Menopause is a naturally occurring biological process for women, typically starting between 45-55 years of age. This process describes the termination of the menstrual period due to the decrease in the production of eggs by the ovaries, associated with decreasing levels of hormones (e.g. estrogen and progesterone) that enable fertility. Early-onset menopause describes a woman entering menopause at 40 or younger. Women who experience early menopause are more likely to have certain genetic markers compared to women who develop menopause at a later age.
During menopause, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and decrease estrogen and progesterone hormones. There are complications when a woman begins to show symptoms of menopause in earlier years.
Symptoms of Menopause:
Hot flashes: flushing in hot skin, and often drenching sweat of about 30 sec - 5 min
Night sweats
Irritability: nervous/moody feeling
Weight gain
Decreased libido
Changes in hair/skin textures
Difficulty sleeping
Vaginal dryness
What are the genetic factors that lead to premature menopause?
Most of these conditions are related to chromosomal anomalies, or treatments for the prevention of linking conditions, such as cancer.
In an article about Fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency, the author suggests that most women with FXPOI have irregular menstrual periods and experience problems with fertility Shriver (2021). The inheritance of the FMR1 gene poses a higher threat of inherited intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
Similarly, females who are missing an X chromosome (45, X karyotype), partially/completely, are identified as Turner’s Syndrome, which is also associated with cases of early menopause. It is one of the most common chromosome anomalies in humans, and people with TS do not undergo puberty unless they receive hormonal therapy.
Another genetic mutation that is known to contribute to the cause of early menopause is a condition with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, genes associated with risk reducing surgeries (such as prophylactic oophorectomy) to prevent breast and ovarian cancer.
Although this article aims focuses on genetic factors, early menopause can have various causes:
Autoimmune disorders – thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis affects ovarian function
Surgical interventions – Oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) led by health conditions such as ovarian cysts
Cancer – complete removal of ovaries, or results of chemotherapy/radiation therapy, damaging tissues in the ovary
External factors – excessive smoking, exposure to toxic chemicals/pollutants
Idiopathic – Not able to be defined clearly; not clearly identifiable
Comments