Menopause is the stage of life that follows the end of the menstrual cycles. Each person may experience menopause differently.

It can last for several years, and there are three stages:

• Perimenopause: This is the transitional time that starts before menopause and includes the 12 months that follow a person’s last period.
• Menopause: This starts either 12 months after the last period or when menstruation has stopped for a clinical reason, such as the removal of the ovaries.
• Postmenopause: Posmeopause refers to the years after menopause, although it can be difficult to know when menopause finished and postmenopause starts.

Common ages to experience symptoms

According to the Office on Women’s HealthTrusted Source, the average age for menopause in the U.S. is 52 years, and it usually occurs between the ages of 48 and 58 years. It may happen earlier if the person has never had children or if they smoke. Birthing parents and their children assigned female at birth often experience it around the same age.

The changes usually begin in the late 40s, and periods stop on average around 4 years later, but the transition can last between 2 and 8 years. When there has been no menstruation for 12 months, menopause occurs.

Sometimes menopause happens early. Doctors call it “premature menopause” if it develops before the age of 40 years and “early” if it starts between the ages of 40 and 45. Early menopause naturally occurs in around 5%Trusted Source of females.

Symptoms such as hot flashes can start before menopause and may continue for several years after, but each person is different