Section 22. Women's Health Issues

Chapter 243. Menopause

Topics: Introduction | Premature Menopause

Premature Menopause

Premature menopause (premature ovarian failure) is the permanent end of the cyclic functioning of the ovaries and thus of menstrual periods before age 40.

Hormonally, premature menopause resembles natural menopause. Estrogen levels are low.

Premature menopause may result from genetic abnormalities, including chromosomal abnormalities, or from an autoimmune disorder, in which the body produces abnormal antibodies that attack the body's tissues (including the ovaries). Other possible causes of premature menopause include metabolic disorders and chemotherapy for cancer. Premature menopause has the same symptoms as natural menopause, such as hot flashes and mood swings.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Identifying the cause of premature menopause can help doctors evaluate a woman's health risks and recommend treatment.

For women younger than 30, a chromosome analysis may be performed. If a chromosomal abnormality is detected, additional procedures and treatment may be required.

Estrogen therapy can prevent or reverse the symptoms of menopause. However, a woman with premature menopause has less than a 10% chance of becoming pregnant. She has up to a 50% chance of becoming pregnant by having another woman's eggs (donor eggs) implanted in her uterus after they have been fertilized in the laboratory (see Section 22, Chapter 254).