Why Does Early Menopause Happen?

Menopause is a phase in life that all women enter when they’re blessed enough to reach the age for it. We often expect it to happen to us once we approach our senior years, right? However, some of us in Singapore aren’t so lucky, like this tale of a woman who entered menopause at 44 years old. 

You might wonder if this situation warrants a visit to a women’s health clinic in Singapore. The short answer is yes, it definitely does! Not because it’s a life-threatening condition of any sort but because the symptoms can still be uncomfortable for you. It can also derail any plans you still might have to get pregnant. 

Let’s have a chat about what early menopause entails and how you can reduce your risk of it happening to you. 

How Early Can Menopause Happen to Women?

It's early if you become menopausal between the ages of 40 to 45. If it happens during your 30s or even 20s, that’s considered premature instead. 

It’s important for us to be able to distinguish between early or premature menopause and primary ovarian insufficiency or POI because people often confuse one for the other. With POI, you’ll still have occasional periods and might even get pregnant. But with menopause, your menstrual cycle will come to a complete halt, permanently stopping you from conceiving.

What Causes Early Menopause? 

There’s no definite reason why menopause can occur early, so I’d recommend going to your women’s clinic in Singapore to narrow down the possible causes for yours.

Generally speaking, a range of factors can affect your overall chances, such as: 

• Genetic Predisposition - Like with some diseases, a family history of early menopause makes you more likely to experience it as well. 

• Lifestyle Choices - Bad habits like smoking and poor diets can cause hormone imbalances and reduce the healthy eggs in your ovaries. 

• Environmental Hazards - Do you regularly encounter toxins like pesticides and chemicals from industrial plants? If your job or living conditions expose you to them for prolonged periods, they could further damage your ovaries and trigger early menopause. 

• Medical Conditions and Treatments - Some autoimmune diseases and infections can attack your ovaries and impair their function. Meanwhile, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation could also damage otherwise healthy ovaries and increase your risk factor. 

Can You Reverse Early Menopause? 

Frankly speaking, you can’t — at least for now. Though there’s been research on potential menopause reversal treatments, these studies are still in their early stages and aren’t 100% guaranteed to work. It just goes to show that you can’t completely stop a process that naturally happens to all women.

Let Your Gynae Know Your Menopause Concerns 

While science can’t stop early menopause just yet, the gynae at your women's clinic in Singapore can recommend ways to reduce your risk or manage the common symptoms. Some strategies they can suggest for you include: 

• Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT can increase your oestrogen levels to reduce hot flashes and night sweats.

• If HRT is too high-risk for you, they can prescribe non-hormonal medications instead. 

• The gynae can also suggest diet plans to limit the foods that could trigger your symptoms.

A stronger mind can better cope with menopause’s side effects, so don’t be afraid to approach your gynae if your mental health suffers too. They can direct you to support groups and counselling aimed towards women in the same circumstances as you. 

Early Menopause Is Not The End

It’s certainly scary to experience menopause while you’re still younger. But don’t let it define your life. With the tips we have here and those recommended by your women’s health clinic in Singapore, you can gain more control over your physical and mental well-being. 

Let’s face this new chapter of your life without fear, shall we?

About The Author

Emily Teo is a passionate marketing professional dedicated to advancing women’s health and wellness. With a keen eye for strategy and storytelling, she helps raise awareness about essential services, from pregnancy care to minimally invasive surgeries and treatments for common gynecological concerns. Driven by a deep understanding of women's unique health journeys, Emily is committed to making a meaningful impact - ensuring more women have access to the care and knowledge they need to thrive.