Menopause Duration: What’s the Real Timeline?

If you’re at the starting line of your menopausal experience, one of the most burning questions you may have is ‘when will this end?’. Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be guaranteed during menopause, including how individual symptoms will impact each of us individually. 

The actual timeline that menopause follows for each individual is impossible to predict, but by understanding what’s likely to occur at each key menopausal milestone, you can give yourself additional support for navigating its uncertainties. 

(We also recommend sharing this information with your close friends and family – it can be helpful for your wider circle of support to be aware of what’s coming in each stage!)

While these timelines can provide guidance for our individual experiences, notable research into the duration of menopause remains ongoing. In fact, a recent study by a team of international experts has gone so far as to call for a new definition of menopause – and they’re also calling for a new identification of what is defined as the point of menopause itself. 

The review proposed a new definition for menopause as the ‘final cessation of ovarian function’, instead of the traditional focus on the end of menstruation. If the findings from this study are implemented, the resulting wider guidelines may prove more useful for women who don’t experience regular periods prior to menopause, as well as those using contraception (like IUDs) that can impact their periods or who’ve undergone a hysterectomy.

In order to understand menopause’s approximate timeline, we’ve got to begin with understanding its key stages. You’re likely familiar with these three areas, with menopause spanning perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Perimenopause is the first menopausal stage you’re going to get acquainted with once your timeline begins. It can last anywhere from four to six years, and for some women, even as long as a decade. During this stage, you’ll also be introduced to some of menopause’s symptoms: irregular menstrual cycles, hot flushes, disruptions to regular sleep patterns, and mood swings.

People often mistake perimenopause for menopause, particularly as menopause is marked by the point when a woman has experienced 12 back-to-back months without a period. Once this has taken place, the end of her menstrual cycle is officially marked, as well as the end of her fertility. Symptoms that were first introduced during perimenopause can continue here, including hot flushes and emotional changes.

Postmenopause is the final menopausal stage. While menopause has now reached its final point, the changes aren’t quite over yet. During this stage, postmenopausal women need to be on watch for certain health conditions, with a higher risk of developing chronic illnesses (like osteoporosis or heart disease) as a result of significantly lowered oestrogen levels.

What are the associated timelines with each menopausal stage?

Perimenopause, the first menopausal stage to begin, typically begins in a woman’s 40s, but in some cases, it can start in their 30s. If perimenopause begins before 40 years of age, it’s classified as premature menopause, while perimenopause that begins between 40-45 years is classified as early menopause.

For those who don’t experience premature or early menopause, it’s likely to begin in a woman’s late 40s through to her early 50s. 

Postmenopause, then, continues for the rest of a woman’s life. 

Looking for support in every stage of your menopause experience? Contact the Australian Menopause Centre for support in every menopause milestone.

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How to identify each key menopausal milestone

While these timelines give us some idea of when we can expect each stage of menopause, it’s important to note just how unique each individual experience of menopause is. What’s considered ‘typical’ could fluctuate wildly from one woman to another. It’s crucial to work with a team of healthcare experts in order to monitor your own progression through menopause, paying close attention to signs and symptoms to assess where you’re at on your menopausal journey.

There are, however, common markers that can point to the onset of a new menopause milestone. These include:

• Perimenopause: It’s in this lead-up to menopause where natural oestrogen levels begin to fluctuate (sometimes wildly). This can result in irregular menstrual cycles, which is often the most common indicator that perimenopause is beginning to introduce itself. Other common symptoms include the introduction of hot flushes, night sweats, changes in mood and emotions, and problems with sleeping.
• Menopause: The continued decline of natural oestrogen production will lead to a total lack of periods. Once there’s been 12 consecutive months without a period, menopause has officially taken place.
• Postmenopause: Beginning after menopause, this final stage encompasses the years following menopause. The symptoms experienced to date may either decrease in intensity or frequency, or they may disappear entirely. As a result of decreased oestrogen, it’s time to focus on preventative measures that can reduce the risk of developing menopause-related illnesses and diseases.

The factors that can influence the menopausal timeline

There are numerous factors that can either lengthen or shorten the timeline menopause follows, which is why it’s so important to receive that individual care and support. At the Australian Menopause Centre, we provide support to Australian women throughout each phase of menopause, helping them to navigate menopause’s symptoms and wider health impacts.

Common factors that may alter individual experiences of menopause include:

• Genetics: It’s not an old wives’ tale – women may experience menopause around the same age as their mothers and sisters. 
• Smoking: For those who have a history of smoking, this may bring the onset of perimenopause earlier than non-smokers. 
• Ovarian Health: Certain surgical procedures, such as the removal of ovaries, or conditions, such as ovarian cancer, can also lead to early menopause. 
• Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: For some women, these treatments can lead to early menopause, or can increase the severity of perimenopausal symptoms. 

If you believe individual factors may contribute to a different experience of your menopausal timeline, working with a supportive expert team can have a significant impact on your ability to navigate the changes that each stage brings.

Conclusion

No two experiences of menopause will be the same, and as such, each woman’s menopause timeline may vary dramatically. By building your knowledge about each of menopause’s key stages, as well as symptoms, risks, and management options, you can prepare yourself for the unavoidable transition into perimenopause (and beyond).

At the Australian Menopause Centre, we’re here to help you throughout every aspect of your menopausal journey. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your menopause timeline, in the midst of perimenopause, or looking for support for your health in your postmenopause years, our team of expert practitioners provide innovative and personalised treatments that can alleviate symptoms and reduce the impact of menopausal changes. Contact us today to learn more.