Is It Early Menopause? Understanding Symptoms

Dear Aunt Vadge,

I had a hysterectomy at 25. They let me keep my ovaries so I wouldn’t go into menopause at an early age. Now I’ve been having severe night sweats several nights out if the week and my activity levels have severely decreased.

While this has been going on, I’ve noticed it’s hard for me to hold my bladder. Not that my bladder is full, but I have leakage and sometimes it feels like I’ve urinated on myself. Is this possible common or is there more going on than thinking I’m premenopausal? I thought I had at least 10 more years.

Thank you,
Confused
Age: 40
Country: USA
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Dear Confused,

It sounds like you have something going on and it would be best to go to your doctor and get your hormone levels checked.

Night sweats and losing your mojo could be caused by other reasons, and finding out if in fact you are entering menopause, or it’s something else either hormone-related (like interruptions to the function of your ovaries/glands in the brain that are important for hormonal regulation), is important.

It’s too difficult to offer advice over the internet, so your doctor is your best bet. They’ll know what to test you for and what questions to ask.

Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge