Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMenopausePerimenopausePremenopauseWhat Is Amenorrhea?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Menopause
Perimenopause
Premenopause
What Is Amenorrhea?
Menopause, premenopause, andperimenopauserefer to specific stages in a person’s fertility cycle during and at the end of their child-bearing years.
There are a wide range of fluctuations inhormonesfrom adolescence, at the beginning of themenstrual cycle(monthly period), to the fertility peak in the mid-20s and then toward menopause. Perimenopause usually occurs in your 40s and menopause at an average age of 51, but the actual timeframe can vary from person to person.
This article explains these different terms and the symptoms most often associated with the stage. It will help you to understand why you may be experiencing early menopause or why missed periods may be a sign that you need to see a healthcare provider for a different medical issue.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but for some people, menopause can happen as early as the 30s or 40s. For others, menopause may not occur until they reach age 60.
In the United States, the average age is 51.
Menopause and EstrogenMenopause is a reflection of ovarianfolliculardepletion (affecting the number and quality of eggs) with resulting low estrogen and changes in other sex hormones.Other glands in the body continue to makeestrogenand other sex hormones but the overall level is significantly lower once the ovaries stop.
Menopause and Estrogen
Menopause is a reflection of ovarianfolliculardepletion (affecting the number and quality of eggs) with resulting low estrogen and changes in other sex hormones.Other glands in the body continue to makeestrogenand other sex hormones but the overall level is significantly lower once the ovaries stop.
Under normal circumstances, you do not suddenly experience menopause. Instead, it occurs gradually and involves different phases.
Low Progesterone Effects: How to Raise Your Levels
Perimenopause usually occurs during the 40s. The most significant sign that someone is in the perimenopausal phase of the reproductive cycle is that they have visible symptoms.
These symptoms occur due to the decrease in estrogen and other sex hormones. Some healthcare providers may refer to this phase as “menopause transition.” Common signs and symptoms of perimenopause may include:
These physical and emotional symptoms (such as hot flashes and mood swings) may continue into menopause. It’s also important to note that during perimenopause a person canstill get pregnant, but it will probably be more difficult than when they were younger.
Perimenopausal symptoms can continue through menopause, but they may begin to worsen as you get closer to menopause. Perimenopause usually occurs over an eight to 10-year time span, with estrogen gradually decreasing over time.
Signs of Late Menopause
This phase does not involve any of the classic signs or symptoms of menopause (such as night sweats, insomnia, or missed periods). A person who is premenopausal is considered fertile and in the reproductive phase of life. This phase does not involve any of the classic signs or symptoms of perimenopause or menopause (such as night sweats, insomnia, or missed periods).
During premenopause, there are no noticeable changes in the body, but hormonal changes may start to occur.
Early Menopause
Some people experience menopause earlier than in their 40s, perhaps even before their 30s.
What Is Amenorrhea?
Amenorrheasimply means the absence of monthly periods. There are several reasons that amenorrhea may occur when it is not linked with menopause or perimenopause.
There are several reasons that amenorrhea can occur, including:
Any time you stop having monthly periods, unless you’re on a hormonal birth control, or are known to be pregnant, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider for a medical evaluation to discover the underlying cause.
Fertility and Pregnancy Challenges With Thyroid Disease
Summary
Terms that describe menopause fall on a continuum across the reproductive years. They provide a timeline that occurs from the first menstrual period to the time when the ovaries produce less estrogen and ovulation has come to a halt, called menopause.
Premenopause describes the time frame between menarche and menopause. Perimenopause specifically describes the stage that occurs before menopause. Perimenopause often involves the same type of symptoms seen with menopause.
If you are experiencing reproductive changes, be sure to consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing a missed period or more frequent urinary tract infections.
How Does Taking Birth Control Pills Affect Menopause?
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Inayat K, Danish N, Hassan L.Symptoms of menopause in peri and postmenopausal women and their attitude towards them.J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2017 Jul-Sep;29(3):477-480. PMID: 29076687Vollenhoven B, Hunt S.Ovarian aging and the impact on female fertility.F1000Res. 2018 Nov 22;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1835. doi:10.12688/f1000research.16509.1Whitcomb BW, Purdue-Smithe AC, Szegda KL, Boutot ME, Hankinson SE, Manson JE,et al.Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Early Natural Menopause.Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Apr 1;187(4):696-704. doi:10.1093/aje/kwx292Chon SJ, Umair Z, Yoon MS.Premature ovarian insufficiency: Past, present, and future.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 May 10;9:672890. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.672890
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Inayat K, Danish N, Hassan L.Symptoms of menopause in peri and postmenopausal women and their attitude towards them.J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2017 Jul-Sep;29(3):477-480. PMID: 29076687Vollenhoven B, Hunt S.Ovarian aging and the impact on female fertility.F1000Res. 2018 Nov 22;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1835. doi:10.12688/f1000research.16509.1Whitcomb BW, Purdue-Smithe AC, Szegda KL, Boutot ME, Hankinson SE, Manson JE,et al.Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Early Natural Menopause.Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Apr 1;187(4):696-704. doi:10.1093/aje/kwx292Chon SJ, Umair Z, Yoon MS.Premature ovarian insufficiency: Past, present, and future.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 May 10;9:672890. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.672890
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Inayat K, Danish N, Hassan L.Symptoms of menopause in peri and postmenopausal women and their attitude towards them.J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2017 Jul-Sep;29(3):477-480. PMID: 29076687Vollenhoven B, Hunt S.Ovarian aging and the impact on female fertility.F1000Res. 2018 Nov 22;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1835. doi:10.12688/f1000research.16509.1Whitcomb BW, Purdue-Smithe AC, Szegda KL, Boutot ME, Hankinson SE, Manson JE,et al.Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Early Natural Menopause.Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Apr 1;187(4):696-704. doi:10.1093/aje/kwx292Chon SJ, Umair Z, Yoon MS.Premature ovarian insufficiency: Past, present, and future.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 May 10;9:672890. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.672890
Inayat K, Danish N, Hassan L.Symptoms of menopause in peri and postmenopausal women and their attitude towards them.J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad. 2017 Jul-Sep;29(3):477-480. PMID: 29076687
Vollenhoven B, Hunt S.Ovarian aging and the impact on female fertility.F1000Res. 2018 Nov 22;7:F1000 Faculty Rev-1835. doi:10.12688/f1000research.16509.1
Whitcomb BW, Purdue-Smithe AC, Szegda KL, Boutot ME, Hankinson SE, Manson JE,et al.Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Early Natural Menopause.Am J Epidemiol. 2018 Apr 1;187(4):696-704. doi:10.1093/aje/kwx292
Chon SJ, Umair Z, Yoon MS.Premature ovarian insufficiency: Past, present, and future.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 May 10;9:672890. doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.672890
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
