What Premature Menopause is, and your options for having a family
Premature Menopause (also known as Premature Ovarian Failure) is the name given to describe women who experience menopause before the age of 45. Sometimes this can occur as early as 20. Obviously if a woman stops having periods and ovulating at this young age, then natural conception will be impossible.
Premature Menopause can have health implications too and put the woman at increased risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures and heart disease, so formulating an appropriate treatment plan with your doctor or alternative healthcare practitioner is essential.
Treatments
There are various hormone replacement therapies (HRT) in the form of tablets which can be taken. The contraceptive pill also contains these hormones and may be used to alivate symptoms, although this form of treatment can cause blood clots and is not suitable for women who wish to try for a family.
There are also hormone patches, gels and a hormonal vaginal ring (worn in the upper part of the vagina for 3 months at a time).
Alternative therapies include wild yam creams, vitamin therapy, evening primrose oil, St. John's Wort and having a diet rich in soy beans.
What Causes Premature Menopause?
Sometimes the cause is not known, other times the woman may be a survivor of cancer and the chemotherapy or radiotherapy may have had the affect of shutting down her ovulation.
What Are My Options For Starting A Family?
You have several choices:
- IVF - sometimes the drugs used to stimulate ovulation may kick start you into ovulating. If this is impossible, then donor eggs may be used to achieve pregnancy. This is definitely a good option as not only will you carry a child, but breast feeding that child helps protect you against osteoporosis and bone fractures, which are a common side-effect of menopause, so giving birth and breast feeding will actually have a positive affect on your condition.
- Surrogacy - hiring another woman to carry your baby and then surrender the baby to you after birth.
- Adoption or fostering.
For further information on these options, please see other suite 101 infertility articles.
