Menopause is a natural event that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual period. It’s typically confirmed when a woman has missed her period for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes).

Menopause occurs, on average, at age 51. It occurs most often between ages 45 and 55.

Perimenopause means “around menopause”, and usually lasts several years. The gradual transition between the reproductive years and menopause when the menstrual period ceases. During perimenopause, women may experience symptoms such as shorter time between periods, irregular menses, night sweats, and other symptoms associated with hormonal changes.

Induced menopause refers to menstrual periods that stop after surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, or radiation damage to the ovaries, or from the use of other medications to intentionally induce menopause as part of the treatment of certain diseases.

Menopause, whether natural or induced, is called premature when it happens at age 40 or younger. This occurs in about 1% of women. Natural premature menopause can be genetic, metabolic, autoimmune, or the result of other poorly understood conditions. Premature menopause should be evaluated thoroughly.

Postmenopause includes all the years after menopause.

Each woman’s menopause experience is different. Many women who undergo natural menopause report no physical changes at all during the perimenopausal years except irregular menstrual periods that eventually stop when they reach menopause. Other changes may include hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, memory problems, mood disturbances, vaginal dryness, and weight gain.

Menopause can be a challenging time in a woman’s life. The emotional, physical, and mental changes that accompany menopause can be overwhelming. Today, women have access to a range of hormone-based, non-hormonal, and complementary therapies to help manage symptoms. Learn more about these options and consult your healthcare provider.