The Rundown On Menopause

In this article:

• Menopause is a transition, not a single event, and unfolds in three stages (perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause) that can span several years.
• Menopause itself is one milestone: the point after 12 consecutive months without a period, marking the natural end of your reproductive years.
• Hormonal changes affect more than periods. Declining oestrogen and progesterone can influence sleep, mood, body temperature, and energy, which is why everyone's experience varies.

A period that arrives early, then late, then not at all. A wave of heat that appears without warning. Nights where sleep just won't settle, even when nothing else has changed. These are all common and can happen during the menopause transition.

Understanding what menopause means starts with knowing it's more than a single milestone. Instead, it's a transition that can unfold over several years and includes several stages, each with its own changes and experiences. 

The good news is that menopause is a natural part of ageing and a well-understood stage of life. This guide explains what menopause is, when it typically happens, and the changes you may notice as your body moves through the transition.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the point when you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This is because your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and hormone levels have naturally declined¹, marking the end of your reproductive years. This change doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, the hormonal changes leading up to menopause usually begin several years before the final period and can cause changes to your menstrual cycle, sleep, mood and other aspects of wellbeing¹ ². 

You'll often see 'menopause' used more broadly to describe the whole transition, including the years of changes leading up to and following this point. In this guide, we use 'menopause' for that single milestone, and refer to the full journey as the 'menopause transition,' which includes three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. 

When does menopause start?

So, what age does menopause start? The typical menopause age is between 45 and 55 years, although some people experience menopause earlier or later² ³, depending on a range of factors. 

What happens during menopause?

During menopause, your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone. As these hormone levels change, ovulation becomes less regular before eventually stopping altogether, which leads to the end of menstrual periods² ⁴. 

These hormonal changes reach beyond your reproductive system; changes in their levels can affect sleep, mood, body temperature, bone health, and energy levels⁴ ⁵. This is why menopause can look and feel different from one person to the next.

The stages of menopause explained

Menopause plays out across three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause². Here’s a closer look at what happens during each stage. 

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause, when your ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen and progesterone. During this time, hormone levels can fluctuate, causing menstrual cycles to become less predictable before periods eventually stop².

This stage often begins several years before menopause, although the timing varies from person to person. For some, changes may be noticeable four to eight years before the final menstrual period, while others experience a shorter transition6 ⁷. 

Menopause

This is the defining stage, the point defined earlier as 12 months without a period ². By this point, your ovaries have naturally stopped releasing eggs. While some symptoms may begin to settle after menopause, others can continue into the years that follow at a different pace for each person².

Postmenopause

Postmenopause begins after you've gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period and continues for the rest of your life². During this stage, oestrogen and progesterone levels stabilise at a lower level than before menopause, although they no longer fluctuate in the same way they did during perimenopause².

Can menopause happen earlier?

Yes. While menopause most commonly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, some people experience it earlier than expected³.

Early menopause can happen naturally, while premature menopause may be linked to certain conditions or medical treatments¹⁰. The age at which menopause begins can also be shaped by factors such as genetics, smoking, and some underlying health conditions⁹.

If you notice menopause symptoms or your periods stop before the age of 45, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional. They can help determine the cause and discuss the most appropriate support for your individual circumstances.

When does menopause end?

Menopause itself doesn't have an end date because it's a single point in time and is  reached after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period². After that, you enter postmenopause, which continues for the rest of your life.

While hormone levels generally become more stable during postmenopause, everyone's experience is unique. Some symptoms, such as hot flushes or sleep changes, may gradually improve over time, while others can continue for several years². This is why ongoing self-care and regular health check-ups remain an important part of supporting your long-term health.

Understanding menopause as a life transition

Menopause is a natural stage of life, and everyone's experience of it is different. While hormonal changes can shape everything from your menstrual cycle to your sleep, mood, and energy levels, understanding what's happening in your body can help you feel more prepared for this next stage of life. 

Whether you're just starting to notice changes or are already moving through menopause, focusing on simple, sustainable habits and seeking support when you need it can help support your overall quality of life throughout this stage of life.

Want more articles on women’s health? Discover articles like understanding perimenopause and nutrition after 50 on the  Swisse Wellness Hub. 

References:

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2. Gatenby C, Simpson P. Menopause: Physiology, definitions, and symptoms. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan;38(1):101855. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101855. Epub 2023 Dec 21. PMID: 38171939. 
3. Burger, H. G., Hale, G. E., Dennerstein, L., & Robertson, D. M. (2008). Cycle and hormone changes during perimenopause: the key role of ovarian function. Menopause, 15(4), 603-612. 
4. Motlani, V., Motlani, G., Pamnani, S., Sahu, A., & Acharya, N. (2023). Endocrine Changes in Postmenopausal Women: A Comprehensive View. Cureus, 15(12), e51287. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.51287 
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7. Weber, M. T., Maki, P. M., & McDermott, M. P. (2014). Cognition and mood in perimenopause: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 142, 90-98. 
8. Erdélyi, A., Pálfi, E., Tűű, L., Nas, K., Szűcs, Z., Török, M., ... & Várbíró, S. (2023). The importance of nutrition in menopause and perimenopause—a review. Nutrients, 16(1), 27. 
9. Talaulikar, V. (2022). Menopause transition: Physiology and symptoms. Best practice & research Clinical obstetrics & gynaecology, 81, 3-7. 
10. Better Health Channel. (2024). Premature and early menopause. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/premature-and-early-menopause