What IS early menopause? How one in 20 women will go through the change before 45

Nicola Bulley, a missing mother of two, was battling a drinking problem after going through menopause, investigators revealed yesterday.

As a result, the 45-year-old woman was deemed a “high risk” missing person after she went missing while strolling along the River Wyre in St Michael’s on January 27.

Lancashire Police said the mortgage adviser had “suffered in the past from some significant alcohol problems which were brought on by his continuing problems with the menopause”.

The revelation has raised questions about what early menopause is. The condition, which affects one in 20 women, is when periods stop before the age of 45.

MailOnline has explained what early menopause is and its effects.

Menopause marks the point at which a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row. It usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the UK average.

It is a normal part of aging and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs, which means that a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally.

As a result, the levels of the hormones produced by the ovaries (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone) decrease.

However, if menopause begins before the age of 45, it is known as early menopause. This affects five percent of women.

Signs can include irregular menstrual cycles for a few years, spotting between periods, and changes in vaginal bleeding.

Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones), heart disease, depression, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Sufferers also tend to experience menopausal symptoms more severely.

It can occur due to a chromosome abnormality, an autoimmune disease or infection, or a side effect of cancer treatments.

But in 90 percent of cases, the reason for early menopause is unknown.

Those who begin menopause earlier than expected are offered hormone therapy to replace the hormones that are normally produced. Doctors advise patients to take this until at least the average age of menopause.

Early menopause is different from premature menopause, which is the term used when a woman’s periods stop before age 40. This affects about one percent of women.

Nearly nine out of 10 women experience menopause-related symptoms, regardless of when ‘the switch’ begins.

Mental health symptoms include mood changes, such as anxiety, mood swings, and low self-esteem, as well as memory or concentration problems.

Hot flashes, trouble sleeping, palpating of the heart, headaches, and muscle and joint pain are among the physical symptoms.

As are changes in body shape, weight gain, reduced sexual desire, vaginal dryness, and recurrent urinary tract infections.

These can last for months or years and can change over time.

Menopause marks the point at which a woman has not had a period for 12 months in a row. It is a normal part of aging and occurs because the ovaries stop producing eggs, which means that a woman can no longer get pregnant naturally. As a result, the levels of the hormones produced by the ovaries (estrogen (shown in the graph), progesterone, and testosterone) decrease.

And symptoms usually begin months or years before menopause officially begins, as periods start to become irregular. This is called perimenopause.

The NHS warns that the symptoms can have a “big impact”, including on relationships, social life, family life and work.

He recommends getting plenty of rest, eating healthy, exercising, and doing relaxing activities to cope with mood swings and low moods.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of talk therapy, may also be suggested for those struggling with mental health symptoms, sleep problems, and hot flashes.

There are also vaginal moisturizers and lubricants to relieve dryness.

And the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has increased 35 percent in the past year, as women in droves have sought prescriptions to relieve their symptoms.

Nearly 2 million women in England are taking HRT, which are patches, gels or tablets that replenish the body’s estrogen levels and are hailed as life-changing.