The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

How long does menopause last? 5 tips for navigating uncertain times

  • Written by Yvonne Middlewick, Nurse & Lecturer, Edith Cowan University
How long does menopause last? 5 tips for navigating uncertain times

Around half of the world’s population are women or people who menstruate – yet the way their body works can be a mystery, even to them.

Most women will experience periods roughly every month, many will go through childbirth and those who live into midlife will experience menopause.

While menopause is a significant time of change, it isn’t talked about much, other than as a punchline. This may contribute to keeping it a taboo topic[1].

So, what happens during menopause? How do you know when it is happening to you? And – the thing most women want to know – how long will it last?

What is menopause?

Menopause is defined[2] as the permanent cessation of menstruation, which is medically determined to be one year after the final menstrual period. After this time women are considered to be postmenopausal.

The average age[3] of “natural menopause” (that is not caused by a medical condition, treatment or surgery) is considered to be around 51 years.

However, natural menopause does not occur suddenly. Changes can begin[4] a number of years before periods stop and most often occur in a woman’s 40s but they can be earlier. Changes can continue[5] for 10 years or more after periods have stopped.

Using hormones such as the oral contraceptive pill or hormone intrauterine devices may make it more difficult to determine[6] when changes start.

Menopause that occurs before 45[7] is called “early menopause”, while menopause before 40 is called “premature menopause”.

What about perimenopause?

Various terms[8] are used to describe this period of change, including “menopause” or “the menopause”, “menopausal transition”, “perimenopause” or “climacteric[9]”.

These terms tend to refer to the period before and after the final menstrual period, when changes are considered to be related to menopause.

The difficulty with the definition of menopause is it can only be decided retrospectively. Yet women can experience changes many years before their periods stop (a lead up usually called “perimenopause”). Also, any changes noticed[10] may not be associated with menopause (because people might not be aware of what to expect) or changes may be associated with a combination of factors such as stress, being busy or other health issues.

Read more: 'Brain fog' during menopause is real – it can disrupt women's work and spark dementia fears[11]

So, what is going on?

Through a feminist lens, menopause can be seen as a complex and diverse experience[12], influenced by biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of women’s lives.

However, it is usually viewed from the biomedical perspective. This sees it as a biological event, marked by the decline[13] in ovarian hormone levels leading to a reduction in reproductive function.

The female reproductive system operates because of a finely tuned balance of hormones managed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis[14]. International experts[15] have developed a staging system for female reproductive ageing, with seven stages from “early reproductive” years to “late postmenopause”.

However, female reproductive hormones do not just affect the reproductive system but other aspects[16] of the body’s function. These include the neurological system[17], which is linked to hot flushes and night sweats and disrupted sleep. Hormones may also affect the heart and body’s blood circulation[18], bone health and potentially the immune system[19].

Menopausal hormone changes may cause[20] hot flushes, night/cold sweats, mood swings, sleep disruption and tiredness, vaginal dryness.

Medical confirmation of menopausal changes in women over 45 years is based on two biological indicators: vasomotor symptoms (those hot flushes and night sweats again) and an irregular menstrual cycle[21].

In early perimenopause the changes to the menstrual cycle may be subtle. Women may not recognise early indicators, unless they keep a record and know what to watch for.

woman writing something at outdoor table
Keeping track of any changes that could be menopausal is a good idea. Pexels, CC BY[22][23]

Read more: What is perimenopause and how does it affect women's health in midlife?[24]

How long does it last?

The body demonstrates an amazing ability to change over a lifetime. In a similar way to adolescence where long-lasting changes occur, the outcome of menopause is also change.

Research suggests it is difficult to give an exact time frame for how long menopausal changes occur – the average[25] is between four and eight years.

The Penn Ovarian Ageing Study[26] found 79% of the 259 participants experienced hot flushes starting before the age of 50, most commonly between 45 and 49 years of age.

A later report on the same study found one third of women studied experienced moderate to severe hot flushes[27] more than ten years after their periods had stopped. A 2017 study[28] found a small number of women continued to experience hot flushes and other symptoms into their 70s.

So overall, the research cannot offer a specific window for perimenopause, and menopause does not appear to mark the end of changes for everyone.

person holds phone with period tracking app and menstrual cup Menopause is ‘official’ once you haven’t had periods for one year. Shutterstock[29]

Read more: Making sense of menopausal hormone therapy means understanding the benefits as well as the risks[30]

5 tips for uncertain times

Shifts and changes can be recognised early by developing knowledge, paying attention to changes to our bodies and talking about menopause and perimenopause more openly.

Here are five tips for moving from uncertainty to certainty:

1. talk to people and find out as much information as you can. The experiences of mothers and sisters may help, for some women there are familial similarities

2. notice any changes to your body and make a note of them, this will help you recognise changes earlier. There are menopause tracking apps[31] available

3. keep a note of your menstrual cycle: start date, duration, flow and note any changes. Again, an app might help

4. if you are worried, seek advice from a GP or nurse that specialises in women’s health. They may suggest ways to help with symptoms or refer to a specialist

5. remember changes are the indicator to pay attention to, not time or your age.

Menopause is a natural process and although we have focused here on the time frame and “symptoms”, it can also be a time of freedom (particularly from periods!), reflection and a time to focus on yourself.

Women speak about their experiences of menopause.

References

  1. ^ taboo topic (www.theguardian.com)
  2. ^ defined (www.nia.nih.gov)
  3. ^ average age (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. ^ Changes can begin (www.researchgate.net)
  5. ^ can continue (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  6. ^ difficult to determine (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  7. ^ before 45 (www.womenshealth.gov)
  8. ^ terms (www.menopause.org.au)
  9. ^ climacteric (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  10. ^ changes noticed (www.sciencedirect.com)
  11. ^ 'Brain fog' during menopause is real – it can disrupt women's work and spark dementia fears (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ complex and diverse experience (www.researchgate.net)
  13. ^ decline (www.sciencedirect.com)
  14. ^ hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ experts (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  16. ^ other aspects (www.sciencedirect.com)
  17. ^ neurological system (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  18. ^ heart and body’s blood circulation (www.nature.com)
  19. ^ immune system (www.sciencedirect.com)
  20. ^ cause (www.thewomens.org.au)
  21. ^ irregular menstrual cycle (www.womenshealth.gov)
  22. ^ Pexels (images.pexels.com)
  23. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  24. ^ What is perimenopause and how does it affect women's health in midlife? (theconversation.com)
  25. ^ average (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  26. ^ Penn Ovarian Ageing Study (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  27. ^ moderate to severe hot flushes (womensmidlifehealthjournal.biomedcentral.com)
  28. ^ 2017 study (journals.lww.com)
  29. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  30. ^ Making sense of menopausal hormone therapy means understanding the benefits as well as the risks (theconversation.com)
  31. ^ menopause tracking apps (www.redonline.co.uk)

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-long-does-menopause-last-5-tips-for-navigating-uncertain-times-195211

Times Magazine

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

The Times Features

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...

Why You’re Always Adjusting Your Bra — and What to Do Instead

Image by freepik It starts with a gentle tug, then a subtle shift, and before you know it, you're adjusting your bra again — in the middle of work, at dinner, even on the couch. I...

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...