When Does Menopause Actually Start?

The average age of menopause is 51, but keep in mind that’s an average. Some women may begin menopause in their early to mid 40’s. Other women may not begin menopause until their late 50’s.

What causes menopause to start for most women is a change in hormone levels. Specifically, her levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease.

One of the things I’ve heard pretty often is that you’ll go through menopause around the same age your mom did, and that may be close to the truth for many women. So family history can play a role in when menopause starts.

But there are other things that can impact when you begin menopause.

If your ovaries are removed  that will cause menopause to start. Also many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause menopause to start.

Women who smoke may go through menopause earlier than those who don’t.

If you have certain autoimmune diseases, that may impact when you begin menopause.

The signs and symptoms of menopause that we hear a lot about are hot flashes and night sweats. You’ll also start to have pretty irregular periods.

It’s important to keep in mind that you can still get pregnant during this time. If that’s not something you want, you need to make sure you’re using a reliable form of contraception.

Another common symptom of menopause is vaginal dryness. This can make sex painful, and it can lead to microtears in the vagina. These microtears can increase your chances of getting an STI. Using a vaginal lube can help with the dryness.

Until next time, be safe and have fun!

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