Although menopause is a natural biological process that all women go through, there are certain medical conditions that can trigger menopause to occur earlier than expected.  Some of the most common causes of premature menopause include:

 

 

• Hysterectomies

• Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy

• Premature ovarian failure

 

Each of these conditions can strike a woman at any age and cause her body to go into menopause at an earlier stage than it would have naturally occurred otherwise.

 

Hysterectomies and Premature Menopause

 

Women may undergo hysterectomies for a variety of medical reasons.  Recurring problems with the digestive system, such as fallopian tube damage or ovarian cysts for example, can make a hysterectomy necessary.  Cancer of cervix, uterus, and ovaries can also end in a hysterectomy.  Similarly, some women with a strong history of reproductive cancers elect to have a hysterectomy as a preventative measure.  Pregnancy complications such as placenta praevia or placenta accreta can also require a hysterectomy to be performed.

 

Since there are couple different ways that a hysterectomy may be performed, a woman that goes through this procedure may or may not experience early menopause.  If only the uterus is removed and the ovaries remain in place, the woman generally will not experience menopause on a premature basis.  This is because the ovaries will continue to release eggs even though the woman will no longer experience periods.

 

If the ovaries are removed during a hysterectomy, on the other hand, the woman will definitely experience premature menopause.  This procedure is often referred to as either a total hysterectomy or a bilateral oophorectomy. 

 

When a woman goes through menopause as the result of undergoing a hysterectomy, she does not experience the perimenopausal phase. Rather, her periods stop immediately after the surgery.  In addition, women who have hysterectomies typically experience hot flashes and other symptoms typically associated with menopause.

 

Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Menopause

 

Women battling cancer and undergoing cancer treatment therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also experience menopause.  Women typically experience hot flashes and other signs of menopause either during the treatment or within three to six months following the treatment.

 

Premature Ovarian Failure and Menopause

 

For approximately 1% of the female population, menopause develops before the age of 40.  This premature ovarian failure may be the result of a number of genetic factors or a disease of the autoimmune system.  In many cases, however, doctors are unable to find the cause of the premature menopause for women that fall under this category.

 

Whether a woman experiences premature menopause as the result of a hysterectomy, cancer treatment, or other cause, it is important to seek medical attention throughout the entire process.  In addition to the uncomfortable signs and symptoms that most women experience while going through menopause, women are also at a higher risk of other diseases and disorders while going through this process.  Therefore, receiving proper care is crucial to maintaining the woman’s health.

 

Treatment strategies for women going through premature menopause are generally the same as treatment for women going through the change for natural reasons.  This may include hormone replacement therapy as well as making dietary and lifestyle changes.