What is the difference between early menopause and premature menopause?

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The distinction between early and premature menopause is based on the age at which the spontaneous cessation of menstruation occurs:

Premature menopause refers to the spontaneous onset of menopause before age 40.1
Early menopause refers to the spontaneous onset of menopause before age 45.1

Both conditions can also be induced prematurely through medical interventions, such as the surgical removal of the ovaries (e.g., during a hysterectomy) or as a side effect of treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy.1