What Age Does Menopause Start?
A lot of you are confused as to when you are in menopause. That is because there are 2 stages: Perimenopause and Menopause. The confusion arises because people will say something like “Oh, she’s menopausal” when a woman begins to have symptoms.
To be clear: menopause is when a woman hasn’t had a period for a solid 12 months and is medically considered to have ended her menstruating years. So if you go, say, six months without a period, and then get one that resets the clock. You need to go another full year without a period to be considered in Menopause
In the United States, the average age to hit menopause is 51. Some women go longer. The oldest woman I have encountered who was still menstruating was age 61. If you know when your mother reached menopause, that will be a good indicator. I was exactly age 51 and that was when my Mom became menopausal. Or you can ask other women in your family because genetics does play a factor. Heavier women also tend to go thru menopause later than women who are thin. This is due to the fact that they are making more estrogen in their fat cells than the thinner women.
The years before that where you experience symptoms commonly associated with menopause— hot flashes, night sweats, irregular cycles and vaginal dryness is called perimenopause which means “about” or “around” menopause. You are still menstruating, though it may be irregular. Periods could be heavier or lighter, more frequent or less frequent.
This phase can start in your 40’s and continue for many years. Don’t fret...it’s NORMAL…the signal to you that your ovaries are shutting down. A list of the early signs of menopause approaching includes:
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
Chills
Night sweats
Sleep problems
Mood changes
Weight gain
Thinning hair
Dry skin
Loss of breast fullness
These symptoms can also continue after your final 12 months of having no period. Some of them will fade in time, but others, like vaginal dryness, tend to only get worse with age. So, don’t neglect yourself. Use a nice bio-identical hormone and you can be ”zippidy doo dah” into your 90’s and beyond.
My Bio-Identical ProHELP & Menopause Moisture Creme
RE: Synthetic Hormones and BCPS
Beware, ladies: I have seen WAY too many women given birth control pills to alleviate menopausal symptoms. OH, NO! Totally synthetic, increased risk of heart attack, stroke blood clots and breast cancer. And also, beware of oral estrogens if you are 60 or over. These can also cause heart attack.
I have some written handouts that I would love to put in your hands.
1. The Difference Between Perimenopause & Menopause
2. “Peri Needn’t be Scary”
Also, I have almost 300 videos on my YouTube Channel. It is called Hope For Your Hormones. I address questions about hormones and weight loss and skin care.
Hopefully I have answered your questions. If not, email me. I am your menopausal friend here to help. I BREEZED thru and you can also. I used my progesterone crème throughout my perimenopause, and I felt GREAT.
Menopause does not have to be “MEAN pause or MEN pause or MENTAL pause. Who comes up with these things? We are not Paused, we are PAUSITIVE!
Email me if you need more help!
Love You!