Not a Factor. Here are three things you might think would influence menopause age, but don't: Age at first period. Although the average age of menarche (onset of first menstrual period) has been getting younger in U.S. women, there hasn't been a corresponding shift in the average age at menopause.

Is menopause related to menarche?

It remains uncertain whether age at menarche is associated with age at menopause. Some studies report that women with early menarche also have early menopause. Other studies report that women with early menarche have late menopause, or they report no association.

Does the age you start your period determine menopause?

Data from four countries suggests a link between starting menstruation by age 11 and earlier menopause. Women who get their first period when they were 11 or younger are more likely to hit menopause before the age of 40, a study finds.