Early menopause

Reaching menopause between ages 40 and 45 — defined as early menopause in the research behind this page — is far from rare. A US national survey tracking women from 1959-1962 through 2015-2018 found that 11.8% of women with natural menopause reported it happening in this age range in the most recent survey period, down from 16.7% decades earlier. See our typical perimenopause age guide for the broader timeline this fits into.

If your periods stopped before age 40, that's a different, specific diagnosis — see our premature ovarian insufficiency guide instead.

What's linked to earlier menopause

The same national survey found that, after adjusting for other factors, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, poverty, current or former smoking, and hormone therapy use were associated with earlier age at natural menopause and a shorter reproductive life span, while more years of education and oral contraceptive use were associated with later menopause. These are population-level associations, not predictions for any individual.

Why bone and heart health get extra attention

Reaching menopause earlier means more years living with lower estrogen levels before the typical midlife range, which is why NICE guidance specifically recommends discussing bone health at every review appointment and explaining the importance of muscle-strengthening activity. See our bone health after menopause guide for more.

For hormone therapy specifically, both NICE and The Menopause Society describe a more favorable benefit-risk balance for people under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset — which, for someone reaching menopause at 42, covers a substantial stretch of time.

It's okay if this is hard to process

Reaching menopause years earlier than you expected can bring up grief, identity questions, or fertility-related distress that aren't just about physical symptoms. NICE specifically recommends psychological support, with referral to psychology services if needed, for anyone experiencing early menopause who feels distressed by the diagnosis or its consequences.

Prepare for your appointment

Log your symptoms in our private symptom tracker, and check any supplement someone suggests against our Does It Work? evidence directory before trying it.