Menopause is caused by the loss of estrogen in the female body. Because of the fluctuation in female hormone levels, the body adapts, transitioning to compensate for the lack of estrogen and progesterone being produced.

However, other events and conditions in a female’s life can bring upon menopause and menopausal symptoms much earlier in life. Surgery to remove the uterus  will cause periods to stop, the definition of menopause. However, because ovaries are untouched, symptoms such as hot flashes may not begin to occur immediately. Over time as ovaries begin to create less hormones, symptoms and signs of menopause could begin.

However, a surgery where both ovaries are removed, an oophorectomy, along with the uterus could trigger instant menopause symptoms regardless of the female’s age. This is because the body has just lost its main and immediate supply of estrogen.