Menopause is the time in your life when you stop having periods because of hormonal changes. This usually happens in your late 40s or early 50s but for some individuals it may happen earlier.
Menopause starts when your ovaries stop making estrogen, and slow down making other reproductive hormones, like progesterone. Without these hormones, you stop getting your period and stop being able to get pregnant.
If you’re between 45-55 and you haven’t had your period in a year, you aren’t pregnant, and you don’t have a serious illness, you may be going through menopause.
Not everyone goes through menopause because of aging. Sometimes other health issues kick start menopause. If your ovaries are removed through surgery, you may experience sudden symptoms of menopause instead of the gradual change that usually happens. Medical treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also make menopause happen early or suddenly.
Your doctor or nurse can help you figure out if you’re going through menopause and help you manage any symptoms.
Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause where you may begin to have symptoms. Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months up to 10 years, and is a process that may start, stop, and start up again.
Perimenopause usually begins in your 40s, but it can start earlier, too. People who smoke usually start perimenopause 2 years earlier than nonsmokers.
The amount of estrogen made by your ovaries starts to change in your 30s and 40s — it can go up and down. You may notice when this happens because your periods begin to change. Changes to periods during perimenopause are common and totally normal.
Some changes you might notice during perimenopause include:
- The time between one period and another changing (either longer or shorter)
- Totally skipping a period
- Bleeding patterns changing during your period (heavier or lighter)
- Bleeding between periods
Changes in menstrual bleeding are normal during perimenopause, but it’s still a good idea to talk with your doctor or nurse about them.
You can still get pregnant during perimenopause. If you don’t want to get pregnant, continue using your birth control method for at least a year after you have your last period. Your doctor or nurse can talk with you about your birth control method and answer any other questions you have about perimenopause.
Like many other life events, menopause can be a different experience for cisgender women whose partners are other women or for transmen regardless of their partner’s gender identity or sex.
Whether your personal experience with menopause is different than your healthcare provider may assume—due to social bias, access to health care, socioeconomic status or any other biological, psychological, or social factor—Planned Parenthood staff are trained to ask questions regarding all kinds of unique circumstances you may be facing.
We’re proud to provide expert, compassionate sexual and reproductive health care and resources to people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations.
We honor the strength, resilience, and power of the LGBTQ+ movement and we’re here with you to support you, both in your health and in your rights.
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