One of the medical service areas we specialize in at Your Family Medical is women’s health and wellness. One thing we love about this specialty is that it allows us to encourage and empower strong, successful and smart women of all ages to make their health a priority.
One of the ways we do that is through patient education. Today we are going to be sharing some information about premature and early menopause. If you or someone you love thinks they might be experiencing either condition, we welcome you to contact our women’s health Flower Mound TX clinic (locations also in Bedford, Benbrook, Boyd and Justin as well) to schedule a well-check and learn more.
What is Premature and Early Menopause?
To answer that question, we must begin with defining menopause. Menopause is the title the medical community uses to mark the end of a woman’s reproductive period in life. Once a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, she is in menopause. This concept can also apply to the time [and associated symptoms] leading up to menopause (Perimenopause) as well as the time following menopause (Post menopause).
Premature menopause is when menopause begins before the age of 40. It is also referred to as primary ovarian insufficiency.
Early menopause is when menopause begins between the ages of 40 and 45.
Causes & Symptoms
There are several known causes of early and premature menopause. Women’s health specialists also see cases that occur spontaneously without a known cause. Some of the more common causes include:
- Genetics or chromosomal abnormalities
- Surgical removal of uterus and/or ovaries
- Smoking
- Family history
- Autoimmune conditions
- Side effect of specific treatments (i.e. chemotherapy or radiation)
The symptoms of premature menopause and early menopause are the same as the symptoms of menopause.
- Irregular cycles
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fluctuations/changes in mood
- Hair loss
- Decreased libido
- Weight gain
- Infertility
If you are looking for help managing these symptoms, we currently have Flower Mound doctors accepting new patients (locations also in Benbrook, Bedford, Boyd and Justin). Give us a call today!
Treatments
Just as each woman is unique, the best approach to treating premature or early menopause will also need to correlate with their unique cause. However, the most commonly recommended treatment is hormone replacement therapy.
The physicians at Your Family Medical offer a specialized type of hormone replacement therapy called Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy. To learn more about the benefits of this treatment, visit our dedicated Hormone Replacement Therapy page or read more about it in our blog post about this state-of-the-art treatment!
Women’s Health Flower Mound TX
Whether you have specific concerns about early menopause or you’re simply looking for a trusted women’s health specialist, we are here for you. Our goal is to help you prioritize your health in practical ways so that you continue living out your life to the fullest. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment today.
