Menopause
What Age Does Menopause Start?
Menopause starts at a different age for every woman. The average age is 51, but it can happen as young as in your 30s. Women with premature ovarian failure may experience menopause as early as age 15, although the average age for women with this condition is 27.
Menopause is a normal event in every woman's life. Menopause is when your menstrual cycle stops permanently due to hormonal imbalances. Typical signs of menopause and perimenopause (early onset menopause) include:
- Changing feelings about sex
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Mood changes
- Night sweats
- Osteoporosis
- Trouble sleeping
- Vaginal and urinary problems
Every women's journey through menopause is unique. Some women find it to be a difficult time, while others don’t have any problems. Most women experience some form of menstrual irregularity before their periods end.
Perimenopause
If you have increased risk factors for perimenopause, talk to your doctor to prepare for early symptoms of menopause.
Risk factors for perimenopause include:
- Autoimmune disease
- Cancer treatment
- Chromosome defects, such as Turner Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Primary ovarian insufficiency or when ovaries don’t produce the normal levels of hormones
- Smoking
- Total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy surgeries
Treatment for Menopause Symptoms
Most women don't need treatment for menopause symptoms, but if you're bothered by symptoms, you may want help and guidance from your doctor. Our treatment options for menopause symptoms include:
- Hormone therapy
- Estrogen injections
- Medications
Bassett Healthcare Network offers treatment for menopause symptoms in Central New York, including in Cooperstown, Cobleskill, Hamilton, Herkimer, and Oneonta.
