What Causes Menopause?
It’s Not Just “Getting Older”—There’s a Clear Biological Shift Behind It All
Menopause is often treated like an inevitable part of aging. And while time does play a role, the real cause lies in the body’s changing hormone landscape. For most women, this transition is natural and gradual. For others, it can be sudden and medically induced. Either way, understanding what’s happening under the surface can provide clarity—and relief.
The Menopause Association is here to help you make sense of these changes and understand your own path through the menopausal transition.
The Root of It All: Hormonal Changes
The most common cause of menopause is a natural decline in the production of reproductive hormones. As you age, your ovaries begin to produce less estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—three hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle, fertility, and many other systems in the body.
Over time, ovulation becomes less regular and eventually stops. Without regular ovulation, hormone levels drop and periods cease. This gradual transition is what leads to perimenopause and eventually menopause
Learn more about how these hormonal changes affect symptoms
Other Causes of Menopause
Menopause doesn’t always follow a predictable timeline. Some women experience it earlier than expected or as a result of medical intervention. These are known as induced or secondary causes of menopause.
Surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy) causes immediate menopause, regardless of age. Because hormone production stops abruptly, symptoms can be more intense and sudden compared to natural menopause.
Women who undergo a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may not realize they’ve reached menopause unless their ovaries are also removed. If the ovaries remain, menopause still occurs naturally, just without the visible sign of menstruation.
Chemotherapy or Radiation
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or pelvic radiation can damage the ovaries and lead to early menopause. This can happen temporarily or permanently depending on the type and intensity of treatment.
For women facing menopause as a result of cancer therapy, the focus often includes both symptom relief and long-term hormone health. The Menopause Association offers specialized resources for managing symptoms in these cases.
Some women experience menopause before age 40, even without surgery or medical treatment. This is known as POI and may be linked to genetics, autoimmune conditions, or unknown causes.
Though less common, POI affects fertility and hormone levels and may require early hormone therapy to reduce long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
A Personal Process, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Event
Whether menopause arrives naturally or unexpectedly, it’s a deeply personal experience shaped by your biology, lifestyle, and life story.
Understanding the cause behind your transition helps guide treatment options and sets the tone for how you’ll move through the next stages—whether that’s managing symptoms, exploring treatments, or finding community support.
At The Menopause Association, we believe you deserve clear answers and trustworthy guidance, no matter where or how your journey begins.