When exactly will you hit menopause?

Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet the age it begins and how it unfolds can look very different from one woman to the next. Some glide through it without noticing much of a difference, while others are caught off guard by years of hot flushes, disrupted sleep, and mood swings. But if you’ve ever wondered when menopause actually starts, the answer is both simple and surprisingly complex.

So, what age does menopause start?

The average age of menopause in the UK is 51. But menopause isn’t a switch that flips overnight, and is instead the culmination of a hormonal transition that can span several years. Technically, you’ve reached menopause when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. For most women, this happens between the ages of 45 and 55. However, there’s a wide spectrum of “normal”, and plenty of variation.¹

Some women reach menopause in their early 40s, while others continue menstruating into their late 50s. Genetics, lifestyle, and certain medical conditions can all play a role in when your periods stop for good.¹

The average age of menopause

According to the NHS, most women will enter menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with 51 being the most common age.² That figure holds true across much of Europe and North America, although studies suggest a slightly earlier average in Latin America (around 49) and slightly later in parts of Asia.¹

Interestingly, the age your mother or older sisters reached menopause can offer a clue about your own timeline. In many cases, it runs in families. But it’s not the only factor. Smoking, BMI, socioeconomic status, and exposure to environmental toxins (like lead or pesticides) can all influence menopausal timing.¹

What age does perimenopause start?

Before menopause comes perimenopause, which is the transition phase when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and symptoms start to creep in. This typically begins in a woman’s mid-to-late 40s, but for some, it starts even earlier.³

You might still be having periods (even if they’re irregular), but start noticing other changes like hot flushes, brain fog, or mood swings. These symptoms are often the first sign your hormone levels are shifting.

On average, perimenopause lasts four to eight years.³ For some women, it’s barely noticeable. For others, it’s the most difficult phase of the entire menopausal journey.

How long does menopause last?

It’s a common misconception that menopause only lasts for a year. In fact, the symptoms associated with menopause can begin years before your final period and continue for several years afterwards.

The average length of time women experience symptoms is around four to five years.¹ But for roughly one in ten, those symptoms persist for a decade or more.⁴

Once you’ve gone a full year without a period, you’re considered postmenopausal. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your symptoms will vanish. Vaginal dryness, low libido, and bone thinning, for instance, are often longer-term effects of declining oestrogen.¹

Early and premature menopause

Some women go through menopause much earlier than expected. Early menopause is when it happens before age 45. Premature menopause (or premature ovarian insufficiency) occurs before age 40. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:⁵

• Surgery to remove the ovaries

• Cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy

• Genetic or autoimmune conditions

• Unknown causes (in many cases, there’s no clear explanation)

If you’re under 45 and noticing changes in your cycle or menopause-like symptoms, it’s worth speaking to a clinician. Early menopause can increase the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, so getting the right support matters.

Is there a menopause age calculator?

You might come across online tools claiming to predict your menopause age based on lifestyle or family history. While these can offer interesting insights, they’re far from exact. There’s no definitive way to know when you’ll reach menopause, but being informed about the signs can help you prepare.

The numan take

Menopause is a natural part of ageing, but it can still catch many women by surprise. Whether you’re 45 and starting to feel different, or 38 and wondering if it’s too soon, it’s worth paying attention to your body’s signals.

References

1. Gold EB. The timing of the age at which natural menopause occurs. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America. 2011;38(3): 425–440.

2. Menopause in the workplace literature review. Gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menopause-in-the-workplace-literature-review/menopause-in-the-workplace-literature-review [Accessed 28th July 2025].

3. Santoro N. Perimenopause: From research to practice. Journal of women’s health (2002). 2016;25(4): 332–339.

4. Peacock K, Carlson K, Ketvertis KM. Menopause. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.

5. Chon SJ, Umair Z, Yoon MS. Premature ovarian insufficiency: Past, present, and future. Frontiers in cell and developmental biology. 2021;9: 672890.