Menopause

Source: MedlinePlus Health Topics, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Last synced 8/15/2026Status: primary verified

What is menopause? Menopause is the time in your life when you stop having your period and can no longer get pregnant. You have reached menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months. The time leading up to menopause is called the menopausal transition, or perimenopause. This transition usually begins when you are in your 40s, but sometimes it can start earlier. It can last for several years. The most common age for reaching menopause is between 45 and 55 years old. What is early and premature menopause? Early and premature menopause happens when your ovaries stop making hormones and your periods stop at a younger age than usual. When menopause happens before age 40, it's called premature menopause. If menopause happens before age 45, it's called early menopause. This can happen on its own (with no known cause). It can also happen because of surgery to remove the ovaries. Surgery to remove the uterus alone will cause your periods to stop, but it does not cause menopause unless the ovaries are also removed. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy used to treat breast cancer may also cause menopause to start earlier than usual. A condition called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) happens when your ovaries stop working normally before you are age 40. But this condition is different from early menopause. If you have POI, you may still have periods, even though they might not come regularly. And you might still be able to get pregnant. Other reasons for early or premature menopause can include: A family history of early or premature menopause Smoking Certain health conditions What are the symptoms of menopause? During the menopausal transition, your ovaries start to make less of the estrogen and progesterone hormones . The changes in these hormones cause the symptoms of menopause, which can include: A change in your periods; they may be: Irregular, with more or less time in between periods. Shorter or longer. Lighter or heavier. Hot flashes,

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This information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always talk to a licensed U.S. clinician about your situation, medications, or treatment decisions.