Causes of Early Menopause
There are three main reasons for women to experience early or sudden menopause.Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) is primarily caused by an autoimmune disorder. In this instance, your bodies immune system mistakenly attacks itself. For some reason, your body reacts to what it believes to be disease and sends out a fleet of antibodies to combat the perceived threat. When the antibodies are directed to your bodies reproductive system, your ovarian functioning my be seriously damaged to completely destroyed. As a way of keeping yourself informed, you can check your family history to see if there is evidence of autoimmune disorders.
Early menopause can also be induced by surgery. If you have both your ovaries removed (Oophorectomy) or have both your ovaries, your uterus and both fallopian tubes removed (Hysterectomy) your hormone levels drop instantly and dramatically and you will experience instant menopause. Menopause induced by surgery can be much more challenging to deal with. First you are having major surgery, possibly as a result of disease (ovarian cancer). And second, menopausal symptoms are more intense thanks to the sudden loss of hormone production.
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Even if you do not have your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, the ovaries may be damaged during the surgical procedure or the blood flow to the ovaries may be affected resulting in early menopause. For the same reasons, early menopause may come from having a tubal ligation ("tubes tied").menopause symptoms Information and Services
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Radiation Therapy, Chemotherapy and Tamoxifen, can also damage the ovaries. This is referred to as chemically induced menopause. Sometimes, ovarian functioning will return to normal after the chemical treatment has been completed. However, sometimes, even though your period returns, you are no longer fertile. Tamoxifen, which is often prescribed for women who have breast cancer serves to block your bodies ability to make estrogen. Your bodies natural reaction to this is menopause. And again, once Tamoxifen treatment has been stopped, ovarian functioning may return.
Other causes of early menopause include excessive weight loss (anorexia). This is a very serious health issue which should be treated immediately.
