Once considered a midlife milestone, menopause is now arriving earlier for many Indian women — sometimes in their late 30s or early 40s. Doctors are seeing a sharp rise in cases of premature or early menopause, driven by a mix of lifestyle, environmental, and hormonal factors.

Every year, World Menopause Day observed on October 18 aims to raise awareness about menopause and the support options available for improving women’s health and well-being during this life stage. Now, experts are sounding the alarm: Indian women are entering menopause much earlier than their Western counterparts. On average, Indian women experience menopause at the age of 46–47 years — several years earlier than women in the West.