MENOPAUSE: WHEN DOES IT START? WHEN DOES IT END?

It’s hard to know when menopause will occur, and experts provide a range of menopause ages. According to The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), most women will experience menopause between 40 and 58 years old. The Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern University (WHRI) says the menopause transition occurs between the ages of 35 to 55. The Mayo Clinic says menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age in the USA is 51.

Who’s right? Well, they’re all right.

WHAT EXACTLY IS MENOPAUSE?

Imagine menopause as a finish line. The time you start noticing changes in your periods and/or experience symptoms is the lead up to menopause, called perimenopause. Once you cross the line, you are in post-menopause. We often refer to the entire process as menopause, but it is typically broken down into 3 phases: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.

MENOPAUSE AGE & TRANSITION INFOGRAPHIC: includes average age, treatments, how long it lasts and risks

THE 3 PHASES OF MENOPAUSE

The menopause transition is typically broken down into 3 phases that can span over decades.

PERIMENOPAUSE:

  • you start to notice changes in their menstrual cycle – periods can be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter flow than usual and the time in between each cycle fluctuates
  • you don’t feel like yourself: more tired than usual, feel exceptionally sensitive, moody or depressed
  • experience symptoms such as hot flashes, brain fog, poor sleep/insomnia, weight gain, and more

MENOPAUSE:

  • you have not had your period for 12 months in a row

POST-MENOPAUSE:

  • you have not had your period for 12 consecutive months
  • you may continue to experience symptoms from perimenopause, with the addition of vaginal dryness, painful sex, thinning hair and skin and increased episodes of urinary tract infections

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Remember waiting for your first period? We all knew it was coming, but didn’t know when. The same is true with menopause. Once it does happen, the symptoms can continue for years. Most women can expect to experience the menopause transition from their 40s to their 60s with a varying degree of symptoms and severity.

There are things in our control to ease these symptoms such as our lifestyle habits (get plenty of exercise, eat whole foods, reduce or remove sugar, alcohol and caffeine from our diets, and mediate). You can also see a doctor to assess your symptoms who can make recommendations for treatments. We don’t know how long it will last, but we can improve the situation.

HELP AT ANY MENOPAUSE AGE

Each menopause journey is like a fingerprint, no two are the same. Whether you’re on the early or late end of the spectrum for the menopause transition, the best course of action is to educate yourself, talk to friends and family, listen to your body, and seek help. Knowledge is power, and you need to be empowered to control your healthy aging.

Want to learn more about how AlterEgo can help? Book a Free Mini Consult and talk to us about your goals.


WRITTEN BY: AlterEgo Health

DISCLAIMER: The health, fitness and nutritional information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefor. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay in seeking medical advice or treatment from your health care professional because of something you have read here. Please refer to our Terms of Use for further information on the terms and conditions that govern your use of the website and any material provided therein, including this article.

Published On: February 19, 2023—Categories: Education—Tags: , —3 min read—
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Photo of person from knees down standing on bathroom scale with illustration of upward arrows signifying weight gainMENOPAUSE WEIGHT GAIN: Toxins are Enemy #1

MENOPAUSE: WHEN DOES IT START? WHEN DOES IT END?

It’s hard to know when menopause will occur, and experts provide a range of menopause ages. According to The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), most women will experience menopause between 40 and 58 years old. The Women’s Health Research Institute at Northwestern University (WHRI) says the menopause transition occurs between the ages of 35 to 55. The Mayo Clinic says menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age in the USA is 51.

Who’s right? Well, they’re all right.

WHAT EXACTLY IS MENOPAUSE?

Imagine menopause as a finish line. The time you start noticing changes in your periods and/or experience symptoms is the lead up to menopause, called perimenopause. Once you cross the line, you are in post-menopause. We often refer to the entire process as menopause, but it is typically broken down into 3 phases: perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause.

MENOPAUSE AGE & TRANSITION INFOGRAPHIC: includes average age, treatments, how long it lasts and risks

THE 3 PHASES OF MENOPAUSE

The menopause transition is typically broken down into 3 phases that can span over decades.

PERIMENOPAUSE:

  • you start to notice changes in their menstrual cycle – periods can be longer or shorter, heavier or lighter flow than usual and the time in between each cycle fluctuates
  • you don’t feel like yourself: more tired than usual, feel exceptionally sensitive, moody or depressed
  • experience symptoms such as hot flashes, brain fog, poor sleep/insomnia, weight gain, and more

MENOPAUSE:

  • you have not had your period for 12 months in a row

POST-MENOPAUSE:

  • you have not had your period for 12 consecutive months
  • you may continue to experience symptoms from perimenopause, with the addition of vaginal dryness, painful sex, thinning hair and skin and increased episodes of urinary tract infections

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Remember waiting for your first period? We all knew it was coming, but didn’t know when. The same is true with menopause. Once it does happen, the symptoms can continue for years. Most women can expect to experience the menopause transition from their 40s to their 60s with a varying degree of symptoms and severity.

There are things in our control to ease these symptoms such as our lifestyle habits (get plenty of exercise, eat whole foods, reduce or remove sugar, alcohol and caffeine from our diets, and mediate). You can also see a doctor to assess your symptoms who can make recommendations for treatments. We don’t know how long it will last, but we can improve the situation.

HELP AT ANY MENOPAUSE AGE

Each menopause journey is like a fingerprint, no two are the same. Whether you’re on the early or late end of the spectrum for the menopause transition, the best course of action is to educate yourself, talk to friends and family, listen to your body, and seek help. Knowledge is power, and you need to be empowered to control your healthy aging.

Want to learn more about how AlterEgo can help? Book a Free Mini Consult and talk to us about your goals.


WRITTEN BY: AlterEgo Health

DISCLAIMER: The health, fitness and nutritional information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefor. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay in seeking medical advice or treatment from your health care professional because of something you have read here. Please refer to our Terms of Use for further information on the terms and conditions that govern your use of the website and any material provided therein, including this article.

Last Updated: October 12, 2023—Published On: February 19, 2023—Categories: Education—Tags: , —3 min read—
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Photo of person from knees down standing on bathroom scale with illustration of upward arrows signifying weight gainMENOPAUSE WEIGHT GAIN: Toxins are Enemy #1