 [ Symptoms ] is there a difference between early menopause premature menopause and premature ovarian failure [ Disease ] overall menopause means the failure of ovaries to produce estrogen estrogen builds up the lining of the uterus so that there is something to shed as a period technically if your uterus is removed with a hysterectomy you will have no more periods yet if the ovaries are still in place and working a woman is not yet in menopause if ovaries are taken out that is considered surgical menopause  according to the north american menopause society early menopause is when the last natural menstrual period occurs before age 45 while premature menopause indicates a woman aged 40 or less premature ovarian failure pof like premature menopause also is linked to being age 40 or younger among researchers who study pof a term used first by the french    ovarian insufficiency    may become the new standard term for pof