Premature menopause can be caused by many different conditions besides surgical menopause including auto-immune diseases, treatment for cancer, genetics. And for many women, the cause is unknown.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune processes are involved in two-thirds of women experiencing premature menopause. The immune system becomes confused and produces abnormal antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues, including the ovaries by mistake. Perhaps it’s a side effect of trying to fight an infection or of chronic inflammation. Some common autoimmune disorders are: diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Surgical Removal of the Ovaries
If both of a woman’s ovaries are removed, she will undergo a ‘surgical’ menopause. This procedure is called a bilateral oophorectomy. Some of the reasons for gynaecological surgery are: endometriosis, cysts (many different varieties), fibroids and ovarian cancer.
Depending on the medical condition, a hysterectomy may also be necessary. If you are reading this before surgery, do your research, ask your consultant lots of questions, and make sure you know what is going to be removed and why. Leaving even a small part of an ovary can make a big different. If your uterus will not be removed and you think you might ever want to have children, ask about retrieving and freezing your eggs.
Hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy is major surgery. The operation leaves you both physically and mentally weak. It should only be done as a last resort.
Cancer Treatment
Some chemotherapy and hormone therapy drugs, and radiotherapy used to treat cancer can cause premature menopause.
Chemotherapy drugs affect the entire body. They are given intravenously to reach all parts of the body to treat, and hopefully cure, or to reduce the likelihood that the cancer will spread or return later. Chemotherapy drugs are targeted to kill rapidly dividing cells which characterize cancer cells. Unfortunately, they also damage normal cells which divide rapidly such as those in the hair follicles, digestive system, and ovaries.
In some women, the ovaries do not recover when the cancer treatment ends, and their periods do not return, resulting in an early menopause. Or periods may return briefly after treatment, but then stop again. The probability of the cancer treatment causing premature menopause depends on the particular protocol, the nature of the cancer, and the woman’s age.
Family History and Genetics
Recent research has discovered a hereditary genetic cause in about five percent of women experiencing premature menopause. If your mother or sisters reached menopause early, you might also.
Premature menopause can also be caused by abnormal sex chromosomes, including Turner syndrome and disorders that confer a Y chromosome (which normally occurs only in males).
Metabolic Disorders
Addison’s disease and diabetes are examples.
Viral Infections
In extremely rare cases, Infections, such as mumps or tuberculosis, may result in premature ovarian failure.
Unknown
For many woman experiencing premature menopause, no obvious cause can be identified. This often makes it harder to understand and cope with.
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