What Increases Your Risk of Menopause Menopause is supposed to occur at the age of 45. But it will occur at any age following the removal of both the ovaries, and this process is known as (oophorectomy). Ovaries can be damaged by Radiation therapy or other treatment. This leads to the cause of early menopause. Other factors that are responsible for early menopause are: Heavy smoking. Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Chemotherapy. Genetic and autoimmune diseases. Treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH-As). Radiation therapy to or removal of the pituitary gland. Radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis.