Menopause

2.2. When the menopause starts

For most women the menopausal process starts somewhere between 40 and 58 years of age [9]. The average age is 51 years [10], [11]. If the menopause starts earlier than 40 it is called premature menopause.

Maria

"I could tell the menopause had started because my periods became more irregular. At that time I was about 45 years old."

There is some evidence that the age at which the menopause starts might be genetically determined [12]. This means that mothers, daughters and sisters might experience menopause at about the same time of life.

Susanne

"I think that maybe it can run in the family. I remember that my mother used to complain about sweats. She was between 50 and 55 years old... When my periods finally stopped, I was at the beginning of my 50th year."

Some researchers suggest that there are other factors that might affect the timing of the menopause. These include the number of times women have given birth. A higher birthrate, for example, might be one of the reasons that women in some developing countries experience the menopause earlier [8].

It is also proposed that smokers might start menopause sooner, as well women who are over- or under-weight. The length of the woman's menstrual cycle is another suggestion [11]. But there is no conclusive evidence about these factors [11].

Article Navigation

• back
• Page 5 of 25
• next

© IQWiG (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care)