is too young to be menopausal
The most common ages of women beginning menopause is between forty-five and fifty-five years old. The average age is fifty-one years old. Women can even be younger and start the process of “change” but it is not as common. But it is considered “normal” for this particular woman at that time.
The timing varies from woman to woman.
Having the symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep interruptions, mood swings, etc. will usually occur before menopause actually starts. (Officially, menopause is when you have no more periods.) These changes would be described more as perimenopause.
The fluctuating hormone levels are leading up to menopause. This can go on for up to ten years and not be unusual. Perimenopause usually starts between the ages of 35 and 50 years.
It is important to keep your Health Practitioner informed about your periods, because at this young age (in your thirties) skipping periods can also indicate medical problems.
Premature menopause is when women go through menopause in their thirties. This timing is considered unusually early, but for you it may be “normal.”
Medical menopause refers to menopause induced by chemotherapy, radiation, anorexia or other factors.
Surgical menopause refers to menopause induced by surgery. Removal of both ovaries results in immediate, nonreversible menopause. (Surgical removal of your ovaries can be traumatic for your system; you will go straight into menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.)
Surgical or treatment-induced menopause or a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure does often instigate a period of grieving and this can sometimes lead to depression. Professional counseling (therapy) is a way to discuss and deal with our feelings and fears in a nonjudgmental and supportive way.
Many women going through sudden or early menopause find it helpful to connect with others in the same situation. Sharing your experiences and how you feel with other women in a support group, or with a trusted friend can help you feel you are not alone. Forums and support groups online are growing and constantly evolving.
Some women expressed early menopause to be like a wakeup call. They recognized they needed and wanted to make some healthier changes in their lives before moving forward.
Women who have undergone sudden menopause may be less interested in the “natural” remedies than other women who go through menopause later in life. However, they found they were able to integrate various techniques which allowed them to manage menopausal changes more easily and use lower doses of medications to achieve relief.
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