Women in India are increasingly finding themselves going into premature menopause before they turn 40, otherwise known as premature ovarian insufficiency. Not surprisingly, there have been serious discussions about some possible changes and health issues associated with lifestyles and various medical conditions. Not only does premature menopause impact fertility, but it also poses serious implications related to health. It affects women who have not been expecting or preparing for something as serious as premature menopause.
Recent findings using India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) show a noticeable rise in women reporting menopause before forty, with figures reaching nearly 4–5 per cent in some rural districts and around 2–3 per cent in cities. A generation ago, those numbers would have been unthinkable. The reasons for this are very layered. Genetics, autoimmune conditions, certain medical procedures, lifestyle habits, and possibly even environmental toxins are all being studied as contributing factors. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr Prachi Benara, Fertility Specialist, Birla Fertility & IVF, Gurgaon Sec- 14, shares why more Indian women are getting menopause before 40 and how IVF helps.
When Ovaries Age Too Soon
The ovaries hold a finite number of eggs from birth. Normally, this reserve declines gradually through the thirties and forties. In POI, that process accelerates sharply. Research published in BMC Women’s Health places early menopause (before 45) in about 5–10 per cent of women, while POI affects roughly 1–3 per cent. When it arrives, periods may stop suddenly or become erratic. Ovulation becomes unpredictable, and with it, natural conception grows increasingly uncertain.
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Dr Prachi Benara states, “A few women may still conceive spontaneously, but studies suggest the chance remains small over several years.” For many, these years are emotionally complex, balancing the realities of biology with the desire to still build a family.
The Role IVF Can Play
Assisted reproduction has changed what early menopause means for fertility. IVF allows specialists to make the most of even a small ovarian reserve. With carefully adjusted stimulation protocols, eggs can sometimes be retrieved and fertilised before ovarian function diminishes completely.
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Reasons Behind Early Menopause In Indian Women (Image Credits: Canva)
Dr Prachi Benara mentions, “When the number of eggs are critically low, donor eggs or embryos become an option.” Success rates with donor IVF are comparable to those in women with normal ovarian function, according to studies in Frontiers in Endocrinology. Emerging research is also exploring ovarian rejuvenation techniques, which are still experimental but showing early promise.
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Acting Early Makes All The Difference
Early diagnosis remains key. Tracking ovarian reserve through AMH and antral follicle counts helps identify women at risk long before cycles stop. Premature menopause may shorten the biological clock but with awareness, timely care, and evolving IVF technology, the path to parenthood doesn’t have to close when the calendar says it should.