Signs of Menopause

It has been estimated that the average menopause age in the Western world is 51 years. The typical age range for the first signs of menopause is between the ages of 45 and 55.

If the last period occurs between the ages of 55 to 60 this is known as a "late menopause". When a woman experiences "Early menopause" this is when the final period occurs between the ages of 45 to 50. The word menopause literally means the cessation of monthly cycles or menstrual cycles, from the Greek roots meno (month) and pausis (a halt).

Once signs of menopause start to occur the periods are usually very erratic and it can take several months or years of this type of cycling to completely cease. This makes pegging down an actually menopause age difficult.

The years leading up to the last period ever is referred to as premenopause. This describes the menopause age when the levels of reproductive hormones are already becoming lower and more erratic, and the signs of menopause and hormone withdrawal may be present.

The time that follows the point when a woman's ovaries become inactive is called postmenopause. This menopause age or stage takes place after a woman's last period ever and most signs of menopause seem to have subsided.

Once a woman has gone one full year with no flow at all, not even any spotting, and she still has her uterus, she can be said to be postmenopausal. When a woman reaches that point, she is one year into postmenopause. This is the menopause age most women look forward to. A woman who has her ovaries removed she will immediately be in "surgical menopause".

All women will experience the signs of menopause or effects of perimenopause.  However, not every woman will realize these signs at the same levels.  As the body senses the rapidly changing levels of natural hormones one or more of these signs will become apparent and will vary from person to person.
 
As a women is well into her menopause age she will commonly experience such signs of menopause as vainal atrophy, skin drying, hot flashes and mood changes.  A lack of energy is also a common symptom described by both users and non-users of hormone replacement therapy. Some psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, memory problems and lack of concentration can be experienced as well.  Most of these signs of menopause will usually stop or improve significantly once the menopause age has been completed.

The menopause age and signs of menopause are a natural life change, not a disease state or a disorder. The transition itself can be challenging for a number of women, but for others it may not be as difficult, but all will experience some signs of menopause.