Menopause typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age is 51 in the United States. However, menopause can occur earlier or later than this normal range for some women.
Key factors that influence when menopause starts include:
- Genetics: Women often experience menopause around the same age as their mother or sisters. Genetics plays a big role.
- Ethnicity: Caucasian women tend to experience menopause slightly earlier, between ages 45-52 on average. African-American and Hispanic women experience menopause later on average, between ages 49-55.
- Smoking: Women who smoke often experience menopause 1-2 years earlier than non-smokers. The chemicals in cigarettes may accelerate ovarian decline.
- Body weight: Women with lower body weights, often below 110 pounds, tend to have menopause earlier. Being underweight stresses the body, which can induce early menopause.
- Chemotherapy or Radiation: Cancer treatments with radiation to the pelvis or chemicals can sometimes damage ovaries, causing premature menopause.
- Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus causes menopause if the ovaries are also removed. If ovaries remain, menopause happens 1-3 years earlier on average.
The menopause transition actually begins before your final menstrual period. The phase leading up to the final period is called perimenopause. Here is a bulleted overview of the menopause timeline:
- Perimenopause
- Estrogen levels begin fluctuating
- Periods may become irregular
- Lasts an average of 4 years
- Menopause
- The final menstrual period
- Diagnosed after 12 months without a period
- Postmenopause
- Begins 1 year after the final period
- Marked by low estrogen levels
Perimenopausal symptoms often start during the mid to late 40s. They include:
Estrogen & progesterone levels fall significantly during and after menopause. This hormonal decline is behind most menopausal symptoms. It also leads to:
- Accelerated bone loss & higher fracture risk
- Potential genitourinary tract changes
- Cardiovascular effects like lipid changes
Bioidentical hormone therapy can help relieve symptoms and long-term health effects related to the estrogen loss of menopause.
Equilibrium Hormone Institute specializes in customized
() to help women transition into menopause smoothly. We offer both estrogen and progesterone as:
- Oral tablets
- Transdermal gels
- Patches
- Vaginal creams/tablets
Our experienced staff help identify your optimal hormone regimen to:
- Reduce hot flash frequency/severity
- Lessen night sweats
- Improve sleep
- Restore vaginal health
- Stabilize mood
- Prevent bone loss
- Lower heart disease risk
We also provide nutritional counseling, fitness plans, stress reduction techniques and community support groups for women going through
(/perimenopause) or
(/menopause). Contact us today for a consultation.
