Am I too young to be in menopause?

Menopause before the age of 45 is considered to be early or premature menopause. This early or spontaneous menopause can affect up to 5% of women.

Premature menopause, premature ovarian failure and/or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) are terms that are generally used to describe early menopause, whatever the cause. Menopause can happen in your 20s, 30s or 40s, but it is still rare for menopause to happen before age 30.

You have a higher chance of going through the menopause early if:

- other women in your maternal family also had an early menopause
- If you started your periods very young
- You have an auto-immune disorder, including underactive thyroid, type 1 diabetes, and Addisons disease
- If you are very underweight
- Been through radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment
- Have taken certain hormone medicines
- If you have had surgery to remove your ovaries

One of the main symptoms of identifying early menopause is not having a regular, or missing your period completely. Other symptoms include:

- hot flushes and night sweats
- difficulty sleeping
- low mood or anxiety
- reduced sex drive
- problems with memory or concentration

If you do think that you are suffering from any of these symptoms you should book an appointment with your GP.

If diagnosed as being in early menopause, you will be advised to use hormone replacement – either HRT or the combined oral contraceptive pill – unless there are medical reasons not to take estrogen.

Hormone replacement will help with symptoms, and also protect your bones, heart and brain. There are many different types or HRT, and it might take a while to find the right one for you.

Getting diagnosed as being in early menopause can be really tough physically and  emotionally. If you're finding going through early menopause difficult and it's affecting your mental health, help and support is available.

You can get NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP first.

The Daisy Network has regular live web chats to speak to experts, and seek further support. 

For further information and support please visit the Daisy Network, or NHS websites.