Average Menopause Age

Menopause suggests the end of ovulation and fertility. In short, it indicates the end of reproductive cycle. Absence of menstruation for 12 consecutive months (one whole year) indicates that the woman has entered into the phase of menopause. Average menopause age is the age at which the woman experiences 'pause of menses'.

Average Age of Menopause

What age is menopause age? For women living in the U.S., the average age of menopause is 51. But, in the U.S. itself, the menopause age may be different for women living in the northern and southern regions. Some women may have to deal with menopause in their forties while some may have menopause later in their fifties. So the answer to the question 'what age does menopause start' is not fixed. It may vary from woman to woman.

In the previous century, the average age of menopause was about 60 years. Women experienced premenopausal changes in their fifties and attained menopause at around 60. The drastic change in the lifestyle (for example excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol) is responsible for the decreased average age of menopause. The menopause age range is 40-60. The menopause age for a woman is determined by several factors. Let us take a look at those factors now.

Factors that Govern Menopause Age

Natural menopause is attained by women normally 25-35 years after the first menstrual period (known as menarche). Girls at the age of 12-15 have their first menstrual period. Age of first menstrual period as well as the age at which menopause starts depend upon several factors. For example, the woman's overall health, diet, race, the biological clock that regulates the body functions, etc. Menopause age also depends upon genetic factors and the region where the woman lives. These days, percentage of women reaching menopause at 'premature age' has significantly increased. Women with certain autoimmune diseases or other diseases like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa (eating disorders) or women who undergo intensive athletic training may attain menopause at premature age. Similarly, women with nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance or those experiencing chronic stress may reach menopause earlier than the average age of menopause. A woman whose uterus and ovaries are removed surgically may have to face artificial or induced menopause after the surgery. Chemotherapy, drug addiction, excessive smoking, obesity or any other factor affecting the blood supply to the ovaries can bring about artificial menopause in a woman's life. What are the symptoms of menopause? Here follows the required information.

Symptoms of Menopause

A woman may experience menopause at the age of 50, but the symptoms can begin several years earlier. The symptoms seen before attaining menopause are referred to as premenopausal symptoms. These symptoms indicate that you are nearing the phase of menopause. Common symptoms of menopause onset are irregular menstrual cycle, increased irritability, depression, loss of hair, growth of fibroids, headaches, low sex drive, weight gain, etc. Hormone imbalance leads to perimenopausal symptoms like less or heavy bleeding during periods, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, breast tenderness, endometriosis, difficulty sleeping, night sweats, hot flashes, etc. One year after the last menstruation cycle, post menopause symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, vaginal dryness and itching, etc. are noticed. Women in perimenopausal stage (Perimenopause is the term used to denote the time period of 1 year after your last menstrual cycle) are likely to experience bladder infection, stress incontinence, loss of bone density (making them more susceptible to bone fractures) and may develop heart diseases.

Natural menopausal transition can take place without exhibiting any symptoms or exhibiting some of the above mentioned symptoms. Attaining menopause in your fifties, or around the average menopause age is considered good as your body and mind will be then prepared for the change. Hormone therapy can help lower the symptoms of menopause. Medications are prescribed to treat depression or mood swings. Just keep it in mind that menopause is as normal as puberty or pregnancy. Consult your doctor, if the symptoms are difficult to manage.