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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffMenopause is a normal phase in a woman's life. But in some women, it may occur earlier than in others. Although not always conclusive, some evidence suggests that certain factors may predispose you to entering perimenopause at an earlier age, including:
- Smoking. The onset of menopause occurs one to two years earlier in women who smoke, compared with women who don't smoke.
- Family history. Women tend to experience menopause around the same age as their mothers and sisters, although the link between family history and age at menopause is still inconclusive.
- Never having delivered a baby. Some studies show that never having had a baby may contribute to early menopause.
- Childhood cancer treatment. Treatment for childhood cancer with chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy has been linked to early menopause.
- Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy that removes your uterus, but not your ovaries, usually doesn't cause menopause. Although you no longer have periods, your ovaries still release eggs. But such an operation may cause menopause to occur earlier than average.
