At what age does menopause usually over?

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age for menopause in the United States is 51. However, menopause can happen earlier or later than this age range for some women.
Key things to know about when menopause ends:

• Menopause is clinically defined as the point when a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months and has no other biological or physiological cause for the stopping of menstruation.


• The transition time leading up a woman's final period is called perimenopause. This transitional stage can last for several years.


• Once a woman has reached 12 months without a period, she has officially gone through menopause and is considered postmenopausal. This marks the end of her reproductive years.


• The postmenopausal stage lasts for the remainder of a woman's life. So there is no set age when menopause "ends." The symptoms and changes associated with menopause often stabilize within a few years after a woman's final period. But a woman remains postmenopausal indefinitely.

Timing and Duration of Perimenopause

• Perimenopause usually begins for women in their late 40s. However, it can start as early as the 30s or 40s for some women. The duration varies as well.


• During perimenopause, menstruation becomes irregular - periods may be lighter or heavier than usual, or a woman may skip periods. Other possible changes:


• Hot flashes


• Vaginal dryness


• Mood changes


• Difficulty sleeping


• On average, most women go through perimenopause for about 4 years before reaching menopause. But for some women this transition stage may be shorter or last for many more years.


• There's no way to predict exactly how long perimenopause will last. It varies from woman to woman.

Confirming Menopause Has Occurred

Once 12 months have passed since your last period, see your healthcare provider. They can administer a blood test to measure hormone levels to determine if menopause has occurred or rule out other possible causes for amenorrhea (lack of menstruation).

Life After Menopause

After menopause, women remain postmenopausal. But symptoms usually lessen. Other health impacts:

• Cardiovascular disease risk increases after menopause since estrogen drops. Managing heart health is vital.


• Bone density decreases faster in the years immediately following menopause, increasing osteoporosis risk later in life. Building strong bones through weight-bearing exercise, nutrition and possibly medication can help mitigate this.


• Body composition tends to shift - many women gain weight and accumulate more belly fat. Staying active can help counteract this.


• For some women, sexual health and function may change after menopause, though many women report satisfying sex lives after menopause as well. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

If symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness or mood changes persist and disrupt your quality of life in the years after menopause, discuss treatment options with your doctor or healthcare provider.

At Butterfly Hormone Center, we specialize in hormone testing and custom compounded hormone therapy to help relieve stubborn menopause symptoms so you can feel your best. Contact us today to ask about treatment options or schedule a consultation.