# Early menopause: what it is, why it matters and how it is treated > Early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency: at what age they are diagnosed, the long-term effects on bone, heart and brain, and why treatment… Published: 7 July 2026 · Medically reviewed by: Op. Dr. Murat Alpay **Early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency: at what age they are diagnosed, the long-term effects on bone, heart and brain, and why treatment differs from menopause at the usual age.** **Short answer:** The menopause happens at an average age of 51. When the ovaries stop working between 40 and 45 it is called early menopause; before 40 it is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). The main symptoms are irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep and vaginal dryness. Because losing oestrogen early raises the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, hormone therapy is usually recommended in this situation until the natural age of the menopause. [The menopause](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/menopoz-nedir/) is a natural stage in every woman's life and usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. In some women, however, the ovaries slow down or stop working far earlier than expected. **Early menopause** is not simply the end of periods — it is a process with long-term consequences for a woman's health. ## What counts as early menopause The menopause is diagnosed once at least **one year** has passed since the last period. The average age is **51**. When ovarian function stops between the ages of **40 and 45**, this is called **early menopause**. If it happens **before the age of 40** — in the twenties or thirties — it is called **premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)**. Whether below 40 or between 40 and 45, women in this situation often experience the signs of oestrogen deficiency intensely: irregular periods, severe hot flushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, vaginal dryness and difficulty concentrating. Related treatment page [Treating the Menopause](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/menopoz-tedavisi/) Menopause treatment covers the hormonal and non-hormonal options for relieving menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. [Details →](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/menopoz-tedavisi/) ## Why it matters so much The significance of early menopause is not limited to the early loss of fertility or to hot flushes that reduce quality of life. Oestrogen acts as a powerful shield for the heart, the blood vessels, the bones and the brain. Losing that shield at a young age carries serious long-term risks. The evidence shows that untreated early menopause can lead to: - **Bone loss (osteoporosis):** oestrogen deficiency accelerates bone loss and substantially raises the risk of fracture in later years. - **Heart and vascular disease:** the risk of heart failure, heart attack and stroke is markedly higher than in women who reach the menopause at the usual age. - **Brain health:** loss of oestrogen before 45 can increase the later risk of cognitive decline, memory problems, dementia and parkinsonism. For these reasons, specialists warn that untreated early menopause can shorten life expectancy. ## Is the treatment different from menopause at the usual age? Yes — definitively. In a woman reaching the menopause at, say, 52, hormone therapy is generally used to relieve hot flushes that are affecting her quality of life. In early menopause, and in POI, hormone therapy is not a matter of preference: it is **a medical necessity for protecting long-term health**. The main differences are: - **A higher dose is needed.** A younger body is physiologically accustomed to higher oestrogen levels. Women with early menopause therefore usually need **higher doses** than the standard given to women over 50, both to protect bone and heart health and to relieve symptoms. - **A longer course.** Where hormone therapy after a menopause at the usual age is generally planned as short-term, women diagnosed with early menopause are strongly advised to continue **at least until the usual age of the menopause — around 51** — without interruption, to protect heart and bone health. - **The risks are different.** There is a widespread fear that hormone therapy causes cancer. That fear comes from studies carried out in older women, over 60. Guidelines state clearly that **hormone therapy in women with early menopause does not increase breast cancer risk compared with their own peers** — that is, women whose ovaries are still working normally. The risks of bone loss and heart attack that come from *not* treating early menopause are considerably more dangerous than the possible side effects of treatment. If you are under 45 and have irregular periods, hot flushes or a long absence of periods, it is worth having this assessed properly rather than putting it down to stress. See also [the long-term risks of the menopause](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/menopozun-riskleri/) and [menopause treatment](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/menopoz-tedavisi/). Written and reviewed by **Op. Dr. Murat Alpay** Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology · Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa) [Full biography →](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/hakkinda/) [← All posts](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/) --- Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/erken-menopoz-nedir-belirtileri-onemi-ve-tedavi-yaklasimlari/ Last updated: 2026-10-08 Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya 0505 351 77 88 · Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday *This information is for general guidance only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.*