What Are Some Early Signs of Menopause? Doctors Share Symptoms That Manifest Sooner Than Expected
If you’re experiencing any of these sensations at age 45 or earlier, you may be going through an early menopause
Most women understand that they’ll experience menopause in their early 50s. While symptoms differ for everyone, irregular periods or hot flashes are two common ones that could likely occur at some point during this time of life. So, what are the early signs of menopause and when will you experience them? Here’s everything you need to know.
What are the early signs of menopause?
“Early signs of menopause are similar to the symptoms when undergoing menopause, which can include hot flashes, sleeping problems, brain fog, mood changes, electric shock feelings, and more,” explains Tara Scott, MD, board-certified in OB-GYN, functional medicine, and integrative medicine and Versalie Medical Advisor.
Stephanie Culver, MD, MSCP, MA, FACOG, Staff Physician at Pandia Health, adds that there are over 30 symptoms and counting that women can experience during this time, and the most common include “vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, depressive moods, enhanced anxiety, mood swings, night sweats, painful menstrual periods and declining hormone levels.” Irregular periods are also standard during this shift before periods stop altogether.
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The difference is, that some women can experience these symptoms at age 45 or younger, marking an earlier menopause transition than usual. Sometimes early menopause is associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) because the ovaries stop producing eggs earlier than expected. Typically, egg production stops at 51, and periods are either stopped completely or irregular with POI. However, early menopause can impact people as young as age 40, and perimenopause is increasingly occurring in younger women.
What causes early menopause?
Hormone fluctuation is a big contributor to why you may be experiencing early signs of menopause. “During menopause, your body begins to produce less estrogen, which is one of the main hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, and this reduction of estrogen levels in the body contributes to common menopausal symptoms,” says Dr. Scott.
Your levels may dramatically change during this time as well. “What surprised me most about the early stages of menopause is how sudden and unpredictable these fluctuations can be,” says Gina Nick, NMD, PhD, a licensed naturopathic physician with a focus on hormone balance and women’s health. “One day, estrogen may be quite high, and the next, it drops significantly, causing noticeable shifts in mood and energy levels.”
Dr. Nick compares these changes to a rollercoaster and unfortunately, many women are caught off guard when they first experience signs of menopause. Additionally, these premature symptoms can be an alarm for more severe health concerns.
Early signs of menopause can cause potential health risks
Due to the loss of hormones, menopause symptoms can affect bone and heart health in addition to other physical and mental health concerns. “Early menopause can increase the chances of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diseases related to memory loss,” says Dr. Scott.
She also points to a study that showed a markedly increased risk of heart disease for women who experience menopause before the age of 45.
Dr. Nick adds that one of the main risk factors associated with early signs of menopause is the decrease in bone mineral density, primarily due to the decline in progesterone. “Progesterone is one of the first hormones to drop during perimenopause and plays a vital role in bone health and building,” she says. (Learn how osteoporosis can be genetic, too.)
Treatments for early signs of menopause
The most effective treatment for early signs of menopause is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). “For some women, natural hormone replacement therapy, including bioidentical hormones, can be an effective option,” says Dr. Nick. “This may include micronized progesterone capsules and bioidentical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream, and sometimes even a small dose of testosterone.”
If HRT isn’t the right path for you, lifestyle adjustments such as diet and exercise can also help to alleviate the medical conditions associated with the symptoms of menopause. Dr. Nick adds, “Managing stress is critical, as high cortisol levels can worsen menopausal symptoms. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and spending time in nature can help regulate stress.”
Keep in mind that every woman’s menopausal journey will look different. “It’s important to know you’re not alone and there are resources out there to support you and provide you answers and clarity including Versalie, a digital-first platform that seeks to provide connections, support, and resources for individuals with varying degrees of menopausal symptoms and hormonal changes all in one place,” says Dr. Scott.
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