Is early menopause related to trauma?

[Sunnydays1]

Hello lovely people,

I’m 39, I lost my period at 37, it’s been two years I haven’t menstruated.. I haven’t seen a doctor about it, but sadly I feel it’s early menaupase because I had hot flashes at 37 and still do. When I have a hot flash I feel heart palpitations it’s very uncomfortable -.- I researched premature menopause and I’m at risk for heart disease, this is great I will finally Rest In Peace.

I guess the severe depression I’m having is related to my hormones.

My question: why did I get early menopause :( is this related to childhood trauma?

 

[OliveJewel]

Hard to say. Stress can cause all kinds of somatic effects and trauma can lead to heightened stress response as a behavioral pattern, but there are many things that can cause early menopause. It’s understandable that you have an aversion to doctors, however if you really want an answer to your question they would be the best ones to investigate with you the cause of your symptoms. Doctors would be much more likely to give you a reason closer to reality than strangers online unable to analyze data from your body.

 

[Sunnydays1]

Thank you OliveJewel.
I did my research on google, causes of “primary ovarian insufficiency” are unknown.
I guess I’ll never know like everything else in my life.

 

[OliveJewel]

I guess I’ll never know

unless you reach out for help and guidance. We’re not meant to live isolated lives and do everything for ourselves.

 

[Sunnydays1]

unless you reach out for help and guidance. We’re not meant to live isolated lives and do everything for ourselves.

That’s the way I did it, in my teen years I had pain where I couldn’t walk I didn’t know why and I never reached out to anyone.

 

[Friday]

My question: why did I get early menopause :( is this related to childhood trauma?

My understanding is that menopause is entirely correlated to how many eggs one still has. An early start of menstratuon, common with early / childhood sexual abuse, would run through eggs faster… but? A whole hell a lotta things effect menses starting/stopping. Both stress & malnutrition will stop a period dead, for up to several years, for example. As can several easily treated infections/illnesses. The only way to know if it’s early for sure? See a doctor.

There are a metric shitton of trauma-informed or trauma specialising OBGyns.

 

[Movingforward10]

The internet will tell you anything, so not sure how reliable this study is and if there is another study that says the opposite but:

https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20220228/intergenerational-abuse-childhood-violence-may-cause-earlier-onset-of-menopause

Child sexual abuse can trigger menopause 11 years earlier than average – study

“Confronting” findings raise wider concerns for women's health, with early menopause linked to heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia.

i.stuff.co.nz

Edited to add the second one: and to say, thank you for raising this as I had been wondering it myself. And it seems there is something in it.
Also there is another study that says menopause symptoms are worse with women with abuse in childhood.

Abuse just keeps giving it seems.

 

[arfie]

theories abound and proof of any of those theories remains unavailable. in the absence of solid answers, why ask why? i reframed my early menopause as extra years to enjoy life without the monthly curse. i don't know how many years i've been post-menopausal, but life has been a far more stable ride without the hormonal roller coaster.

 

[Sunnydays1]

Both stress & malnutrition will stop a period dead

Yes, I was anorexic in 2015, I reached a low weight 40 kilos, then I got into intermittent fasting.. I remember that missed up my cycles.
But I didn't expect that it'd lead me to losing my period.
I also had chronic stress in 2020 and 2021, that year I lost it for ever.
I am eating normally now, I'm not very thin, but the damage is done.

There are a metric shitton of trauma-informed or trauma specialising OBGyns.

I'm contemplating going to an OBGyn, just to talk and ask questions, and gain info.

Thank you Friday.

thank you for raising this as I had been wondering it myself

You're welcome Movingforward :)
Without reading any studies on the subject, I thought there's definitely a link, because I started having problems when I first had my period at 12, I had very painful periods where I could't leave my bed, and I had chronic strange pains in my reproductive system that were sudden and would come out of nowhere.. I coped by praying and ignoring. Never investigated the issue at the time.

Abuse just keeps giving it seems

I don't know what my deal is, I'm just at a loss what to do with myself.

theories abound and proof of any of those theories remains unavailable. in the absence of solid answers, why ask why? i reframed my early menopause as extra years to enjoy life without the monthly curse. i don't know how many years i've been post-menopausal, but life has been a far more stable ride without the hormonal roller coaster.

I'm glad it's been good for you.
You too had an early menopause?
But, when I reached my 20s and 30s my monthly cycle never bothered me, it was like a monthly breeze, unlike my teenage years I couldn't bear it.
Thank you arfie for bringing my attention to the bright side of it.

 

[AMR129849]

Idk the scientific answer to that, but I can tell you I suffer from prolonged grief disorder, CPTSD, acute depression, severe anxiety, severe insomnia and I am a major overthinker. I feel like people are constantly downing me or talking behind my back. I left a very abusive ex husband who was a narcissistic alcoholic former marine. He did show me his evil side until I told him I was pregnant- long and short he attempted to murder me and our son when he was 1 he beat me daily for three years and I finally got the courage to leave - I came back home to my parents, which I have come to understand they too are both narcissistic- I am currently on a waitlist for public housing and have been since 2003. I also had a widow maker heart attack and a total knee replacement, leaving me on ssdi so i obviously don’t get enough to pay regular rent anywhere. I mean I could pay rent, with no electric, phone or car ins. And groceries. I feel so stuck I just cry every day. I’d like to die but I’m too chicken to hurt myself. My only child is 27 and in federal prison for bad decisions due to being a severe addict. My life in addition to COVID AND the current situation with this country have left me agoraphobic. Now I have full blown panic attacks every time I go further than my mailbox at the end of the driveway and I have trust issues so I don’t date and have ZERO friends but I do see a therapist and psychiatrist regularly.