When does Menopause start?

When Does Menopause Usually Happen?

Menopause can occur at various ages, but the age range that most women experience menopause is between 45 and 55, with the average age around 51. Early menopause occurs between 40 and 45 and late menopause between 55 and 60. 1-2% of women develop premature menopause before 40. The time at which a woman reaches menopause depends on a number of factors. Smokers reach menopause on average two years earlier than non-smokers. The best predictor of menopause age is the age at which your mother or sisters started Menopause

Natural menopause is a spontaneous ending of menstruation not caused by disease or intervention. With increased life expectancy, most women now live at least one-third of their lives after menopause. Surgical menopause occurs immediately if both ovaries are surgically removed (bilateral oophorectomy).

Surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy) does not cause menopause if the ovaries are left in place, although menstruation will stop. Women who have had a hysterectomy on average will start menopause two to three years earlier than women who have not. This will be heralded by host of symptoms and hot flushes and night sweats for most women. Chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy may predispose a woman to have an earlier menopause. With chemotherapy or radiotherapy these symptoms may be temporary and return of normal function of the ovaries (and menstruation) may occur.

Premature menopause whether natural or induced, occurs before age 40. The major cause (40%) is unknown. 30% of cases are autoimmune with antibodies destroying ovarian egg cells. Investigations for coexisting autoimmune conditions (thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.) should be done. Less common causes include destruction of ovarian tissues secondary to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Rare causes include genetics and chromosomal abnormalities. Terminology for this condition includes premature menopause, premature ovarian failure (POF) and premature ovarian insufficiency. Women with premature menopause should discuss hormone therapy with their health care provider to help prevent certain age-related diseases.