Is the average age for menopause really 51?

[Gwenhwyfar]

I'm just wondering because, while I keep being told the average age for menopause is 50 or 51, so many of the women I know still have some periods around 54 or 55. I only know one person who had an early menopause (around 40). I realise the average could still be closer to 50, but I also wonder how the average is calculated, and could it have changed over time?
What age were you when your periods had stopped for a full year?

I'm 54 and still have regular periods. Bit tired of it all by now!

I had my last period a month or so after I turned 50.
Just to add, my mother was also 50 when hers stopped.

To those of you who are menopausal - did your periods stop suddenly or is it a case of them getting farther apart for a while and then gradually stopping? Does anyone ever have a fairly normal cycle and then just stop?
My cycle is getting shorter not longer. When will it all end?!!!

Am 53. Still having periods. Every 3-4 weeks. I long for the fuckers to go.

Mine is getting shorter too and heavier periods, but this is the early stage I think. I presume that later on they will become further apart. But I am not wishing for it to come any time sooner.

I'm 58. Still haven't had 12 months without a period and I'm properly fed up I can tell you!

"Well it's looking like it from the poll so far OP."

At the moment the 54+ group is catching up!

Mine got closer together in my mid 40s, every 3 weeks or so. Then in my later 40s they started getting less often, missing a month often.
Then stopped at 50.

I was 55.

I didn’t realise many women had periods well into their 50s.

It's why I asked the question really.

I was 47 when I had my last period.

Regular periods till 53. On and off for a year. Last one at 54½. 58 now.

I’m an outlier at 40 all the women on maternal side have had an early menopause, my mum was 37

It's one year clear and any bleeds after a year should be checked out.

That's what I thought. There's a minority who have it much earlier than expected and I can't imagine there's a 65 year old for every 35 year old.

I am 52 but i take the pill where you dont have a break or a period so i have no idea if they have stopped or not. I did stop taking it about 2 years ago and my periods were horrendous and heavy and regular so started the pill again.

Cant wait till i dont have periods or take the pill anymore

I had a horrendous period and bled like a tap for 7 days, could barely leave the house and that was it,that was my last period.

I was 46 when it was confirmed. I'd been on the pill which had hidden the fact I had been through the menopause as soon as I stopped taking the pill no periods at all.

I'll turn 51 this year and still have monthly periods, slightly shorter than they used to be. Anecdotally, I've heard such different stories, but the range among my friends is stopping at 47 all the way up to 56/57.

I was 54 when I'd gone a full year without a period.

I'm 55. Was still getting regular periods till I had mirena fitted in September but it's been extremely light since then. I'm desperate for them to stop because I get a migraine with every spec of blood (and have for well over a decade).

Mine just stopped. at 40. TBH by then I was glad to see the back of them.

50 with a mirena so i don’t know.
I am having a very, very bad week though, and it feels hormonal - so suspect I am still cycling.

Rage. My rage is a problem this week.

I'm 56 this year and still haven't gone through menopause. Longest gap between periods was 84 days last year. Was SO gutted when I started bleeding again. However, my peri symptoms are manageable, I've avoided needing HRT so far and my periods when they come are much lighter than when I was in my 30s so I shouldnt really complain. But I do!!