Is There A Link Between Severe PMS and Early Menopause?

How many times have you Googled information about your menstrual cycle across your lifetime?

If you’re anything like the average woman experiencing the ups and downs of hormonal shifts and changes, the searches are too many to count.

This doesn’t always change when it comes to menopause. Periods may be behind you, yes, but now, you’re navigating a new world of menopausal changes, hormonal fluctuations, and symptoms that could either be related to menopause or something else entirely.

For women who’ve experienced severe PMS, many of the challenges menopause brings may be familiar. One particular question that’s often at the top of their search list is: ‘Is there a link between severe PMS and early menopause?’. With a range of research investigating whether or not such a link exists, examining what’s been discovered can be helpful for women who are used to intense PMS symptoms and who are looking to understand the path ahead.

What is PMS?

PMS can encompass a range of physical and emotional symptoms alike, occurring before a menstrual period arrives. No two women will have the same experience of PMS, with symptoms varying in intensity and frequency from individual to individual.

These symptoms can look like:

• Mood swings: including rapid, often intense, and unexpected fluctuations in moods
• Irritability: such as an increased sense of sensitivity and the ability to become easily agitated
• Bloating: characterised by a sensation of fullness or swelling around the stomach, as well as potential discomfort
• Fatigue: an ongoing sense of tiredness and a lack of energy
• Food cravings: particularly for sweet or salty foods, which can often be intense and persistent
• Tender breasts: including sensitivity or pain in and around the breast tissue
• Anxiety and tension: including feelings of unease or concern that aren’t tied to a specific cause 

For some women, symptoms can be so severe they result in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Don’t suffer through menopause’s symptoms on your own. With support from the Australian Menopause Centre, we can reduce their impact and severity. Contact us today to learn more.

What is early menopause?

For most women, menopause begins in their late 40s or 50s. Early menopause, however, takes place before the age of 45, marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years earlier than the average. With approximately 5% of women experiencing early menopause, causes can range from natural to lifestyle related.

How are severe PMS and early menopause linked?

There’s no one easy answer as to whether or not severe PMS can be an indicator of early menopause, with various studies pointing to different potential links. A September 2023 study of 3,635 women discovered that those who struggle with premenstrual disorders were more likely to then experience early menopause, as well as its symptoms, including hot flushes and night sweats. 

While severe PMS won’t always mean early menopause, for women who do experience severe PMS symptoms, this can lead to a more intense experience of menopause itself.

Unfortunately, PMS-like experiences can grow worse during perimenopause, with symptoms becoming more severe as periods become increasingly irregular. This can also make it harder for women to manage their symptoms, dealing with differences in frequencies and predictability across cycles. 

There is some good news at the end of the tunnel, however – since menopause generally resolves PMS, the onset of early menopause can bring women who’ve suffered with severe PMS a step closer to being free from the impact of fluctuating hormones.

How to support both severe PMS and early menopause symptoms

If you’re no stranger to managing severe PMS symptoms, managing early menopause symptoms will be a familiar process. For many women, the best results are found when taking a holistic approach that encompasses physical, emotional, and lifestyle considerations.

These management tools can include:

• A balanced diet. Adequate and ongoing nutrition is crucial when it comes to managing hormonal fluctuations. By building a diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, you can give your body the necessary support it needs for a stable mood and energy levels.
• Regular, consistent exercise. Exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health and can make a dramatic impact on both PMS symptoms and early menopause alike. Incorporating activities like yoga, walking, and swimming can all be useful when it comes to reducing stress, improving moods, and contributing to a higher quality of sleep. 
• Proactive stress management. Did you know that stress can make both PMS and menopause symptoms worse? By leaning on techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness, you can support the reduction of your stress levels, leading to a potential improvement in your physical symptoms.
• Getting enough sleep. Unfortunately, severe PMS and early menopause can both lead to sleep disturbances, making it difficult to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. By prioritising sleep, you can work to counteract these sleep disruptions, continuing to provide your body with necessary support. 
• Balancing hormones with external support. For some women, medication support can be necessary in reducing the impact of fluctuating hormones. Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy can be effective in providing this ongoing balance.
• Engaging with a support network. While lifestyle modifications and medication can all help to offset the impact of PMS and early menopause, emotional support is also crucial. Don’t discount the power of your friend group or an external support team when it comes to navigating these major changes. 

While these management tools may work well for some, it can be a mixture of trial and error for others. It’s important to keep the highly personalised nature of menopause in mind in order to take the pressure off when it comes to finding the right pathway for each individual experience.

Conclusion

Severe PMS and the potential early onset of menopause may not be at the top of your wish list, but with a proactive approach and careful education, you can find the support you need to minimise the disruption they bring to your life. By focusing on self-care and building in key lifestyle management strategies, severe PMS and early menopause don’t need to mean the end of your routine or capacities. 

The potential link between severe PMS and early menopause is a powerful reminder to all of us of just how complex our bodies can be. Understanding them, paying attention to their changes, and seeking appropriate, supportive care can help us to take control of our own narratives, enabling us to navigate all that’s ahead with knowledge and confidence.

Find the support you need for every symptom and experience menopause brings at the Australian Menopause Centre.