What causes early menopause?

The cause of early menopause is unclear in 90% of women. However, certain risk factors can increase the risk of early or premature menopause, including a family history of early or premature menopause, starting your period at a young age, smoking and being underweight. Certain medical or surgical treatments and health conditions can also result in early or premature menopause. These include bilateral oophorectomy, hysterectomy, cancer treatments, chromosome abnormalities and some treatments for endometriosis.