Menopause and Perimenopause
Cause
Menopause is a natural part of aging. As you age, the number and quality of your eggs decline, Reference hormone Opens New Window levels fluctuate, and your menstrual cycle becomes less predictable until it finally stops completely.
Causes of early menopause
Certain lifestyle choices and medical treatments can cause or are linked to an earlier menopause, including:
- Smoking. On average, women who smoke reach menopause 1½ years earlier than those who don't. The longer you have smoked and the more you smoke, the stronger this effect is likely to be.Reference 1
- Radiation therapy to or removal of the Reference pituitary gland Opens New Window.
- Reference Chemotherapy Opens New Window.
- Reference Radiation therapy Opens New Window or other treatment to the abdomen or pelvis that damages the ovaries so that they no longer function.
- Genetic and Reference autoimmune diseases Opens New Window.
- Removal of both Reference ovaries Opens New Window (oophorectomy), which causes sudden menopause.
- Low body fat.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference April 26, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine |
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