When women first begin to experience menopausal symptoms, which is during perimenopause, many women wonder how long these symptoms will last. Each woman experiences menopause on her own schedule and the end is different, too. The timing of menopause varies significantly for each woman due to genetics, diet, lifestyle, stress, cultural perspective, overall healthy, and more. The symptoms vary in severity for each woman, which makes it difficult to answer what appears to be a simply question.

Women may begin to experience menopausal symptoms as early as their 30s however some women may not begin to experience these symptoms until they are in their 50s or even later. In general,the most common time to experience menopausal symptoms is during the mid to late 40s. The first signs are usually a changed cycle, which could be shorter or longer. Other symptoms include hot flashes, mood changes, and more. Some women won’t experience any of these common symptoms other than the eventual cessation of the period. Then, some women will experience all of these symptoms very severely. There is no way to predict how your menopause will be, but if your mother, sisters, and/or aunts had a mild or severe menopause you might as well. There are no guarantees, of course, but that is one consideration to keep in mind.

Some women will experience symptoms for as little as a year while others may experience symptoms for three years or even as long as a decade. Symptoms that may persist include vaginal dryness, hot flashes, urinary symptoms, and more. In most women, the symptoms will be completely resolved within five years although it can be a difficult time period to get through.

If you want to base your opinion on what the average woman experiences then you should expect your menopause somewhere between mid 40s to mid 50s with a duration of 2 to 10 years. If your menopause begins earlier or later or lasts shorter or longer that does not mean it is not healthy. There is no “normal” menopause onset, duration, or even set symptoms simply because ever woman is so unique and different. If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression as a result of your menopause then you may want to consider discussing these with your doctor.

Posted in Menopause

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