Early Menopause

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At what age does menopause usually start?

Menopause usually occurs between ages 45 and 55. Women who experience menopause at an earlier age have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Natural menopause (not surgically or chemically induced) is considered:

  • Premature if it occurs before a woman is 40 years old
  • Early if it occurs between 40 and 45 years

What helps determine when a woman goes through menopause?

  • The length of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Menopause is officially confirmed only after you have gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
  • A woman’s cardiovascular risk profile during her reproductive years
  • A woman’s race and ethnicity (Many Hispanic and Black women experience menopause at younger ages.)
  • If her ovaries were removed during a hysterectomy

Last Reviewed: Oct 26, 2026