Early Menopause? It’s More Serious Than You Think—Here’s Why

A recent study revealed that women who experience early menopause before the age of 40 face an increased risk of mortality.

The research investigating the correlation between early menopause and mortality risk was presented at the 26th European Congress of Endocrinology.

Early menopause refers to women experiencing menopause before the age of 40, which is earlier than the typical onset in the late 50s. Causes of early menopause include autoimmune diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, genetic diseases, and mental health issues. Furthermore, this phenomenon can also be induced by surgery or treatments for cancer and radiation.

When early menopause is diagnosed, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is recommended to prevent complications resulting from menopause.

A Finnish research team investigated the correlation between early menopause and mortality risk by tracking and observing over 5,800 women who experienced early menopause and over 23,000 women who did not. The study included women who underwent early menopause due to surgery.

Through the research, the experts found that women who experienced early menopause had twice the risk of dying from heart disease and four times the risk of dying from cancer compared to women who did not experience early menopause, and the overall mortality risk was also twice as high. There was no difference in mortality risk between early menopause caused by surgery and naturally occurring early menopause.

Furthermore, women who received Hormone Replacement Therapy had a 50% lower risk of dying from cancer or other causes.

The researchers explained that female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, protect the heart, brain, bones, and uterus after menopause. Women with breast cancer, uterine cancer, or blood clotting disorders should not receive Hormone Replacement Therapy. However, for those without these medical histories, the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy after menopause outweigh the risks.

Based on the research results, the researchers concluded that women who experience early menopause have a higher mortality risk compared to those who do not.