Advancing age is the largest factor in determining who experiences menopause. Heredity may also play some role; if your mother or grandmother experienced premature menopause (before the age of 40), there may be a greater chance that you will also go through menopause early. Most cases of early menopause have no known cause.

Other factors that may cause menopause to occur earlier than the average of age 51 include:

• Undergoing treatment for cancer including systemic chemotherapy or radiation to the pelvic area that damage the ovaries can bring on early menopause.
• Cigarette smoking may hasten menopause.
• Removal of the uterus but not the ovaries (partial hysterectomy) is associated with the cessation of hormonal cycles about four years earlier than average.
• Surgical removal of the ovaries in premenopausal women brings on menopause right away.
• Premature ovarian failure occurs when the ovaries stop releasing eggs before the age of 40, causing early menopause. Genetics may play a role in this type of early menopause.