The menopause transition is experienced uniquely by each woman. Learn when menopause starts, the common symptoms and how long it lasts.

Key takeaways

• Menopause generally begins between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age is 51.
• Common symptoms include hot flashes, mood changes, dryness of the vagina, weight gain and sleep problems.
• Menopause can last several years and is driven by hormonal changes.
• Early menopause can be influenced by various factors including genetics, medical treatments and lifestyle determinants.

Menopause is a significant phase in a woman's life, marking the end of the reproductive years. It is a natural biological process that signifies the end of your menstrual cycle. It occurs when the ovaries stop producing eggs and levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone decrease.

When does menopause begin?

There is no definite time when menopause starts as the ages vary considerably.  Most women experience the natural transition to menopause between the ages of 45 and 55. While the average age when women hit menopause in Australia is 51, it's important to note that individual experiences can differ.

The phase leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, can start several years before menopause. This is when women start experiencing symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flushes, difficulty with weight loss, increases in belly fat, altered sexual function and sleep disturbances due to fluctuating hormone levels. However, it's only when a woman has not had a period for 12 months that she is officially considered to be in menopause.

There's a percentage of women who experience early menopause, which is defined as menopause that starts between 40 and 45 years of age. Premature menopause is when it occurs before the age of 40.

How do you know when menopause has started?

Identifying the start of menopause can be challenging because the process is gradual, and symptoms can vary so much.

These are some of the changes you may notice:

• Changes in your menstrual cycle including your periods becoming lighter or heavier, shorter or longer, or the time between periods may increase or decrease.
• Hot flashes and excessive sweats during the day or night.
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, altered libido and other sexual changes.
• Sleep disturbances/insomnia such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Mood changes such as mood swings, irritability, and feelings of depression or anxiety
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, particularly around the abdomen
• Cognitive changes such as brain fog, word finding difficulty and memory issues.
• Fatigue, joint pain and muscle aches are also a common feature.

If you notice these changes, it might be an indication that menopause is starting. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms and they're causing you concern, it's a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider. They can provide guidance and discuss potential treatment options to manage your transition.

Is there a test to determine if menopause has started?

There are tests available that can help indicate if menopause has started, however the Australian Menopause Society recommends that these tests only be used for those with suspected early or premature menopause.

Blood tests can measure hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels in these women.

During the menopausal transition, FSH levels increase and oestrogen levels decrease. An elevated FSH level can indicate that the body is trying to stimulate ovulation but is not succeeding, which is often a sign of menopause. However, due to the fluctuations in hormone levels, one single test is often not enough to confirm menopause.

It's important to note that these tests are not definitive, as hormone levels can fluctuate significantly during perimenopause. Most doctors will consider your symptoms and the absence of periods for 12 consecutive months as the primary indicators of menopause.

What influences the onset of menopause?

The onset of menopause is largely determined by the diminishing supply of eggs within the ovaries. This leads to a decrease in the production of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone that regulate menstruation.

Other factors that influence when menopause starts include:

• Genetics
• Lifestyle choices such as smoking and stress.
• Certain medical treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and contraceptives.
• Surgery that removes the ovaries and/or uterus
• Certain medical conditions
• BMI, for example, women with a higher BMI may experience later menopause due to increased fat stores

While these factors can influence the onset of menopause, the process is complex and involves a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

How long does menopause last?

The length that menopause lasts for varies greatly from woman to woman. It generally extends for about seven years, though it can stretch to as many as 14 years in some cases. The length of this phase can be influenced by various factors, including lifestyle, mental stress, nutrition, the age of onset, and ethnicity.

Understanding when menopause starts and its common symptoms can help you better prepare for this transition. Menopause is a natural process, but its symptoms can affect daily life and overall quality of life.

For those experiencing menopause, it's crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, stress management, optimising sleep and regular exercise. Vively, a metabolic health and lifestyle app, can assist women during menopause to manage their glucose control, understand the interconnections between the 4 pillars of health, and empower them to make healthy and sustainable lifestyle change.  With personalised real-time insights into your metabolic flexibility and health, Vively offers you the understanding, tools, education and support necessary to navigate menopause with confidence and grace.