Yes, it is possible to experience menopause at the age of 30, although it is not common. Around 3 in 100 females experience premature menopause, which is menopause before the age of 40. Most females experience menopause between the ages of 46 and 55 years.
In the lead-up to menopause, there are usually gradual changes in a person’s menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods. When a person has not had a period for 1 year, they fit the definition of being in menopause. Once a person reaches menopause, they are no longer able to get pregnant.
What causes premature menopause?
Some people enter menopause abruptly if they have medical treatment that induces it. This includes surgery that removes both ovaries or treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy for cancer.
Doctors may not be able to identify an obvious cause of premature menopause. Sometimes, it runs in families, so if a mother experiences premature menopause, her daughter’s chance of experiencing it is higher.
A lack of periods can be due to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), which results from a premature loss of ovarian follicles. This leads to lower levels of female reproductive hormones. POI causes females to skip periods or have no periods at all, and people may or may not experience other symptoms of menopause.
The cause of POI is unknown, but genetics and autoimmune disorders may play a role. With POI, it is possible for the ovaries to release eggs and to get pregnant, although the chances are greatly reduced. Some females with POI resume typical periods, and others do not, so it is difficult for doctors to predict what will happen.
If a female under 40 years misses three or more periods, they can talk with a doctor about possible causes. A doctor may suggest a blood test to determine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. A high FSH result may indicate POI.
Long term health risks of premature menopause
Premature menopause can have long-term health effects, such as increasing a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease and premature bone loss. If a doctor diagnoses premature menopause, they will likely suggest taking menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) to replace the estrogen the ovaries are underproducing.
Taking MHT can help reduce long-term health risks. However, it is not suitable for everyone, such as people who have had breast cancer or have risk factors for it.
Premature menopause can also significantly affect a person’s emotional well-being. Aging prematurely and losing the ability to become pregnant can be extremely difficult for young people to come to terms with. The Daisy Network is a charity for females with POI. It provides advice and support from people who understand the effects premature menopause can have.
Learn about female reproductive organ anatomy.
