According to the U.S. Department of Health and human Services, the average age menopause happens is 52. Menopause is considered early if it occurs between the ages of 40 and 45, which happens in approximately 5 percent of women. Some circumstances can cause a woman to enter menopause before the age of 40. When women under 40 enter this stage, it is called premature menopause. 

Removal of Ovaries

Certain conditions, such as cancer, may require surgical removal of the ovaries as part of the treatment. Because the ovaries drive the menstrual cycle, removing them will halt a woman's periods and trigger the onset of menopause. Ovary removal prior to age 40 initiates premature menopause. The sudden cessation of menstrual cycles following surgery can cause more severe menopausal symptoms than with the natural progression to menopause.

Cancer Treatments

In addition to ovary removal surgery, other types of cancer treatments can also cause premature menopause to occur in some women. Some types of chemotherapy drugs can interfere with estrogen production. Radiation therapy can cause permanent damage to ovaries. Both types of treatment can both halt ovulation and cause periods to stop. When the ovaries cease to function, menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sleep problems can come on suddenly and be severe. 

Genetics

Premature menopause may be a trait that runs in some families. A mutation on a gene may be a cause of primary ovarian insufficiency, a condition that results in premature menopause. During the fetal stage, females develop the egg cells they will carry with them throughout their lives until the cells eventually die off and menopause happens. A genetic mutation may cause fewer egg cells to develop in some fetuses, so they are born with fewer egg cells. This results in a condition called primary ovarian insufficiency, which causes women to go through menopause in their 30s or earlier. 

Health Risks of Premature Menopause

After menopause, women have an increased risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or developing osteoporosis. Reaching menopause earlier means being at risk for these conditions at a younger age than most women. Premature menopause can also have a negative effect on brain function. A study of nearly 5000 women showed that women who entered menopause before the age of 40 were 40 percent more likely to experience cognitive issues with language and memory than women who reached menopause at 50 or older. 

Talk to your OB/GYN to learn more.