Average age for menopause?

[Lottie4]

I'm now 47 and just wondering what the average age for the menopause is. If you're going through it or have been through it, can you let me know what age it started. Also, what were the first signs. Just wondering what to expect and when!

[Musicaltheatremum]

It varies enormously. Average age in the UK is 52. Some peoples periods just stop. Some become horrendous and some just tail off. Some get hot flushes. I get periods of just feeling very warm at times, no flushes. I'm 50 and last period was last December and only 3 or so during the previous year.

[grimbletart]

I understand the average age is 51/52. I was 52 - bog standard average, me!

I think women vary enormously in the signs. Some get none, their periods just stop. Some find their periods get less frequent and lighter. Some, conversely, find that in the peri-menopause their periods come closer together and much heavier (that was me). I had about 5/6 years of very heavy, close together periods, then a couple of years or so when they came less frequently. At 51 they stopped (I thought). Then a year later got one more. Then nothing.

The dreaded flushes came in the peri-menopause and for me lasted a good few years. But I can't complain because I never had an period pains or problems so maybe I couldn't expect to be lucky enough to miss all 'wimmins' troubles [grin}

HTH

[grimbletart]

X-posted Musical!

[Bunbaker]

I started getting "power surges" at 47, then my cycle lengthened. I ended up buying a couple of pregnancy tests because I was 3 weeks late in both cases. The hot flushes caused mild discomfort - more for my husband at night when I would fling the covers off .

My periods got further and further apart and lighter, and I had my last one at 51. I still get warm glows now and again, but I feel lucky that it wasn't a big deal for me

[BasketzatDawn]

I'm 52 and may have had my last period . But I had perimenopause for AGES, a good decade I think, and that was dreadful really - heavy bleeds, erratic cycle, etc.

[Lottie4]

Thanks for your replies (so far!). It's nice to know a little of what to possibly expect in the next few years.

[Willthisworknow]

I has ivf and was told my body was starting to go into peri menopause about 36 which lasts about 10 years. My mum said she was 46 so looks like ill be similar though thankfully had 3 children. I still have periods but the my 28 day regular cycle is starting to change to up to 33 days per cycle. My friend is 44 and has not had a period nor or over 2 years so does vary. Ps am having hot flushes and night sweats so I think I'm starting. I am 42 just now, 43 in feb.

[shimmeringinthesun]

Ha! I'm 53 and my periods are still tormenting me.....sometimes 2 in a month, sometimes nothing for 3 months!

'Tis cruel and should be made illegal methinks!

[RockinD]

I had seen nothing since last November, until last week when I have had another period! I am 58 in three weeks.

Yes, I have been checked out and all is well.

[Bunbaker]

Does the number of pregnancies you have had influence how early or late the menopause begins?

[Mirandasbestmate]

I am 48. 2 very light periods last year & nothing yet this year, though sometimes feel like I have raging PMT. No other real symptoms, but I put linseed on my cereal every day & eat soya beans 2/3 times a week which I think have helped.

[lapsedorienteerer]

Can highly recommend a mirena coil which seems to mean I'm missing many of the usual symptoms.

[lapsedorienteerer]

....should have added 'symptoms....and periods' .

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

I am 53 and have not had a period for six months. But I have had about four years of irregular periods - 2 in a month, none for six months, some light, some almost flooding. I am sincerely hoping that they have now stopped for good, but guess I have to wait until the full year is up!

No not flushes, just get a bit hot at night sometimes

[minkster]

I have been going through it since I was 42! The first sign for me was awful insomnia and periods going astray.. I am 44 now and on HRT which has helped things thank goodness as I was going crazy with lack of sleep. My periods are totally hit and miss.

[Ragwort]

I stopped my periods around 48 (I think) - I had one hot flush and absolutely no other symptoms/problems at all. .

I think I was very lucky though - had one pregnancy at 43, don't know if the two facts are linked .

[digerd]

52. My sis had them regularly on the pill until she came off it at 55 - no more since. No symptoms before or after.
    I had a couple in my late 50s early 60s, but they were only break throughs on HRT due to stress.

[Seaoftroubles]

I was still having regular, heavy periods at 55. My GP put me on the mini pill- for contraception no less-as I was in a new relationship and he said I could still be fertile! My periods disappeared but I came off the pill due to side effects and, with the onset of hot flushes etc, started hrt 6 months later.As I have been on hrt since then I was never quite sure when my periods finished completely but I'd guess about 56.

[Jinty64]

I'm 49 and haven't had a period for a couple of years, they just stopped. I get an occasional hot flush but nothing much.

[helzapoppin2]

Hot flushes started at 45. Periods stopped at 50.
Doctor called it an "early menopause". I didn't think it was!

[nemno]

This is a useful thread, thanks for starting it. I'm nearly 51 and nothing is different for me yet. Same regular heavy periods as always.

[MoreThanWordsforAnyFucker]

Started with night sweats around 41; at 42/43 periods started to go haywire, closer or further apart, heavier, then hot flushes.

Now on hrt and mirena but I have no idea how I will know when it's all over because I finally don't have periods with the coil.

[Allfurcoatandnoknickers]

Willthisworknow -can I ask if you were told that you would go into the meno early because of IVF? I started with meno about age 41, I had IVF at age 36. My symptoms have been very bad anxiety, sleeplessness, night sweats, hip ache, restless legs, back ache, I could go on....
I have a hrt patch for the oestrogen and mirena for progesterone.
I am thoroughly sick of feeling like this, the hrt has helped with the sweats, but the aches and pains haven't gone at all.
I went to a meno clinic referred by my GP. Their expertise and understanding were second to none. It's worth getting a referral if there is one in your area.

[BasketzatDawn]

Well, I spoke too soon. Obviously 52 1/2 too early for my menopause.

[digerd]

52 is the majority age for periods to stop. Some stop much earlier, but later are in the minority. Don't worry Basket.
Those on the pill continue with the pseudo period/bleeding, as with DSIS, but she was not ovulating. If she had stayed on the pill until 70s she probably would have continued to bleed in the 7 days off.