What is menopause?

Menopause is defined as 12 months without a period. The average age at which women experience menopause in the United States is 52, with most experiencing it between ages 45 and 55.

Postmenopause is the stage after a person has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 months. They will remain in postmenopause for the remainder of their lives.

As women live longer, they spend roughly 40% of their lives in the postmenopausal years, which equates to more than 30 years for most women.

Resources

Understanding Menopause: A Guide to the Transition and Beyond