By Richard Lovett Ph.D., published on May 1, 2003 - last reviewed on September 11, 2012
Women who lived through extended periods of economic hardship were also more likely to begin this physical transition earlier, according to a report published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Lauren Wise, a doctoral student at Harvard University, speculates that stress, poor nutrition or toxins such as lead or tobacco smoke accelerate the rate at which eggs are depleted. Egg depletion is a known trigger of perimenopause.
Perimenopause is heralded by changes in a woman's menstrual cycle and may include menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
Source: The North American Menopause Society