Early Periods, Early Menopause? A Gynaecologist Explains the Link

Some women get their periods early, while some get it later. Many women wonder whether the age a woman gets her period has anything to do with the age she hits menopause. You may be surprised to know that these two indeed have a connection. Want to know how? This article will explain it in detail.

To understand this better, we reached out to a top gynaecologist, Dr Lavanya Kiran, Director and Lead Consultant, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, KIMS Hospitals, Electronic City, Bengaluru.  

Is Early Onset of Periods Linked to Early Menopause?

Dr Kiran says that many women question whether going through early menarche implies that menopause will follow early as well. Answering this, Dr Kiran says, “The reality of the situation is a little more complicated. What we commonly understand as menstruation starts at menarche and varies from about the ages of 10 to 15 years of the individual. Whereas menopause usually occurs around 45-55 years of age.”

The expert further explains, “Age of menopause can depend on a number of factors, such as genetics, health, smoking, lifestyle, and certain medical treatments. Nevertheless, certain research suggests that young girls who have early menarche (below 11 years old) are likely to develop earlier or premature menopause. However, the link between the two is not very significant, and that does not imply early menopause is unavoidable.”

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Dr Kiran says that women must pay attention to symptoms such as: 

• Irregular menstrual cycle.
• Hot flushes.
• Night sweats.
• Mood changes.
• Dryness in the vagina.
• Problems with sleep, particularly prior to the age of 40. 

“These symptoms must be evaluated medically. Instead of paying attention to the age of the onset of menstruation, women should rather follow a healthy lifestyle, eat healthy food, do exercises regularly, avoid smoking, and have regular gynaecological checks. These actions lead to better chances of sustaining reproductive health and help women cope with the process of menopause,” adds the expert.

What Study Says About Early Periods’ Link With Early Menopause 

A 2018 study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, shares that early natural menopause, which happens before age 45, can increase a woman's risk for various health issues such as heart disease and bone loss. It adds that for years, women wanted to know if getting your first period at a very young age means you will also experience menopause earlier than average. To find the answer, researchers examined data from the massive Nurses' Health Study 2. 

The study analysed over 1,08,000 premenopausal women, who were between the ages of 25 and 42, when the research started. The participants were carefully followed for up to 20 years to examine who experienced natural menopause before reaching age 45. 

Out of the vast group, nearly 2,800 women went through early natural menopause without medical causes such as surgery or chemotherapy. The findings clearly indicated a strong link between the early onset of periods and an earlier menopausal timeline. The study noted that women who got their first period at age nine or younger had a significantly higher risk of experiencing early menopause, as compared to those who started at age twelve. 

Moreover, the length and regularity of a woman's cycles in her late teens and early twenties played a major role in this timeline. The research stated that women who typically had short menstrual cycles of less than 25 days were significantly more likely to face early menopause. On the other hand, women who had longer or more irregular cycles were actually found to have a much lower risk of early menopause. 

The researchers state that these patterns reflect the speed at which a woman's body uses up its limited natural supply of eggs. Shorter and highly regular cycles mean more frequent ovulation. The body's egg supply may simply deplete faster over a lifetime. The study confirms that an early start to menstruation, coupled with short and regular cycles, is indeed closely associated with early menopause. 

ALSO READ- What is Perimenopause Rage? Gynaecologist Shares Tips To Cope With It

Conclusion

Many studies indicate that starting your period at an early age can increase the likelihood of experiencing early menopause. However, it is not an absolute guarantee. Research suggests this connection is primarily driven by the speed at which a woman's body uses up its natural egg supply, especially for those who also have notably short and regular cycles. However, medical experts note that genetics, overall health, and lifestyle choices are equally significant factors in determining your menopausal timeline.