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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 produce estrogen. But such an operation may cause menopause to occur earlier than average.
References
- Perimenopause. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/perimenopause.cfm. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Lund KJ. Menopause and the menopausal transition. Medical Clinics of North America. 2008;92:1253.
- Casper RF. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of menopause. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. The menopausal transition. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90:S61.
- Bradshaw KD. Menopausal transition. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3158526. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Menopause basics. In: Menopause Guidebook, 6th ed. Cleveland, Ohio: The North American Menopause Society, 2006. http://www.menopause.org/edumaterials/guidebook.aspx. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- The changing body. In: Menopause Guidebook, 6th ed. Cleveland, Ohio: The North American Menopause Society, 2006. http://www.menopause.org/edumaterials/guidebook.aspx. Accessed Aug 3, 2010.
- Chen EC, et al. Menstrual disturbances in perimenopausal women: What's best? Journal of Family Practice. 2009;58:331c.
- Borrelli F, et al. Alternative and complementary therapies for the menopause. Maturitas. 2010;66:333.
- Menopausal symptoms and CAM. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://www.nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/menopausesymptoms.htm. Accessed Aug 5, 2010.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Aug 16, 2010.
- Alfhaily F, et al. Acupuncture in managing menopausal symptoms: Hope or mirage? Climacteric. 2007;10:371.
- Cho SH, et al. Acupuncture for vasomotor menopausal symptoms: A systematic review. Menopause. 2009;16:1065.
- Daley AJ, et al. Exercise to reduce vasomotor and other menopausal symptoms: A review. Maturitas. 2009;63:176.
- Tremblay A, et al. Psychoeducational interventions to alleviate hot flashes: A systematic review. Menopause. 2008;15:193.
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