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Who Is Affected by Menopause
Menopause is the milestone in every woman's life that marks the end of her reproductive years. Most (95%) of all women begin the transition to menopause (perimenopause) between ages 39 and 51. On average, women start perimenopause around age 46, with an average of 5 years until menstruation ends. After 1 year of no menstrual periods, a woman is said to have reached menopause.
- The average age of menopause is between 50 and 51. In 95% of all women, it occurs between the ages of 44 and 56.1
- Menopause before the age of 40 (spontaneous premature menopause) is rare, affecting about 1% of women in the United States.1
- Genetic factors can be a strong predictor of when menopause will occur. If your mother had an early or late menopause, you probably will also.1
- Cigarette smokers experience menopause an average of 1.5 years earlier than nonsmokers.1
- Women living at high altitudes experience an earlier menopause.1
Menopause can also be caused by surgical removal of the ovaries, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 4, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Geriatric Medicine | |
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