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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• Premature menopause facts
• What is premature menopause?
• What causes premature menopause?
• Who is at risk for premature menopause?
• What are the symptoms for premature menopause?
• What tests are used to diagnose premature menopause?
• Is there any treatment for premature menopause?
• What are complications of premature menopause?
• What is the outlook (prognosis) for premature menopause?
• Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town
• Premature Menopause (Medical Procedural Causes) Index

The symptoms of premature menopause are those of typical menopause. They can include:

• mood swings,
• vaginal dryness,
• cognitive changes,
• hot flashes,
• decrease in sex drive, and
• sleep disturbances.

Irregular periods usually precede the menopause and can begin years before periods actually cease.

No special tests are needed to determine the absence of menstrual periods, but sometimes women having symptoms of menopause and irregular periods may be tested to determine their ovarian function. For example, tests may be done to rule out pregnancy or other causes of missed menstruation, like certain thyroid diseases. The level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is often measured in the blood to determine whether a woman is nearing menopause and how well her ovaries are working. FSH stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen, so levels of this hormone rise when estrogen levels drop. FSH levels that are higher than 40 mIU/ml are considered characteristic of menopause. Levels of ovarian hormones such as estradiol may be also measured, as low levels (levels less than 32 pg/ml) are suggestive of menopause.

There is no treatment that can reverse or prevent premature menopause. However, women who have reached menopause do have treatment options that can help control unpleasant symptoms.

Types of treatments for symptom relief include:

• Hormone therapy: hormone therapy (HT, estrogen therapy, ET) is available in different forms including pills, patches, transdermal sprays, or gels or creams. Localized hormone treatments are also available for intravaginal use. HT/ET is the most effective way to control symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Because HT/ET has been associated with certain health risks (heart attack, stroke, and breast cancer), experts recommend using the lowest effective dose of hormone therapy for the shortest time possible.
• Oral contraceptive pills are a form of HT that is sometimes used to help relieve menopausal symptoms.
• Antidepressant medications: The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related medications have been shown to be effective in controlling the symptoms of hot flashes in up to 60% of women.
• Non-hormonal vaginal gels, creams, and lubricants can help prevent the symptoms of vaginal dryness.
• Assisted reproductive technologies like pregnancy using donor eggs may be considered for women with premature menopause who desire to become pregnant.