Is menopause at 48 too early?

Many women are very worried when they reach menopause, because their menstruation may disappear at any time during this period. For women, menstruation is as important as a life partner. Once it disappears, women will feel very frustrated and helpless, and even have physical problems. The time when menstruation ends varies according to the conditions of each woman. For example, is menopause at the age of 48 too early?

There are normal and abnormal amenorrhea in women. Normal amenorrhea includes amenorrhea during pregnancy and menopause; abnormal amenorrhea includes amenorrhea caused by diseases and diseases caused by mental factors.

Generally speaking, in our country, the average age of menopause in rural areas is 46-47 years old, and in cities it may be a little later because of better nutrition, around 50 years old. This is the normal age of menopause, but menopause is also related to genetics.

Amenorrhea is a common symptom of gynecological diseases. The causes of amenorrhea are complex and include developmental, genetic, endocrine, immune, mental disorders and other problems. It can also be caused by tumors, trauma and drugs. The establishment of a normal menstrual cycle depends on the neuroendocrine regulation between the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis and the cyclic response of the endometrium to changes in gonadal hormones. Therefore, changes in any of the above links can lead to amenorrhea. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of amenorrhea should be targeted at the cause.

Anyone who is over 18 years old and has not yet had menstruation is called primary amenorrhea; it is mostly caused by congenital abnormalities, including abnormal development of the ovaries or Müllerian tissue.

After the menstrual cycle is established, the absence of menstruation for more than 6 consecutive months is called secondary amenorrhea, which is mostly caused by secondary diseases.

True amenorrhea refers to the absence of menstruation due to some reasons, such as mental factors, malnutrition, anemia, tuberculosis, excessive curettage, endocrine dysfunction, etc.

Pseudo (or latent) amenorrhea refers to the inability to discharge menstruation due to adhesion and closure of the lower reproductive tract caused by congenital maldevelopment or acquired damage.