When Does Menopause Start? – Forbes Health

Table of Contents

• What Is Menopause?

• What Age Does Menopause Start?

• How to Know if Menopause Has Started

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If you’re wondering at what age you may start experiencing menopause, you’re not alone. Many have this question in the back of their minds, especially as they move toward and beyond middle age. While menopause is a completely normal part of the aging process, all of the changes it can bring may feel intimidating. Having an idea of when to expect it can offer some relief.

While there is an average age for menopause to begin, everyone’s experiences are unique to them. There are some factors that can determine the onset of menopause, and not everyone will have the same symptoms.

Read on to get a better idea of when you can expect menopause to start.

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What Is Menopause?

Menopause officially occurs when there is a cessation of ovarian hormonal production, typically resulting in the absence of a menstrual period for one full calendar year. Once an individual has officially entered menopause, they will no longer get their menstrual period and will no longer be able to get pregnant.

As hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone start to decrease, a lot of physiologic, behavioral and psychosocial changes can take place, explains Emily Anderson, a gerontology clinical nurse specialist based in Minnesota. This transition period, known as perimenopause, typically results in “urogenital changes like vaginal dryness and urinary incontinence, reduced bone density, vasomotor changes like hot flashes and night sweats, cognitive decline and increased risk of ischemic heart disease,” says Andereson.

Perimenopause and Menopause: What’s the Difference?

Think of the years before menopause as a transition period, where a person may experience some changes in their body. This is the perimenopause period, and it can last anywhere between four to eight years ^{tippy-popover-container-bg-white’ }”>[1]}Menopause 101. The North American Menopause Society. Accessed 1/24/2023. . Perimenopause generally begins with changes in the length of a person’s menstrual period and ends after 12 months of a person not getting their period, signaling the start of menopause.

“During this period of time, the ovaries begin producing fewer hormones, which may result in irregular menstrual cycles and symptoms of lower estrogen,” explains Anderson.

While perimenopause and menopause may cause similar symptoms, the presence of a menstrual period, even one that is late, during perimenopause is the main difference between them. “During perimenopause, fertility and conception are still possible, as the potential for ovulation still remains,” says Anderson. “However, after a woman’s final menses occurs (signaling menopause) natural fertility and conception are no longer achievable.”

Perimenopause vs Early Menopause: What’s the Difference?

Early menopause is menopause that happens between the ages of 40 and 45. About 5% of people naturally go through early menopause, and there are some factors that can cause this to happen, such as smoking or certain medicines or treatments, like the removal of the ovaries.

In the case of early menopause, “menstrual cycles end prematurely due to ovarian or follicular dysfunction,” says Anderson. She notes that perimenopause might happen before early menopause, but it might not. Some factors that may cause early menopause include:

• Certain autoimmune diseases, such as thyroid disease or rheumatoid arthritis
• Certain genetic disorders, such as Turner’s syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Surgery to remove the ovaries
• Chemotherapy or pelvic radiation
• Smoking
• A family history of early menopause

While perimenopause can be the body’s way of preparing for menopause, early menopause is when menopause begins before the average starting age.

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What Age Does Menopause Start?

The average age that menopause begins is 51, and most will experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 58^[1]Menopause 101. The North American Menopause Society. Accessed 1/24/2023. . As Anderson notes, there is no way to predict exactly what age menopause will start since there are so many different contributing factors.

“Genetics play a strong role,” she says, and a person may be able to get a general idea of when menopause will begin by noting what age their mother experienced it.

A 2021 research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association exemplifies just how many factors can play into the age that menopause. The letter highlights a study analyzing 60-year trends in age for natural menopause and reproductive life span. Researchers found that Black women or women of Hispanic ethnicity had an earlier age of natural menopause. Lower socioeconomic status, current and former smoking status and hormone therapy use were also associated with an earlier age of natural menopause. Researchers also found that more education and oral contraceptive use were associated with a later age of natural menopause ^{tippy-popover-container-bg-white’ }”>[2]}Appiah D, Nwabuo C, Ebony I, et al. Trends in Age at Natural Menopause and Reproductive Life Span Among US Women, 1959-2018. JAMA. 2021;325(13):1328-1330. .

Diet may also play a role in menopause onset. A 2018 U.K. study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health linked an earlier onset of menopause with a diet that included a higher amount of refined pasta and rice, while later onset of menopause occurred with a diet of higher amounts of oily fish and fresh legumes^[3]Dunneram Y, Greenwood DC, Burley VJ, et al. Dietary intake and age at natural menopause: results from the UK Women’s Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health 2018;72:733-740. .

Because the age a person reaches menopause is dependent on so many factors, it’s important to reach out to your doctor if you believe you may be dealing with perimenopause, early menopause or menopause itself.

How to Know if Menopause Has Started

The definitive way of knowing menopause has begun is if your menstrual period is absent for 12 consecutive months. “I recommend that women track their menstrual cycles each month, which will serve as an alert to irregular or absent menstrual cycles,” explains Anderson.

Even though menopause is a completely normal part of life,it may still feel overwhelming to some. Thankfully, there are ways to make the transition easier. “Both hormonal and non-hormonal therapies can be utilized to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause,” says Anderson.

For those transitioning into menopause, Anderson recommends 150 minutes of exercise each week, using a combination of walking and strength training. “This may improve blood sugar stabilization, enhance sleep, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, aid in bone health and improve mood,” she says. She also recommends non-hormonal therapies such as herbs like maca, chaste tree, schisandra and red clover to reduce symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia. “Vitamins and minerals like magnesium, vitamins B6, C and D can offer mood support as well as protection against loss of bone density,” adds Anderson.

Hormonal treatments are available as well, and usually involve the use of bio-identical hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. “During perimenopause, often the only hormone needed is progesterone to help balance estrogen and enhance the brain’s ability to cope with stress,” says Anderson. “Progesterone converts to a neurosteroid called allopregnanolone which can cross the blood-brain-barrier and act on GABA receptors to help calm the brain. This can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and poor sleep.”

Those interested in trying either a non-hormonal or hormonal treatment during menopause or during the transition into menopause should speak with their doctor to come up with a plan that works for them.

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What’s the average age of menopause and perimenopause?

Menopause is the time when your ovaries stop releasing eggs and you stop having periods. The experience is different for everyone, and it’s usually a gradual change that happens over a few years, giving you time to adapt and seek support for symptoms along the way.

What’s perimenopause and how do I know it’s happening?

Perimenopause is the time period leading up to menopause. ‘The first sign is usually a change to your menstrual cycle,’ says Dr Elisabeth Rosén, a Livi doctor who specialises in gynaecology and obstetrics. ‘Usually, your menstrual cycle starts to shorten, then it becomes more irregular, often with heavier, longer bleeds.’

Perimenopause happens when your ovaries begin to stop working. They start making fewer and lower quality eggs and follicles (sacs filled with fluid that hold an egg).

Changes to your menstrual cycle

‘Your cycle becomes shorter because the amount of progesterone you produce decreases, which makes the lining of your uterus shed sooner,’ explains Dr Rosén. ‘Eventually, the few eggs that remain struggle to mature every month, but your body keeps making hormones to regulate your ovaries, leading to irregular and longer bleeds.’

Hormonal changes

As your body produces lower levels of oestrogen and progesterone, it can trigger a range of perimenopause signs and symptoms like hot flushes and vaginal dryness.

‘Most people experience some mental and physical difficulties throughout this transition. Some only notice them for a year or so, while others can have symptoms for 10 years or more,’ says Dr Rosén.

Key perimenopausal symptoms

If you’re perimenopausal, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:

• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary incontinence
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Vaginal bacterial infections
• Hot flushes
• Decreased quality of sleep
• Low mood, depression or panic attacks
• Weight gain

What age does perimenopause usually start?

The average age that perimenopause starts is 47. 5 years , but it varies depending on ethnicity, genetics and lifestyle factors. Perimenopause lasts an average of 4 years and ends with your final menstrual period.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the time between perimenopause and post-menopause. ‘You’re considered to have reached menopause when it’s been a full year since your last period,’ says Dr Rosén.

‘When your ovaries’ function is so compromised that your hormone levels are no longer enough to build up the lining of your uterus, your periods stop.’

What signals the end of menopause?

Your oestrogen production will continue to decrease for a few years after you reach menopause. Around 5 years after your last period, the levels of oestrogen in your body have reached a constant, very low level, marking the end of menopause and the beginning of post-menopause.

‘You remain post-menopausal for the rest of your life,’ explains Dr Rosén. ‘At this point, a lot of the symptoms of menopause will disappear. Your body learns to regulate its temperature and the hot flushes go away. Most people also feel that their moods stabilise.’

Some changes may remain, like vaginal dryness. ‘This can be painful and itchy, and may make having sex difficult,’ says Dr Rosén. If this is a problem for you, speak to a doctor.

What’s the average menopause age?

The average age of
menopause is 51, but anything from the age of 40 to 57 can be normal.

There are a number of factors that can influence when you reach menopause, including:

• The age your mother reached menopause
• Lifestyle habits
• Blood pressure
• BMI
• Sun exposure

There’s also strong evidence that smoking is linked with earlier menopause. ‘Very intense physical activity, a diet high in polyunsaturated fats and high blood pressure are also associated with an earlier menopause age,’ explains Dr Rosén.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding may cause later menopause, most likely because they prevent you from ovulating and depleting your supply of eggs.

What’s considered early menopause?

Early menopause is menopause that begins before the age of 45. This happens in around 5% of women. Around 1% enter menopause before the age of 40, which is called premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).

‘See a doctor if your periods start to get irregular before the age of 40 or they stop completely before the age of 45,’ says Dr Rosén. ‘The symptoms of early menopause, perimenopause and menopause later in life are the same, but for some they can be more pronounced as hormone levels decrease very rapidly.’

The exact cause of POI is often unknown, but it can be genetic or linked to auto-immune conditions like hypothyroidism. ‘It can also be triggered by medical treatments, including cancer treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy,’ says Dr Rosén.

Do I need to see a doctor about early menopause?

Usually, blood tests aren’t needed to diagnose menopause. But if you’re young, a doctor might want to check your levels of the hormones FSH and LH to help diagnose POI early.

Oestrogen also protects against heart disease. ‘If you have POI, you might need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent osteoporosis and lower your risk of heart disease,’ says Dr Rosén. ‘Calcium and vitamin D supplements can help support your bones, too.’

Coming to terms with the fact that you’re no longer fertile can be challenging regardless of your age, but it can be especially difficult if you’re going through early menopause. ‘See your doctor for advice,’ encourages Dr Rosén. ‘Getting answers and understanding what’s happening to your body can be enough, but you might benefit from CBT or another type of talking therapy.’

When should I see a doctor about menopause symptoms?

It’s perfectly OK to make an appointment with your doctor about your symptoms during menopause. ‘If you’re not feeling well, getting reassurance can really help,’ says Dr Rosén.

Everyone’s experience with menopause is different. If you’re struggling to cope, hormonal treatments like HRT or local oestrogen can be used to treat symptoms like hot flushes that are caused by low levels of oestrogen.

‘HRT is very safe if it’s started before the age of 60 and not given for more than 5 years. It can also lower your risk of heart disease. For some, it also helps a lot with psychological symptoms,’ says Dr Rosén.

It’s also best to speak to a doctor if:

• You’re suffering from vaginal dryness
• You have a period more often than every 3 weeks
• You have very heavy periods or spotting between periods
• You have any bleeding at all after menopause
• You’re struggling with any menopause-related symptoms

This article has been medically approved by Dr Elisabeth Rosén, a Livi doctor who specialises in gynaecology and obstetrics.

Menopause (menopause) in a woman occurred at the age of 35

It is associated with a gradual reduction in the functional activity of the ovaries and manifests itself in menstrual irregularities and other symptoms. Usually menopause begins in women after 45 years, but sometimes this process can occur much earlier. In this article, we will look at the reasons why menopause in a woman can occur at 35 years old.

Why so early?

Menopause (or menopause) is a natural process that is associated with a gradual and irreversible depletion of the ovaries. During menopause, women undergo changes in the hormonal background, which lead to the appearance of various symptoms. However, why can a woman face menopause at 35?

Factors that can influence the onset of menopause in women at 35:

1. Genetic predisposition: Heredity can have a significant impact on the onset of menopause in a woman at 35 years of age. If the mother or grandmother has menopause early, then there is a high probability that this process will begin in the daughter or granddaughter at an earlier age.

2. Diseases: Some diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, and others, can contribute to the onset of menopause at an earlier age.

3. Eating disorders: Improper nutrition, as well as diets and lack of vitamins and minerals, can lead to hormonal imbalances and an accelerated onset of menopause.

4. Stress: Constant stress, depression, as well as emotional instability can affect the onset of menopause in women at an earlier age.

5. Smoking and drinking: Smoking and drinking may hasten the onset of menopause and lead to the onset of symptoms at an earlier age.

6. Early initiation of sexual activity: Initiation of sexual activity at an earlier age can lead to hormonal imbalances and an accelerated onset of menopause.

7. Pelvic surgery: Surgery on the ovaries, uterus or other pelvic organs may lead to dysfunction and menopause at an earlier age.

It is important to note that all of the above factors can affect the onset of menopause in women and 35 years and even earlier. However, the onset of menopause at such an early age is not the norm, and requires a visit to a doctor and additional research.

Menopause in a woman came at the age of 35 – what to do?

If a woman has menopause at the age of 35, then the first thing to do is to consult a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe the necessary tests and studies. If necessary, hormonal drugs or other medications can be prescribed to help reduce menopause symptoms and improve a woman’s quality of life.

You also need to monitor your lifestyle: eat healthy food, give up bad habits, control stress levels and exercise.

FAQs, questions and answers about early menopause:

1. How do you know that menopause has come?
Menopause is manifested by various symptoms, such as hot flashes, menstrual irregularities, sweating, insomnia, emotional imbalance

2. Is menopause at 35 normal?

The onset of menopause at the age of 35 is not the norm, and can be associated with various factors, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance, stress, and others.

3. Is it possible to prevent menopause at 35?

It cannot be completely prevented, as this is a natural process in a woman’s body. However, a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, reducing stress, and exercising can help delay the onset of menopause.

4. What medicines help with menopause?

Hormonal medications, such as estrogen medications to help reduce menopause symptoms, as well as drugs to improve mood and sleep, may be prescribed for menopause.

5. What foods help with menopause?

When menopause, it is recommended to consume foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as dairy products, fish, eggs, as well as fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants.

Menopause is a natural process that occurs in a woman’s body between the ages of 45 and 55. However, in some cases, menopause may occur earlier, at 35 or even earlier. This may be due to various factors, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, stress, and others. It is important to remember that menopause is not a disease, but it can cause some unpleasant symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disturbance, and others. Therefore, if you notice signs of menopause, be sure to consult a doctor to get qualified help and prescribe the necessary treatment.

It is also important to monitor your lifestyle in order to reduce the risk of menopause ahead of time, or reduce its symptoms if it has already begun. A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, reducing stress, and exercising can help delay the onset of menopause and reduce its symptoms.

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Menopause in a woman – the first symptoms, methods of improving well-being – Dobrobut Clinic

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Publication date: 2020-04-04

Symptoms of menopause in women, how to alleviate the condition

Menopause, or menopause, refers to the physiological processes that indicate old age. The uterus and ovaries during menopause cease their functionality, the reproductive period ends. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop or somehow prevent this process. But knowing the symptoms of menopause in women and the recommendations of gynecologists, it is quite possible to alleviate the condition and make the menopause easier.

What is known about menopause

In gynecology, there are several types of the physiological process under consideration:

• natural – menopause, which came on time and without any outside interference on the processes of aging and the extinction of the reproductive function of the body;
• surgical menopause after removal of the uterus is a normal phenomenon after such an intervention, requiring constant support of the body with drugs;
• premature menopause;
• menopause that occurred against the background of ovarian failure.

At what age do women go through menopause? Doctors determine the period of 40-55 years, but most often menopause is diagnosed at the age of 50 years.

Symptoms of menopause in women

You can talk about the onset of menopause if the following symptoms are present:

• sharp mood swings – this is especially pronounced in the early menopause at 40;
• sudden feeling of heat, “hot flashes”;
• slight increase in body temperature for no apparent reason;
• too rapid weight gain, obesity in the usual diet;
• excessive irritability and nervousness;
• itching, burning and dryness in the intimate area;
• increased fatigue, drowsiness.

In addition, a woman may be disturbed by dizziness and headaches, sleep disturbance occurs. Groundless experiences begin to disturb her, an unstable psycho-emotional background is clearly visible to those around her.

Climax lasts for several years and does not develop rapidly. A woman will never have all of the above symptoms at once. The latter will increase gradually, alternating with quite “healthy” periods. Vaginal discharge during menopause continues, but becomes brownish-red, more dense, viscous. If they acquire an unpleasant odor, then this indicates an inflammatory or infectious process in the organs of the reproductive system. This condition requires the provision of qualified medical care.

Artificial menopause, as a rule, proceeds more easily and quickly. For example, a woman may not experience hot flashes or hot flashes, but will constantly complain of severe headaches or dizziness.

What to do at the first signs of menopause? Firstly, you should not use any medications and try to cope with discomfort with folk methods. First you need to confirm the diagnosis with a gynecologist. Secondly, you need to visit a medical institution and receive qualified assistance, including in the form of doctor’s recommendations on methods for stabilizing well-being.

Help with symptoms of menopause

The physiological process under consideration causes great inconvenience to a woman, and not only in terms of well-being. Sweating, dizziness and headaches interfere with the usual active lifestyle, and in some cases even “force” to stop working. To solve the problem, you should listen to the recommendations of gynecologists:

1. How to relieve menopausal hot flashes. It is recommended to wear light clothing, if possible be near a fan or in an air-conditioned room, drink a sufficient amount of liquid (at least 2 liters per day). If hot flashes disturb a woman too often (several times a day or every day), then it is worth visiting a doctor and undergoing treatment with hormonal drugs.
2. If there is excessive night sweating, the recommendations are as follows: just before bed, take a cold shower (cool), cover yourself with a thin blanket, be sure to leave some part of the body open to give off heat (for example, you can not cover the lower limbs). An excellent option would be to use a heating pad or an ice pack. They are placed under the pillow and periodically turned over at night.
3. Itching and burning in the intimate area most likely indicate vaginal atrophy. This is also a physiological process. Doctors do not recommend giving up sex during this period, since an active sex life allows you to maintain the tissues of the vagina in a normal state. If there is severe dryness, then you should use a special lubricant for sexual intercourse. But there is one caveat – the lubricant must be water-based, which will avoid re-irritation.
4. Reduce weight. It is the extra pounds that provoke hot flashes, sweating and early atrophy of the vagina. Turning to an experienced nutritionist, you can get recommendations on how to lose weight with menopause. Banal diets in this case are unlikely to help.
5. If any chronic pathology of the reproductive system was previously diagnosed, then at the first signs of menopause, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist. Many diseases during this period require maintenance therapy. For example, endometrial hyperplasia in menopause involves hormone therapy.

Menopause is inevitable, so a woman should prepare for it in advance. You can get information about HRT for menopause (hormone replacement therapy), make an appointment with a specialist on our website Dobrobut.com.

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