Premature menopause is menopause that occurs before the age of 40. Though its symptoms are similar to menopause (irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and weight and skin changes), its psychological effects can be different and understandably devastating. Women often feel as if they have been cheated, or that they are somehow defective or even asexual.

Another difference between natural and premature menopause is that women may still ovulate intermittently. This means that women with premature menopause are capable of having children, usually with some assistance. They have a 10 percent chance of spontaneous pregnancy, even years after a diagnosis, and in vitro fertilization increases the odds to 50 percent.

It’s not always clear what causes premature menopause — genetic abnormalities and autoimmune disorders are two possibilities. Women who undergo chemotherapy, radiation, or surgical removal of their ovaries also experience premature menopause. If you’re concerned that you’re going through it, there is a hormone test available. Levels of the hormones estradiol and FSH, in particular, will register at post-menopausal levels if you are undergoing premature menopause. However, most women find that they are actually in perimenopause — the normal time leading up to menopause, during which hormone levels fluctuate and slowly decline over the course of several months or years.
If you are experiencing premature menopause, like natural menopause, it can be managed. It will challenge you to rise to the occasion, though, and take control of your health. Yoga, dietary changes, and exploring the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with your doctor will enable you to live a full and healthy life.