Is premature ovarian insufficiency on the rise?
Our health expert takes a closer look at premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and the links to perimenopause.
Your health expert: Dr Samantha Wild, Women’s Health Clinical Lead
Publish date 22 January 2026.
Next review: January 2027
Dr Samantha Wild, Women’s Health Clinical Lead, Bupa Health Clinics, explores growing search interest around premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and sheds light on whether cases are truly increasing, or whether more people are becoming aware of the possibility of perimenopause symptoms and menopause in your 30s.
What is primary ovarian insufficiency?
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), or premature ovarian insufficiency, is when menopause symptoms start before you reach the age of 40.
During this time, the ovaries start functioning differently. This can affect the amount of oestrogen produced in your body, how regularly eggs are released and your ability to get pregnant.
POI used to be referred to as ‘primary ovarian failure’, but this term is no longer used.
The condition is often confused with another called early menopause, however they’re not the same. POI happens below the age of 40, causing intermittent periods that may stop completely, but you could still occasionally ovulate. Early menopause happens between the age of 40 and 45. This is earlier than the average age of menopause, but later than the age someone would go through premature menopause.
Your searches about premature ovarian insufficiency
Our research shows that between July 2021 and June 2025, the UK’s Google search habits around premature ovarian insufficiency have seen significant growth.
Signs of early menopause in your 30s
39 times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
Perimenopause at 33
14 times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
Causes of POI
24 times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
POI diagnosis
24 times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
Perimenopause age 38
Seven times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
Perimenopause 34
Six times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
POI meaning menopause
Five times as many searches in 2025 compared to 2021
Why are more people searching for premature ovarian insufficiency?
Dr Samantha Wild says,
“There are a few reasons why more of us might be noticing and researching changes in our menstrual cycles earlier than expected. One key factor is the growing awareness around menopause. As a society, we’re becoming more open and confident in talking about it. It's encouraging to see more learn about what to expect, whether that's through media, workplace conversations or others' personal experiences.
“As part of this curiosity, many are exploring the average age ranges for both typical and premature menopause. Understanding what’s considered “normal” can help you spot symptoms sooner, reflect on your own experience, and feel empowered to speak up when seeking support from health professionals.
“Another potential reason people may be searching more about period changes in your 30s is to rule out other possible causes. It’s important to remember that your periods don’t stay exactly the same throughout your life. A range of factors including stress, lifestyle changes, infections, health conditions, and exercise can all affect your cycle.
“If you’re below 40 and spot irregularities in your period, it’s not always a cause for concern. Your period is never 100 per cent predictable – some months your menstrual cycle length may be different, or your flow lighter or heavier or more painful. If you’ve been under stress, have experienced significant weight change or illness, you might notice a change in your cycle.
You know your body better than anyone. If you’re below 40, your periods have changed and you’re concerned, you should always speak to a health professional. Primary ovarian insufficiency affects around 1% of women aged 15 and 39, but it's always best to talk through your symptoms if you're worried. If you are diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency, you’ll need medical intervention to keep your bones and heart healthy.”
Primary ovarian insufficiency symptoms
POI symptoms are largely the same as perimenopause symptoms, they just happen sooner.
The first clue that your periods start changing far earlier than your late 30s and before the typical perimenopause and menopause age range of 45 to 55.
Your periods may become less frequent or stop completely. Symptoms can last for years. There’s no uniform experience of primary ovarian insufficiency. Everybody’s different, but along with period changes, your symptoms may include:
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Dizzy spells
Incontinence and bladder issues
Experiencing pain in your joints or muscles
Reduced interest in sex
Difficulty focusing or remembering things
Feelings of anxiety or depression
What causes primary ovarian insufficiency?
There are a few factors that are linked to POI, but in the majority of cases, there’s no clear reason why the condition happens in some over others.
Genetic changes
Some people with POI have slight differences to one of their X chromosomes. Chromosome abnormalities like this can lead to genetic conditions that cause periods stopping earlier than average.
Latrogenic causes
Certain surgeries and treatments can trigger POI, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries, e.g., for endometriosis. The risk of POI can vary depending on medication dosages and the age of the treatment or surgery.
Autoimmune diseases
This is a rare cause of primary ovarian insufficiency, where your immune system attacks the tissue in your ovaries. It’s not clear why the immune system can act in this way, but when it does, it damages your ability to store healthy eggs.
Exposure to toxins
Toxins from lifestyle choices, such as smoking, the environment, like pollution and pesticides. Some cancer medications including chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been linked to causing the genetic material in your cells to change and lead to conditions like POI.
Perimenopause and early periods
Research links the age that your start your periods with the age you start your menopause.
Differences have been found between those who started their periods before they turned 11, and those who started theirs at 12 or 13.
If you started your periods before 11, research hints that you’ve got an 80 per cent higher chance of menopause starting before your turn 40. For this same group, there’s a 30 per cent higher chance of starting perimenopause before turning 45.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different. Even if you did start your periods before you turned 11, there’s no guarantee that your menopause will start in your 30s. If you’re concerned, please speak to a health professional.
Is menopause worse if you’ve never been pregnant?
If you’ve not had children or experienced pregnancy, research shows that your menopause may be different compared to people who have.
Can perimenopause arrive early?
Perimenopause can happen earlier if you’ve never been pregnant, so if you think you’re experiencing symptoms in your 40s, and you started your periods earlier, speak to a health professional.
Can pregnancy cause differences?
Other research indicates that menopause symptoms can vary between those who’ve not been pregnant, and those who have. We’re not entirely sure why these variances happen. More research is needed to be sure.
Can symptoms be different?
Those who’ve never been pregnant are twice as likely to report having hot flushes and vaginal dryness, compared to those who have been pregnant before.
Remember, menopause is experienced in different ways for different people
Some may experience no symptoms at all, whereas others may see their quality of life impacted. Though the age you started your periods and pregnancy are linked to certain experiences of menopause, it doesn’t mean yours will be worse. Keep an eye on any changes to your periods and always speak to a health professional if you’re worried.
Primary ovarian insufficiency: When to seek help
Getting help
If you think you’re experiencing any symptoms of perimenopause or menopause aged 40 or below, you should always speak to a health professional. Together, you can discuss your symptoms. You’ll have blood tests to confirm your hormone levels and exclude other conditions.
Going through menopause earlier than the average age carries health risks, as you’ll have a higher risk of living for longer with reduced oestrogen levels. Oestrogen helps to keep your bones strong, and reduces your chance of developing conditions like osteoporosis.
You’ll be prescribed medication to help improve your oestrogen levels, like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or the combined contraceptive pill to help protect you from the potential health effects of early menopause. Alongside oestrogen replacement, lifestyle considerations, like following a healthy diet and exercising regularly will help improve your health and wellbeing.
Primary ovarian insufficiency support
Going through menopause earlier in life may bring a range of emotions, along with physical and mental symptoms.
Talking a GP with additional menopause training through Bupa’s menopause plan can make a huge difference to your wellbeing, and give personalised support through this stage, and menopause itself.
