When menopause starts, it brings about changes to the body that can vary in appearance and intensity, and can be difficult to identify and manage. Here’s what you need to know when this important life stage starts.
As menopause signifies the end of your reproductive years, it also marks the beginning of new symptoms. Your ovaries stop producing reproductive hormones, which can cause a range of physical and emotional changes. From the start of menopause, also known as perimenopause , to postmenopause, the stages of menopause are long and different for everyone. So, when does menopause start?
While the timing of menopause differs from one woman to another, understanding general timelines, signs to look out for, and tests you can take is crucial for navigating this natural life change. Here’s what to know about when menopause starts.
What is menopause? Menopause officially occurs when you’ve experienced 12 months without a period. There are three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
Perimenopause: also referred to as menopausal transition, perimenopause begins generally 8 to 10 years before menopause. Your ovaries gradually produce less estrogen over the years than would normally be needed to prepare the body for pregnancy in the menstrual cycle. As your body produces less estrogen, you may experience irregular periods , hot flashes, and mood swings. Perimenopause can last several months or several years. The average length is four years. Menopause: Perimenopause ends , and menopause begins when a full year has passed without a period. Your ovaries no longer release eggs, and the body produces little estrogen. Menopause is a defined moment. Once you have gone a year without a period, you’ve entered menopause and are postmenopausal. Postmenopause: This marks the phase after menopause. You may continue to experience mild menopausal symptoms for several years after menopause. Due to low estrogen levels, people in postmenopause are at increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. When does menopause start? On average, menopause starts from age 44 to 55. The average age of menopause onset is 52.
If menopause occurs before the age of 45, it’s called early menopause, and if menopause begins before the age of 40, it’s called premature menopause. Premature menopause can be a sign of primary ovarian insufficiency, which is when your ovaries stop working before the age of 40. Cancer treatments, surgeries, or health conditions that damage your ovaries and stop producing estrogen can also induce menopause.
On the other hand, if you experience menopause at 55 years old or older, this is called late-onset menopause. Late-onset menopause can be the result of having abnormally high levels of estrogen. It's common among obese people since fat produces estrogen and among people with thyroid disorders.
How do I know when I’m in menopause? You know you’re in menopause when you haven’t experienced a menstrual period for 12 months.
Signs of menopause There are also common physical and emotional symptoms you may encounter leading up to and postmenopause. Menopause symptoms can vary in intensity, frequency, and length for everyone.
Here are common signs and symptoms of menopause:
Hot flashes , also known as vasomotor symptoms (a sudden wave of heat and sweat in the face, neck, and chest)Night sweats or cold flashes Difficulty sleeping or insomnia Mood swings and depression Vaginal dryness or discomfort during sex Urinary urgency Irregular periods or periods that are heavier or lighter than usual Worsening premenstrual syndromes such as bloating , fatigue, and irritability Some people also experience headaches, joint and muscle aches, brain fog , weight gain, hair loss, and changes in libido. The decline in estrogen and progesterone causes these symptoms that can last up to 10 years before menopause occurs.
Testing for menopause Usually, you’re able to diagnose menopause if you’ve gone a full year without a period.
Otherwise, blood and urine tests can check hormone levels. For example, the Oova perimenopause kit measures your specific levels of E3G (an estrogen metabolite), LH, and PdG (a progesterone metabolite). Testing with the Oova kit can help you confirm hormone activity and trends, including how your hormones are fluctuating and declining, as well as how your symptoms may correspond with changing levels.
What are treatments for menopause? Menopause is a natural process that occurs in the body and may not require any treatment depending on the intensity of your symptoms. However, if menopause symptoms are disrupting your quality of life, there are both natural ways and hormonal treatments that may help alleviate menopause symptoms.
Nonhormonal treatment options include:
Lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthier diet and exercising Staying in cooler temperatures and wearing layers of clothing to relieve hot flashes or night sweats Using stress management techniques to keep stress levels low Avoiding triggers like spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine There are also non hormonal prescription medications that can relieve your menopause symptoms, such as:
Birth control pills to help manage hormones Antidepressants to improve symptoms of hot flashes and mood swings Vaginal creams to lessen vaginal dryness It’s important to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with your doctor.
Finally, hormone replacement therapy can be an option to supplement your body’s hormone production and balance the decline of hormones during menopause. Since your body produces less and less estrogen as you reach menopause, hormone therapy increases your hormones which can help ease perimenopause and menopause symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness as well as prevent osteoporosis.
The two main types of hormone therapy are:
Estrogen-only therapy: You are prescribed a low dose of estrogen that can come in the form of a patch, cream, pill, and more. Estrogen-only therapy is only safe to treat women who have had a hysterectomy.Estrogen progesterone therapy: This treatment uses doses of estrogen and progesterone. EP therapy uses progesterone in its natural form and a synthetic form of progesterone called progestin. This type of treatment is used for people with uteruses. There are risks to hormone therapies such as the risk of cancers, blood clots, and strokes. It’s important to discuss with a healthcare professional what treatment is best for you.
When does menopause start? The bottom line Menopause generally starts anywhere from the age of 44 to 55, with an average onset age of 52. Being able to identify when menopause occurs and the bodily changes you can expect is helpful in preparing for this life stage — and for pinpointing any outliers that may require professional care.
If you experience bleeding after menopause or menopause symptoms are disrupting your quality of life, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider. There are natural ways to manage menopause symptoms, from limiting caffeine and eating a healthy diet to exercising or joining support groups. Menopause may be a unique experience for you, but you are not alone. By understanding what to look out for, you will not only learn to navigate menopause but also to take control and manage your symptoms.
