How Long Does Menopause Last? A Guide to Stages and Timeline

For a long time, people were taught a simple story about menopause. Most people know menopause as the time when the female menstrual cycle becomes irregular, then stops completely. But thanks to growing research and awareness, people are now learning that menopause is a bit more complex than that. 

There are actually several stages of menopause. During menopause, your body’s production of two hormones — estrogen and progesterone — begins to change. The complex changes in these hormones leads to a range of different symptoms at each stage. If you’re in your 40s or 50s and experiencing new changes in your body, understanding the different stages of menopause and how long they last can be helpful.

When does menopause usually start?

Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 to 55. But this can vary.

Premature menopause is when menopause begins before the age of 40. This can happen for a variety of reasons:

• Family history or genetics

• Exposure to radiation or certain chemotherapy drugs

• Smoking

• Surgical removal of ovaries (This causes menopause to start immediately.)

• Surgical removal of the uterus (With this surgery, your ovaries remain and continue producing hormones, but this increases the risk of early menopause.)

• Other medical conditions that affect reproductive hormones

How long does the menopausal transition last?

The menopausal transition usually takes around 7 years. But it can last up to 14 years. And each person’s experience throughout the menopausal transition is different. 

What are the stages of menopause?

The stages of menopause include premenopause, perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. Here’s what to expect in each stage.

Premenopause

Premenopause means “before menopause.” Technically, it’s not considered a true phase of menopause in a medical sense. It refers to the time before perimenopause, when your periods are still regular and your hormones haven’t started changing yet. Progesterone and estrogen go up and down during a typical menstrual cycle, but overall they’re stable. 

People sometimes use “premenopause” and “perimenopause” interchangeably, but they mean different things. 

Perimenopause

Perimenopause means “around menopause.” It starts when there’s a natural drop in hormone levels — mainly progesterone and estrogen — as you age. Most often, perimenopause begins in the mid-40s. But it can happen earlier or later for some people. 

Menopause

Menopause begins when the body makes very little or no estrogen and progesterone. The symptoms of menopause are often the same as the ones listed above for perimenopause.

Technically, someone reaches menopause when it’s been a year since their last period. For example, if 11 months go by without a menstrual period, but it returns in month 12, that person isn’t considered to be in menopause yet. 

After 12 months have gone by without a period, it means you’ve completed menopause and are now postmenopausal. This also means you can no longer get pregnant. 

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the final stage of menopause. Although many symptoms of perimenopause and menopause usually go away during postmenopause, some may continue. This is especially true for hot flashes. Hot flashes may last for several years after menopause ends. 

People who are postmenopausal are also at an increased risk for heart and bone disease, since estrogen usually protects your heart and bones. But these conditions often don’t produce symptoms. This is why it’s important for people who are postmenopausal to be screened for these conditions.

A person is considered postmenopausal for the rest of their life after menopause. 

Quiz: Am I in perimenopause?

How to manage menopause symptoms

If you’re going through menopause and looking for relief, rest assured that you have plenty of options. Whether you’re interested in natural remedies, medications, or lifestyle changes, you can find an approach that matches your unique needs. 

Here are some ways to manage menopause symptoms:

• Eat a nutritious diet. A diet rich in whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables can help some women feel better during menopause. 

• Adopt good sleep habits. Poor sleep is a common symptom of menopause. And it can worsen other symptoms, like brain fog and mood swings. Establishing good sleep hygiene can help minimize the sleep disturbances that are so common during this phase.

• Exercise. Strength training, aerobic exercise, and balance exercises have all been shown to help ease menopause symptoms. 

• Wear lightweight clothing. If you’re having hot flashes or night sweats, wearing loose, light clothing can help you feel more comfortable. 

• Try mind-body treatments. Mind-body treatments — like acupuncture, hypnosis, mindfulness, and yoga — can help ease symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats.

• Consider supplements. Some supplements, like Relizen or phytoestrogens, may help relieve symptoms, like vaginal dryness or hot flashes. 

• Consider menopause hormone therapy (MHT): MHT (also known as hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) comes in many forms: pills, shots, creams, vaginal devices, and more. The best option for you depends on your symptoms and medical history. Talk to a healthcare professional you trust to see if hormone therapy is right for you. 

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Written by:

Cherilyn Davis, MD

Cherilyn Davis, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in NYC. She's held local and national roles at the American Medical Women's Association, including board member of the physician division and physician chair of social media.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP

Karen Hovav, MD, FAAP, has more than 15 years of experience as an attending pediatrician. She has worked in a large academic center in an urban city, a small community hospital, a private practice, and an urgent care clinic.

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