This is typically marked by the absence of periods for 12 consecutive months, and often accompanied by various symptoms due to hormonal changes.
The word ‘menopause’ comes from ‘meno’, meaning your menstrual cycle, and ‘pause’, meaning to stop. The medical definition of menopause is when you have not had your monthly period for at least 12 months.
However, menopause is commonly used as a catch-all term to encompass perimenopause and the symptoms that come from the changes in hormone levels, whether this comes naturally or through illness or treatment.
FROM OUR HEALTH EXPERT
Did you know? Symptoms can start a good 10 years before your last period. If you think your hormones are changing then they are probably changing. Remember, you know your own body best.
– Dr Jane Davis
Key menopause facts
- The average age of a person going through a natural menopause is 51-years-old, but it can happen at any time.
- If you’re younger than 45, it is called an early menopause.
- Before the age of 40, it is known as a premature menopause, or Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI).
- By the age of 54, 80% of women will have stopped having periods.
Symptoms
Symptoms of the menopause are the same as those of the perimenopause. There are around 35 symptoms, with some that are more commonly experienced. However, not all changes in your body and wellbeing at this time may be because of your menopause. As such, it’s important to consider your wider health and seek medical advice.
Menopause symptom facts
- The average time a person will experience menopausal symptoms is 7 years.
- 25% will have no menopause symptoms at all.
- 75% will have some menopausal symptoms and for 25% of these, symptoms are more severe and are negatively affecting their daily life.
