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, although you might continue to experience some ongoing 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 early menopause when it happens between 40 and 45, and premature ovarian insufficiency when you’re younger than 40.
Hormone therapy is the most effective treatment we have for relieving many menopause symptoms. It comes in many different types, including gels and patches.
In perimenopause, your ovaries begin releasing fewer eggs and, as a result, levels of oestrogen can fluctuate, before eventually decreasing around the time of menopause. These fluctuating hormones and subsequent decrease in oestrogen can lead to physical and emotional changes, with symptoms that vary widely from person to person.
Some common symptoms include hot flushes, problems sleeping, mood changes, and changes to your period. Even if you don’t normally get your period – because you’re on hormonal birth control, hormone therapy, or have had a hysterectomy – you may still go through the stages of menopause and experience these hormonal changes.
The average age of menopause in New Zealand is 51, with menopause usually happening between 45–55 years old. But perimenopause symptoms can start years before your period stops.
Some people experience menopause earlier:
Early menopause happens between 40 and 45
Premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency is when you experience menopause under the age of 40
You might not regularly have your period for another reason. This could include being on hormonal contraception or hormone therapy, or having had a hysterectomy. This can make it difficult to know whether you’re in perimenopause or postmenopause.
But your doctor can make a reasonable prediction based on when your perimenopausal symptoms started. Sometimes a blood test can help determine which stage of menopause you’re in.
Technically, menopause is just one day.
But perimenopause – which is when your hormones fluctuate and you can experience symptoms like hot flushes, sleep changes, and changes to your period – can last for years.
Everyone's different though. Some people don't experience any symptoms, some have mild symptoms, while others experience severe symptoms. And the duration of symptoms varies a lot too – from a few months to years.
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.
