Chatting About Menopause, Uncensored and Unfiltered
Does Menopause Age Depend on One's Health Condition?
Getting a heads up about menopause would sure be sweet, right? Knowing when to retire your reproduction passport would be a game-changer. But most folks won't know the exact date of their menopause party.
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But Dr. Julia Girzhel, an Ob/Gyn, can help you prepare for this life-changing phase as much as possible.
She discussed the average age of menopause, whether you can speed up or delay menopause, the health risks of going into menopause very early, and answering common questions about how various factors affect menopause timing.
When Does Menopause Kick Off?
In the U.S., the average age of menopause is 51. You're officially there when you've gone 12 months without menstruating. The typical timeframe for menopause to begin is between ages 45 and 58. The pre-menopause party, called perimenopause, can start as early as 10 years before menopause.
Entering menopause a little earlier or later than 51 usually doesn't mean there's an issue with your health. But hitting menopause around the average age? That's ideal, says Dr. Girzhel. If you start experiencing menopause symptoms before age 40, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
Can You Delay or Speed Up Menopause?
While some factors might slightly nudge you to menopause later than the norm, there are no real strategies for significantly delaying menopause, according to Dr. Girzhel. If you're hoping to expedite things, well, just let nature do its thing.
In some cases, early menopause can occur due to health conditions and events, such as chemotherapy, certain autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV, Turner syndrome, radiation therapy for cancer in your pelvic area, oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), or hysterectomy (removal of uterus).
Is Early or Late Menopause Better?
Typically, it's healthiest to go through menopause around the average age that people experience it - somewhere between 45 and 58. This phase between ages 40 and 45 is called early menopause. If menopause happens very early, before age 40, it's called premature menopause. Research shows that premature menopause raises your risk for dementia, depression, anxiety, heart disease, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and more. But with hormone therapy (HT), you may be able to lower those risks.
What Factors Affect Menopause Timing?
You can't know exactly when you'll go through menopause if you're going the natural route. Here are some facts and fiction about the factors that can impact menopause timing.
Does the Age You Start Your Period Determine Menopause Age?
Nope. The average age for the first menstrual period is between 12 and 13 years old. Starting your period earlier or later doesn't affect when you enter menopause.
Does Your Cycle Length Impact Menopause Age?
Yes. A shorter menstrual cycle may lead to an earlier onset of menopause. Research shows that if your cycles average fewer than 25 days, you may start menopause earlier than people with cycles that are typically 26 to 34 days.
Does the Age Your Mother Reached Menopause Affect Your Menopause Age?
Yes, if your mother started menopause early or late, you're likely to have a similar experience. The age your mother experienced menopause is the best overall predictor of when you might enter this phase.
Does Alcohol Use or Smoking Affect Menopause Age?
Excessive alcohol use can disrupt menstrual patterns and metabolism, potentially impacting menopause timing. Smoking also affects menopause: Research shows that smoking may bring on menopause up to two years earlier than non-smokers.
Does Having More Children Impact Menopause Age?
Having at least one full-term pregnancy lowers your risk of early menopause. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of early menopause. If you've never had a pregnancy, you might experience menopause sooner.
Does Trauma Affect Menopause Timing?
Stress and trauma can affect hormonal cycles, but these changes are usually temporary and don't affect menopause age. However, some research shows a link between PTSD and worse symptoms during menopause.
Does Having Your Ovary or Uterus Removed Affect Menopause Age?
Removing both ovaries will cause early or premature menopause, while having one removed won't change the average age of menopause. If you have your uterus removed, you might experience menopause one to two years earlier than if you still had it.
Sometimes, early or late menopause occurs with no obvious explanation. If your periods stop before age 45, or you experience period changes or troublesome symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider. Together, you can find ways to ease symptoms and reduce health risks so you can fully enjoy the next phase of life.
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- Startlingly, research shows that premature menopause before age 40 increases the risk for various health issues such as dementia, depression, anxiety, heart disease, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, and more.
- Intriguingly, the age a woman's mother reached menopause is the best predictor of when she may enter this life-changing phase, demonstrating a potential genetic link between generations.
