How Long Does Menopause Last?

Menopause is medically defined as the last menstrual period of a woman's reproductive life, generally assumed to have occurred when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period. Menopause may also be defined as when both ovaries have been surgically removed, as in a hysterectomy, or they have been damaged to the point that they no longer function. Menopause may bring on certain unpleasant side effects, including hot flashes and night sweats.

Time Frame

• The first sign of the onset of the change of life in a woman's reproductive life cycle is called perimenopause, which can occur from the mid-30s to the late 50s, and beyond.

Duration

• Perimenopause typically lasts six years. It is marked by the beginning of the first change in the menstrual cycle and extends to one year after the final menstrual period.

Prevention/Solution

• Menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats, may be greatly affected by such factors as lifestyle, diet, family history and stress.

Features

• Natural menopause, also known as spontaneous menopause, occurs on average at age 51.

Misconceptions

• There is no definitive or even normal time when menopausal symptoms cease. Most women will experience hot flashes and/or night sweats for five to six years after menopause, but it is not uncommon for women to continue to have these symptoms well into their 70s.