# At What Age Does Menopause Start? What Is Early Menopause? - Page: https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-age-and-early-menopause - Published: 27 October 2026 - Topics: Menopause, Hormonal balance, Early Menopause - Topic page: Perimenopause and Menopause https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/topic/menopause - Publisher: care with .ki (content principles: https://www.carewithki.com/en/editorial-policy) ![At What Age Does Menopause Start? What Is Early Menopause?](https://www.carewithki.com/blog/en/menopoz-yasi-erken-menopoz.jpg) > Most women reach natural menopause between 45 and 55 (WHO). The average age in the US is 52 (US National Institute on Aging). If periods stop before 45, it is called early menopause; before 40, premature menopause (NHS). Early menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, so it should always be discussed with a doctor. Most women reach natural menopause between 45 and 55 (WHO). The average age in the US is 52 (US National Institute on Aging). If periods stop before 45, it is called early menopause; before 40, premature menopause (NHS). Early menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, so it should always be discussed with a doctor. **In brief:** - Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. - Menopause before 45 is early; before 40, it is premature. - Smoking, a family history of early menopause and some medical treatments increase the risk of early menopause. - Replacing the hormones lost in early menopause is generally recommended; a doctor makes the decision. ## At what age does menopause start? Menopause age scale: premature before 40, early at 40–45, most women at 45–55, average US age 52; worldwide prevalence of ovarian insufficiency before 40 is 3.7% According to the World Health Organization, most women reach natural menopause between 45 and 55. The average age in the US is 52 (US National Institute on Aging). Menopause does not happen in a day. Periods first become irregular; this transition is called perimenopause and may last several years (WHO). Menopause is diagnosed retrospectively after 12 consecutive months without a period, when there is no other cause. We explain symptoms during this stage in [What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/menopause-symptoms). ## What is early menopause? According to the NHS: - **Early menopause:** Regular periods stop before the age of 45. - **Premature menopause:** Periods stop before the age of 40. This is also referred to medically as premature ovarian insufficiency. It may be more common than expected. A meta-analysis combining studies worldwide found a 3.7% prevalence of ovarian insufficiency before 40 (Golezar et al., 2019). ## What causes early menopause? Risk factors for early menopause: family history, periods starting early, smoking, low weight; treatment-related causes: chemotherapy or radiotherapy, some hormone medicines, removal of the ovaries Often, no specific cause is found. Risk factors listed by the NHS include: - A family history of early menopause - Periods starting at an early age - Smoking - Low body weight Some treatments can also cause early menopause (NHS): - Chemotherapy and radiotherapy - Some hormone medicines - Surgical removal of the ovaries The WHO notes that menopause before 40 can also be associated with chromosomal differences and autoimmune diseases. ## What are the symptoms of early menopause? The clearest sign is periods becoming irregular or stopping completely before 45. Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating may accompany this (NHS). Missed periods may also have other causes, including pregnancy, substantial weight loss, intensive exercise or thyroid problems. See a doctor if your periods become irregular or stop before 45. Other causes are covered in [When and Why Do Irregular Periods Happen?](https://www.carewithki.com/en/discover/when-and-why-irregular-periods-happen). ## Why does early menopause matter? Oestrogen plays a role in protecting bones and the cardiovascular system. In early menopause this protection declines earlier, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease (NHS). The NHS states that replacing lost hormones is important if menopause starts before 45. The main options are hormone therapy or the combined contraceptive pill. A doctor decides which is suitable and for how long. ## When should you see a doctor? - If your periods become irregular or stop before 45 - If menopause symptoms begin before 40 - If you have a family history of early menopause and notice symptoms - If your periods change after chemotherapy, radiotherapy or ovarian surgery ## Frequently asked ### Is menopause age inherited? A family history of early menopause is a risk factor (NHS). Your mother's menopause age can give an indication, but is not a definite prediction. ### Does smoking bring menopause forward? Smoking is one of the risk factors for early menopause listed by the NHS. ### Can you become pregnant with early menopause? Early or premature menopause makes pregnancy more difficult (NHS). In premature ovarian insufficiency, the ovaries can occasionally function, so spontaneous pregnancy remains possible, although rare. Hormone therapy does not prevent pregnancy (ESHRE, 2024). If you do not want to become pregnant, discuss contraception; if you do, discuss options such as IVF with your doctor (NHS). ## References - World Health Organization (WHO). Menopause. Fact sheet, 16 October 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause - NHS. Early or premature menopause. Last reviewed 11 March 2025. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-premature-menopause/ - National Institute on Aging (NIA). What Is Menopause? Content reviewed 16 October 2024. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause - Golezar S, Ramezani Tehrani F, Khazaei S, Ebadi A, Keshavarz Z. The global prevalence of primary ovarian insufficiency and early menopause: a meta-analysis. Climacteric, 2019;22(4):403–411. [doi:10.1080/13697137.2019.1574738](https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2019.1574738) - Panay N, Anderson RA, Bennie A et al. (ESHRE). Evidence-based guideline: premature ovarian insufficiency. Human Reproduction Open, 2024;2024(4):hoae065. [doi:10.1093/hropen/hoae065](https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoae065) _This article is general information; it is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation._