Menopause Symptoms: How Long Do They Last?

How Long Is Menopause:

how long is menopause

If you are someone who has few or very mild symptoms it can make it trickier to know if you’ve started the transition. Many of these above symptoms can also result from other medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, so it’s important to talk to your doctor whenever you experience menopause-like read what he said symptoms. These symptoms could go on for years or decades after you stop getting your periods’into the time called postmenopause. If you have hot flashes but aren’t sure they’re related to menopause, talk to your doctor. Some medical conditions and even medications can bring them on, too.

Vaginal dryness or irritation is more common after menopause and can cause small cuts or tears during sex, exposing you to STIs. Perimenopause, the transition to menopause, can last between two and eight years before your periods stop permanently. For navigate to these guys most women, this transition to menopause lasts about four years. You will know you have reached menopause only after it has been a full year since your last period. This means you have not had any bleeding, including spotting, for 12 months in a row.

It’s a menopause myth that the older you are when you first menstruate, the older you’ll be when you go through menopause. If you got your period later than average, you may begin menopause earlier. Whether you’ve just experienced your first hot flash or have been trying to cope with symptoms for months, you’re probably wondering ‘how long does menopause last? ‘ After all, not knowing what to expect makes every symptom that much more difficult.

There are a variety of non-hormonal and hormonal interventions that can help alleviate symptoms of menopause. Symptoms that impact on health and well-being should be discussed with a health-care provider to identify available management options, with consideration of medical history, values, and preferences. The late menopause transition is when you’re getting a little closer to menopause. This time is usually marked by irregular periods and menstrual cycles.

Cultural perspective about menopause may also influence how you view your experience. While it can be helpful to get a sense of what is typical and even ‘compare notes’ with friends, remember that your menopause experience is truly unique to you. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Osteoporosis, a ‘brittle-bone’ disease, occurs when the insides of bones become less dense, making them more fragile and likely to fracture.

The evolution of the menopause in whales means females compete less with their own children. They can also put their time into helping their descendants thrive. In a recent market analysis, SJF Ventures discussed the untapped market opportunity in menopause.

That means that approximately 9.5% of the entire U.S. workforce is in menopause. A study conducted by the femtech company Joylux estimated that, by 2025, 54 million women in the U.S. will be in menopause. Instead, doctors should consider a woman’s background and current life situation when she reports mental health symptoms during menopause. No one knows why in humans only females undergo menopause even though both sexes live to be approximately the same ages. This means their family lines are more likely to survive, which has the same effect as having more children. Post-reproductive-age females help their family group in many ways.

Many women experience mild symptoms that can be treated by lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine or carrying a portable fan. Some women don’t require any treatment at all, but for others, symptoms can be more severe. The severity of symptoms varies greatly around the world and by race and ethnicity. If you are having symptoms that are common during menopause, your doctor may ask questions about your age, symptoms, and family history to determine if it really is the menopausal transition causing your problems.

how long is menopause

You can still get pregnant during perimenopause, the transition to menopause, even if you miss your period for a month or a few months. During perimenopause you may still ovulate, or release an egg, on some months. This fact sheet refers to ‘women’ in alignment with the available data, which does not routinely identify gender identity.

But mothers do tend to give more support to their male offspring than to their female offspring. Studying these toothed whale species offers a way to think about human evolution, Gurven said. If you haven’t had your uterus removed, your doctor will typically prescribe estrogen along with progesterone or progestin (progesterone-like medication). This is because estrogen alone, when not balanced by progesterone, can stimulate growth of the lining of the uterus, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. If you have had your uterus removed (hysterectomy), you may not need to take progestin. Results of an ongoing study showed mixed results for postmenopausal women taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

While it might limit the number of offspring a female has, a longer life means she can raise her children and grandchildren, helping to ensure their survival. This taboo is nowhere more detrimental than in the workplace, where there remains a great deal of stigma around look at this speaking about menopause. However, a new study says some women are at more risk than others for menopause-linked mental health issues, and many escape them altogether. If you haven’t had a hysterectomy and are using systemic estrogen therapy, you’ll also need progestin.

If you can’t or don’t want to take hormones, other medications can ease symptoms. They include antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, or blood pressure medications to help with hot flashes and mood swings. The most accurate way to tell if it’s happening to you is to watch your menstrual cycles for 12 months in a row. It helps to keep track of your periods and chart them as they become irregular.

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