Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and she can no longer get pregnant. It typically occurs in the early 50s, but can happen earlier, known as premature menopause (before 40) or early menopause (before 45). Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period, and symptoms can vary. According to ClevelandClinic, the exact cause is often unknown, but it marks a significant change in a woman's reproductive life. This transition can bring physical and emotional changes, and may require lifestyle adjustments to manage symptoms and maintain overall health. Support from healthcare providers can help navigate this life stage.What is early menopause?Premature menopause or early menopause occur when a woman experiences menopause at a younger age than usual. Typically, menopause happens around age 51, but in these cases, it occurs before age 40 (premature) or before age 45 (early). Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a menstrual period, marking the end of a woman's reproductive cycle.What is the earliest age of menopause?Menopause can occur in a woman's 20s, 30s, or 40s, but it's rare before 30. If menopause happens before 40, it's considered premature. Also, starting menopause at 35 is considered premature menopause, as it's earlier than the typical age range.What is the difference between premature menopause and early menopause?Early menopause is when menopause happens before age 45. It occurs in about 5% of women.Premature menopause is when menopause happens before age 40. It happens in about 1% of women. It’s rare to experience menopause in your 20s. This happens in about 0.1% of womenSigns of premature or early menopause include:Irregular periods (longer or shorter cycles)Spotting between periodsChanges in vaginal bleedingHot flashesNight sweatsVaginal drynessMood swingsSleep issuesEmotional changesOther symptoms like breast tenderness, headaches, and changes in libido.According to reports, if you're experiencing irregular periods or these symptoms, consult a healthcare provider to determine the cause.Causes of premature or early menopauseFollowing causes of premature menopause, as reported: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiationSurgery to remove ovaries or uterusFamily history of early menopauseCertain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or chromosomal abnormalitiesSmokingInfectionsEarly onset of menstruationIn many cases (up to 50%), the cause of early or premature menopause is unknown. Anything that damages the ovaries or disrupts estrogen production can lead to menopause.Can premature or early menopause be treated?Treatment for early or premature menopause may vary depending on why menopause started earlier than normal. Given the health risks associated with early menopause, providers recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT), unless there’s a reason hormone therapy is unsafe (like if you’ve had breast cancer).HRT replaces some of the lost hormones in your body. This helps reduce the symptoms and side effects of menopause, and decreases your risk of health conditions caused by early or premature menopause. Providers typically prescribe HRT until a person turns 51 years old (the time when most people reach menopause).It’s important to discuss the pros and cons of hormone therapy with your provider. If you have infertility as a result of early or premature menopause, discuss your options with a fertility specialist, who can help you achieve your goal of becoming a parent.Are there any chances of pregnancy for those who get premature menopause?Getting pregnant after premature or early menopause can be challenging, but it's not impossible. If you haven't gone 12 months without a period, there's still a chance you might ovulate and get pregnant. If you're trying to conceive, consider consulting a fertility specialist to explore options like:IVF (in vitro fertilization) using donor eggs or previously frozen eggs. Even after menopause, IVF is still a possibility with donor eggs or previously frozen eggsSurrogacyAdoptionRisks of premature or early menopause:More severe menopause symptomsSexual dysfunctionIncreased risk of health conditions due to lower estrogen levels, such as: - Osteoporosis - Heart disease - Depression - Neurological diseases like dementia and Parkinson'sAlso read | Don’t eat Thai Mangur fish this monsoon: It’s banned and may cause cancer