Premature Menopause

When you reach 40, you may start to notice signs of progression toward menopause. However, some women may notice such changes before 40.

- Thina Mthembu

Menopause occurs when a woman stops ovulating and her monthly period ceases. Many women reach menopause between the ages 45 and 55, with the average age being around 51. However, there are a small percentage of women who experience menopause before the age of 40. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Q. What causes early or premature menopause?

Premature menopause means that your ovaries have spontaneously stopped working before reaching the age of 40. Women can be affected in their teens or early 20s for any of the following reasons:

Autoimmune conditions – About 10 to 30 percent of affected women have an autoimmune disease, such as hypothyroidism, Crohn’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Genetic conditions – such as familial ovarian failure and rarely, galactosaemia. The latter occurs when the body cannot convert the carbohydrate galactose into glucose. It is thought that the unconverted galactose could be toxic to the ovaries. About five to 30 percent of women have an affected female relative, which suggests a genetic link such as:

• Conditions characterised by enzyme problems, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, can also bring premature menopause.