Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Menopause?SignsCausesWhen to Get Medical Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Menopause?
Signs
Causes
When to Get Medical Help
This article reviews what menopause is, its symptoms, the factors that affect timing, and when to notify your healthcare provider.
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A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.Sex refers to biology: chromosomal makeup, hormones, and anatomy. People are most often assigned male or female at birth based on their external anatomy; some people do not fit into that sex binary and are intersex.Gender describes a person’s internal sense of self as a woman, man, nonbinary person, or another gender, and the associated social and cultural ideas about roles, behaviors, expressions, and characteristics.Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and gender are related concepts, but they are not the same.
Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. For example, terms that describe gender (“woman,” “man”) may be used when terms for sex (“female,” “male”) are more appropriate.
To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Menopauseoccurs when women have not had a menstrual cycle (period) for 12 months in a row. It is considered the permanent end to menstruation.While menopause usually comes naturally, surgical removal of the ovaries, some medical treatments, and certain diseases can cause premature menopause.
What Is Perimenopause?Perimenopause generally starts in a woman’s 40s. During this time, she may experience irregular, heavier, or lighter menstrual cycles.The transition from perimenopause to menopause can take two to eight years.
What Is Perimenopause?
Perimenopause generally starts in a woman’s 40s. During this time, she may experience irregular, heavier, or lighter menstrual cycles.The transition from perimenopause to menopause can take two to eight years.
Signs of Late Menopause
For women who are experiencing signs of perimenopause, menopause may be just around the corner. The first sign is lighter or heavier, skipped, or irregular menstrual cycles. Other symptoms that occur in the later stages of perimenopause include:
Insomnia (trouble sleeping), hot flashes, and vaginal dryness may last several years after menopause.
Average Menopause AgeWomen typically reachmenopausein their early 50s.Early menopauseoccurs before age 45. It is considered premature anytime before age 40 and delayed menopause when women reach it in their late 50s or early 60s.
Average Menopause Age
Women typically reachmenopausein their early 50s.Early menopauseoccurs before age 45. It is considered premature anytime before age 40 and delayed menopause when women reach it in their late 50s or early 60s.
Defining Premenopause, Perimenopause, and Menopause
The following factors may affect the age a woman enters menopause:
What Foods Affect Menopause?
Details about how lifelong food choices may affect menopause onset include:
Risk Factors
If your mother experienced menopause later in life, there is a chance you will as well.Other factors include weight, menstrual cycle patterns, estrogen levels, and pregnancies.
When Can Pregnancy Affect Menopause?These aspects of pregnancy can affect the onset of menopause:Experiencing your first pregnancy later in lifeHaving one of your children later in lifeHaving at least one childMultiple pregnancies
When Can Pregnancy Affect Menopause?
These aspects of pregnancy can affect the onset of menopause:Experiencing your first pregnancy later in lifeHaving one of your children later in lifeHaving at least one childMultiple pregnancies
These aspects of pregnancy can affect the onset of menopause:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you are still experiencing a menstrual cycle in your late 50s or early 60s, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. During your appointment, you may be asked about your menstrual cycle and symptoms. This will help your provider identify if you are in menopause.
They may also check your blood for levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which helps control the menstrual cycle orestradiol, the main form ofestrogen(primary sex hormone in women). FSH levels fluctuate, so these tests may need to be traced over time. FSH levels in blood fluctuate during perimenopause and decrease after menopause.
What Hormone Blood Tests for Women Show
Summary
A Word From Verywell
The timing of menopause is different for all women. If you’ve reached your late 50s or early 60s and are still having a period, you may feel concerned. If this is the case, talk with your healthcare provider. Together, you can discuss the possible reasons for the delay and your provider can order tests if needed. Ruling out concerns can help you feel more comfortable about late-onset menopause.
Coping With Menopause
Frequently Asked Questions
Perimenopause usually begins when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, with the average age of menopause being 51 or 52 years old.Learn MoreWhat Is the Average Age for Menopause to Start?
Perimenopause usually begins when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, with the average age of menopause being 51 or 52 years old.
Learn MoreWhat Is the Average Age for Menopause to Start?
The transition from perimenopause to menopause can take two to eight years. A woman will know she has reached menopause when she stops having periods permanently, which is indicated when there have been no periods for 12 months in a row. Hot flashes can last four to 10 years after menopause.Learn MoreWhat Factors Influence How Long Menopause Lasts?
The transition from perimenopause to menopause can take two to eight years. A woman will know she has reached menopause when she stops having periods permanently, which is indicated when there have been no periods for 12 months in a row. Hot flashes can last four to 10 years after menopause.
Learn MoreWhat Factors Influence How Long Menopause Lasts?
The average age a woman reaches natural menopause is 51 to 52. Menopause is considered early when it occurs before age 45 and premature when it starts before age 40.Learn MoreWhat Is Early Menopause?
The average age a woman reaches natural menopause is 51 to 52. Menopause is considered early when it occurs before age 45 and premature when it starts before age 40.
Learn MoreWhat Is Early Menopause?
15 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.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Menopause basics.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.My periods have changed. Is menopause around the corner?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Did I just have a hot flash? I’m 44?National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Sapre S, Thakur R.Lifestyle and dietary factors determine age at natural menopause.J Midlife Health. 2014;5(1):3-5. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.127779Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;12(1):43-49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Taneri P, Kiefte-de Jong J, Bramer W, Daan N, Franco O, Muka T.Association of alcohol consumption with the onset of natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2016;22(4):516-528. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmw013Freeman J, Whitcomb B, Purdue-Smithe A, et al.Is alcohol consumption associated with risk of early menopause?Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(12):2612-2617. doi:10.1093/aje/kwab182Roman Lay A, do Nascimento C, Horta B, Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho A.Reproductive factors and age at natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Maturitas. 2020;131:57-64. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.10.012Perry S.Does birth control delay menopause?Gennev.Dunneram Y, Greenwood D, Burley V, et al.Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health.2018;72(8):733-740. doi:10.1136/jech-2017-209887Laven J.Genetics of early and normal menopause.Semin Reprod Med. 2015;33(6):377-83. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1567825Zhu D, Chung H, Pandeya N et al.Body mass index and age at natural menopause: an international pooled analysis of 11 prospective studies.Eur J Epidemiol. 2018;33(8):699-710. doi:10.1007/s10654-018-0367-yMedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.
15 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.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Menopause basics.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.My periods have changed. Is menopause around the corner?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Did I just have a hot flash? I’m 44?National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Sapre S, Thakur R.Lifestyle and dietary factors determine age at natural menopause.J Midlife Health. 2014;5(1):3-5. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.127779Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;12(1):43-49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Taneri P, Kiefte-de Jong J, Bramer W, Daan N, Franco O, Muka T.Association of alcohol consumption with the onset of natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2016;22(4):516-528. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmw013Freeman J, Whitcomb B, Purdue-Smithe A, et al.Is alcohol consumption associated with risk of early menopause?Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(12):2612-2617. doi:10.1093/aje/kwab182Roman Lay A, do Nascimento C, Horta B, Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho A.Reproductive factors and age at natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Maturitas. 2020;131:57-64. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.10.012Perry S.Does birth control delay menopause?Gennev.Dunneram Y, Greenwood D, Burley V, et al.Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health.2018;72(8):733-740. doi:10.1136/jech-2017-209887Laven J.Genetics of early and normal menopause.Semin Reprod Med. 2015;33(6):377-83. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1567825Zhu D, Chung H, Pandeya N et al.Body mass index and age at natural menopause: an international pooled analysis of 11 prospective studies.Eur J Epidemiol. 2018;33(8):699-710. doi:10.1007/s10654-018-0367-yMedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.
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.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Menopause basics.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.My periods have changed. Is menopause around the corner?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Did I just have a hot flash? I’m 44?National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.Sapre S, Thakur R.Lifestyle and dietary factors determine age at natural menopause.J Midlife Health. 2014;5(1):3-5. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.127779Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;12(1):43-49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836Taneri P, Kiefte-de Jong J, Bramer W, Daan N, Franco O, Muka T.Association of alcohol consumption with the onset of natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2016;22(4):516-528. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmw013Freeman J, Whitcomb B, Purdue-Smithe A, et al.Is alcohol consumption associated with risk of early menopause?Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(12):2612-2617. doi:10.1093/aje/kwab182Roman Lay A, do Nascimento C, Horta B, Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho A.Reproductive factors and age at natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Maturitas. 2020;131:57-64. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.10.012Perry S.Does birth control delay menopause?Gennev.Dunneram Y, Greenwood D, Burley V, et al.Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health.2018;72(8):733-740. doi:10.1136/jech-2017-209887Laven J.Genetics of early and normal menopause.Semin Reprod Med. 2015;33(6):377-83. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1567825Zhu D, Chung H, Pandeya N et al.Body mass index and age at natural menopause: an international pooled analysis of 11 prospective studies.Eur J Epidemiol. 2018;33(8):699-710. doi:10.1007/s10654-018-0367-yMedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Office on Women’s Health.Menopause basics.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.My periods have changed. Is menopause around the corner?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Did I just have a hot flash? I’m 44?
National Institute on Aging.What is menopause?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Introduction to menopause.
Sapre S, Thakur R.Lifestyle and dietary factors determine age at natural menopause.J Midlife Health. 2014;5(1):3-5. doi:10.4103/0976-7800.127779
Ceylan B, Özerdoğan N.Factors affecting age of onset of menopause and determination of quality of life in menopause.Turk J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;12(1):43-49. doi:10.4274/tjod.79836
Taneri P, Kiefte-de Jong J, Bramer W, Daan N, Franco O, Muka T.Association of alcohol consumption with the onset of natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Hum Reprod Update. 2016;22(4):516-528. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmw013
Freeman J, Whitcomb B, Purdue-Smithe A, et al.Is alcohol consumption associated with risk of early menopause?Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(12):2612-2617. doi:10.1093/aje/kwab182
Roman Lay A, do Nascimento C, Horta B, Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho A.Reproductive factors and age at natural menopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Maturitas. 2020;131:57-64. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.10.012
Perry S.Does birth control delay menopause?Gennev.
Dunneram Y, Greenwood D, Burley V, et al.Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health.2018;72(8):733-740. doi:10.1136/jech-2017-209887
Laven J.Genetics of early and normal menopause.Semin Reprod Med. 2015;33(6):377-83. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1567825
Zhu D, Chung H, Pandeya N et al.Body mass index and age at natural menopause: an international pooled analysis of 11 prospective studies.Eur J Epidemiol. 2018;33(8):699-710. doi:10.1007/s10654-018-0367-y
MedlinePlus.Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels test.
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