Causes and Risk Factors
Outside of medically-induced menopause, we cannot yet conclusively say what causes premature or early menopause – in most cases, no single cause is ever identified.
However, research has pointed to a number of factors that seem to be linked to it: family history, genetics, your reproductive history, lifestyle factors such as smoking, and even social and economic circumstances.
If you are trying to understand the ‘why’ behind your premature or early menopause, this will be worthwhile reading in full – including what is known, and what is still not known.
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Evidence-based menopause information for South African women.
Page last reviewed: 1 March 2026
Next review due: 1 March 2027