Premature menopause is when the ovaries stop functioning earlier than usual and menstruation stops. It usually develops before the age of 40. In some women, it can occur in their 30s, and rarely even earlier.

If Early Menopause is in the Family, Does the Risk Increase?

Yes, genetic factors are very decisive in the risk of early menopause. If your mother, aunt or sister had early menopause, your risk is higher. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will also have early menopause, it just means that you need to be more careful.

When should I consult a doctor?

If you have the following conditions, it is strongly recommended that you consult an obstetrician:

• If you are under 35 years of age and have started to experience menstrual irregularities
• If you have a family history of early menopause and have fertility plans
• You experience menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness
• If you are curious about your ovarian reserve

What does the doctor do? Which tests are performed?

An obstetrician will first listen to your complaints and family history and may perform some tests:

• AMH test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone): One of the most reliable tests to determine ovarian reserve.
• The hormones FSH and LH: Provides information on whether menopause is approaching.
• Ultrasound: The number of follicles in the ovaries is assessed.
• Other hormone tests may be ordered if necessary.
• Can I Prevent Early Menopause?

It is not possible to be completely “protected”, but it is possible to delay the process or manage it healthily with some steps:

• Healthy diet and regular exercise
• Quitting smoking and alcohol use
• Stress management
• If the ovarian reserve is low, egg freezing to evaluate fertility preservation methods such as

If you are at risk of early menopause or are concerned about it, it is very important to take early action to both protect your fertility and have a healthy menopause.