Menopause

Menopause or ovarian failure usually begins in women aged between the ages of 45 and 55 years old and is the result of ageing rather than illness. The World Health Organization defines early menopause as menopause symptoms beginning before age 40.

ME/CFS
A few patients with ME/CFS have reported undergoing early menopause, including Lynn Gilderdale, who had very severe ME/CFS.

Fibromyalgia
Early menopause and hysterectomy are linked to increased risk of fibromyalgia, either in the years shortly before the hysterectomy or in the year after.

Notable studies

 * 2009, Increased frequencies of hysterectomy and early menopause in fibromyalgia patients: a comparative study - (Full text)

Learn more

 * Early menopause - NHS