What is menopause?

The menopause transition happens in three stages.

1. Perimenopause:
   Hormone levels start to decline and symptoms set in. This phase can begin as soon as a woman’s late 30s to early 40s.

2. Menopause:
   This stage is really a life event, marking the moment a woman has gone a full year without a menstrual period. Typically, it occurs around age 51.

3. Postmenopause:
   Once a woman has had her final menstrual period, she is officially in the postmenopause stage.

This transition can last 10-20 years, and various physical, mental, and emotional symptoms can occur in all three stages. Each woman’s experience is unique, from timing to specific symptoms.