Whether you’re 40 or 50, menopause symptoms can hit you with surprise. One day, you can be happily going along your way, then the next you can be having hot flashes, finding it difficult to sleep at night, and feeling cranky and irritable.

Could you really be going through menopause? Aren’t you too young? What’s the typical age of menopause?

According to ob-gyn and author Judith Reichman, the usual age of menopause is 45-55 (average age is 51), but women can experience menopausal symptoms as early as 40. (Before 40 would be considered “very early menopause,” and women might be encouraged to go on hormones in those cases.) If the woman is experiencing menopausal symptoms but still having her period, she may be in perimenopause.

So what are the stages?

Perimenopause (anytime between 35-50) – You’re still having your period, but you may also begin experiencing menopausal symptoms: hot flashes, breast tenderness, insomnia, agitation, night sweats and more. Your period might be sporadic, skipping some months.

Menopause (usually 45-55) – Your period has stopped completely. But menopausal symptoms continue: more night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, and mood swings. Also you may experience hormone imbalances, low sex drive (or none at all), overactive bladder or incontinence.

Post-menopause – Your period has been stopped now for some time, and your hormones begin to balance out. Most women will stop having the hot flashes and other symptoms after about 2 to 5 years, according to Reichman. For some women, however (about 15% of women), hot flashes and other symptoms unfortunately continue forever.

The intensity of symptoms will also be affected by whether the woman takes hormones or not. To learn more about the age that women might be given hormones, the age when they may stop, how early menopause makes a difference, and more, visit Lifescript.com and read more of Judith Reichman’s interview and the age of menopause.

You may also want to visit Lifescript’s new online Menopause Health Center for lots more tips, articles, recipes and more about menopause.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).

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