Premature menopause: Emotional impact of infertility can lead to anxiety, depression, weak bones, more

Premature menopause, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), happens when a woman’s ovaries stop working before age 40. This causes a drop in oestrogen, leading to missed periods and infertility (Image: Canva)

Menopause is one of the most difficult phases of a woman’s life. It comes with a host of challenges like hot flashes, mood swings, and hormonal shifts. Most women experience menopause in their early 50s. However, for some, it starts much earlier, even in their 40s.

It is called premature menopause.

Premature menopause, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), happens when a woman’s ovaries stop working before age 40. This causes a drop in oestrogen, leading to missed periods and often making it difficult to get pregnant.

Also read | Going through perimenopause? Eat well, stay active, use natural supplements to balance hormones

According to a research, published in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society, women with POI are much more likely to experience depression and anxiety. This is not surprising, as they face both physical symptoms including vaginal dryness, weak bones, and a higher risk of heart issues, along with emotional impact of infertility.

For many, it also means a sudden change in life plans, a sense of lost control, and pressure from society about motherhood. Together, these challenges can take a serious toll on mental health.

What is early menopause

• Premature menopause and its challenges: You might assume early menopause just means hot flashes and irregular periods. But for nearly one-third of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), it also comes with depression.

• The younger you are, the harder it hits: Being told, in your twenties or thirties, that your body has entered menopause can feel like a sudden loss. Dreams of having children, or simply growing older at your own pace, are suddenly shaken—and the grief that follows can be overwhelming.

• Mental support and medical care: You’d think hormone therapy would ease the emotional toll. But surprisingly, the study found that women on hormone therapy didn’t feel less depressed than those who weren’t. That’s a powerful reminder that mental health support needs to stand alongside medical care.

• Emotional support makes a difference: Fertility grief, feeling isolated, or not having anyone to talk to are all real risk factors for depression. The women who lacked support were more likely to suffer. This is where kind conversations, supportive partners, and compassionate healthcare really matter.

• Clarity brings peace: Interestingly, women who had a known genetic reason for their condition tended to report fewer depressive symptoms. Maybe it gave them a sense of clarity. It reminds us how powerful it can be to have answers, and to feel seen and understood.