People often use “menopause” as a catch-all term to describe all three stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, but it actually refers to a moment in time when you haven’t had a period for 12 months.
After this, you’ll be in postmenopause, and your ovaries won’t be releasing any eggs, although you might continue to experience some symptoms.
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age of menopause in Aotearoa is 51, but sometimes your ovaries stop creating oestrogen earlier. This is called premature or early menopause.
Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment we have for relieving many menopause symptoms. It comes in many different types, including gels and patches.
If you’ve been taking hormone therapy, have had a hysterectomy, or if you’ve been using contraception that affects your periods, it might not be possible to determine the exact moment in time when you experienced menopause.
Your menopause clinician will be able to make a reasonable prediction about when you are in postmenopause based on when your symptoms started. Sometimes a blood test can help determine which stage of menopause you’re in.
Menopause just lasts one day and refers to a moment in time when you haven’t had a period for 12 months. The period leading up to this is perimenopause. It’s confusing as many people use “menopause” to refer to perimenopause, menopause, and even postmenopause.
It depends. Everyone is different. But some people do continue to experience symptoms into postmenopause.
A study of Australian women found that:
60% of women have four to eight years of mild symptoms
20% of women don’t experience any symptoms
20% of women are more severely affected, with symptoms potentially continuing into their 60s
Book your 45-minute initial appointment with one of our menopause clinicians. We'll come up with a tailored treatment plan which could include hormone therapy.
Book your 45-minute virtual appointment with one of our menopause clinicians for personalised menopause care. You'll get tailored treatment and support to help manage symptoms and promote wellbeing.