Options for Women Experiencing Early Menopause
If you are planning on starting or growing your family, an early menopause diagnosis can be devastating.
Fortunately, there are options available for women with early or premature menopause who still want to experience motherhood. At Los Angeles Reproductive Center, double board-certified fertility specialists Nurit Winkler and Marc Kalan can guide you through your options and help you achieve your dreams of carrying and delivering a child. To better serve your needs, we have three practice locations in Bakersfield, Encino, and Los Angeles, CA.
What Is Early Menopause?
Menopause is the ceasing of menstruation. When menopause occurs before age 45, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service's Office Women's Health considers it early menopause. When it occurs before age 40, it is considered premature menopause. Approximately 5 percent of women experience early menopause naturally. Women who experience early or premature menopause cannot become pregnant without fertility treatment.
Early menopause does not mean you cannot grow your family. You have options.
Common Causes
Early or premature menopause can be caused by:
- Cancer and cancer treatment
- Surgical removal of the ovaries
- Surgical removal of the uterus
- Autoimmune diseases
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Chromosomal disorders such as a BRCA mutation
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Medications such as tamoxifen that reduce estrogen
- Smoking
- Family history of early or premature menopause
- Fragile X syndrome
In some cases, the causes of early or premature menopause are unknown.
Signs and Symptoms
There are certain signs that may indicate that you are experiencing early or premature menopause, including:
- Not having a period for 12 consecutive months
- Hot flashes
- Irregular periods
- Difficulty sleeping
- Decreased sexual desire
- Vaginal dryness
If you are experiencing these symptoms, our doctors can conduct testing to evaluate whether they are due to early or premature menopause.
You Have Options
Early or premature menopause does not mean you cannot grow your family. We offer advanced treatments that can help you:
Egg Freezing
If you have a medical condition that puts you at risk of early or premature menopause, our doctors may recommend freezing your eggs so that you can still consider conceiving at a later time.
To determine if egg freezing is a good option for you, our doctors can administer an Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test that measures the functionality of your ovaries.
Egg Donation
Egg donation was originally developed to help women who were experiencing early or premature menopause. This option allows you to use an egg from a donor to conceive and deliver a child. Our doctors and team will work closely with you to choose the right donor and guide you through the process from start to finish.
In Vitro Fertilization
Following egg freezing or egg donation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can help you become pregnant even after menopause. Patients of Los Angeles Reproductive Center have shown impressive success rates in being able to conceive after IVF.
Take the Next Step
If you are experiencing symptoms of early or premature menopause, or if you are worried that you could be at risk, Drs. Winkler and Kalan can provide a diagnosis and help you find a solution. To book a consultation, send us a message online or call us at (818) 946-8051.
