When does menopause start?
Menopause typically begins at age 40, though certain circumstances can lead to an earlier onset. A woman may experience premature menopause if she has had a hysterectomy, chemotherapy, or damage to the ovaries. Early onset can also be caused by chromosome defects, genetics, and autoimmune diseases. Theories that aim to explain why women evolved to undergo menopause suggest that it is the responsibility of older women to encourage and help younger women bear and raise children. This is why it generally begins when a woman reaches 40 years of age.