During your 40s, your ovaries slow their estrogen production, so your periods may get shorter and lighter, or come less frequently. Menopause occurs when your period stops completely for 12 consecutive months. For most women, this happens in their late 40s or early 50s.
If you're a woman in your 40s, a change in your menstrual periods is the hallmark of perimenopause – that's what we call the years leading up to your last menstrual period. Here's a look at how we diagnose perimenopause and menopause, and what else to expect as you enter this phase of life.
Your period in your 20s, 30s and 40s. A typical period cycle is 28 days. Menstruation typically lasts two to seven days.
Perimenopause can begin in some women in their 30s, but most often it starts in women ages 40 to 44. It is marked by changes in menstrual flow and in the length of the cycle.
You can expect to experience changes with your menstrual as you get older. In your 40s, those changes might include irregular periods, heavier menstrual flow, and acne breakouts. However, you'll want to pay attention to any significant changes in your period that seem to be out of the ordinary.
During this transition, your ovaries begin producing less hormones, causing your menstrual cycle to become erratic or irregular. At this time, your body is moving toward the end of your reproductive years. Perimenopause may begin as early as your mid-30s or as late as your mid-50s.
Early menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45 years. Up to 12% of women have their final period before they are 45 years of age. This percentage is likely to be higher if we include menopause caused by surgery and cancer treatment.
Throughout this time, the ovaries are continuing to release eggs. That means that even though someone is older and experiencing symptoms associated with menopause, they are still fertile.
Overview. Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States.
Periods can get heavier and more painful for some women after the age of 40. Sometimes it is a nuisance and sometimes it is a cause for concern.
Period changes are usually the first signs of menopause. For example, your period may start to happen every 6-8 weeks. Or you may miss a couple months before it comes back again. You may also have a heavier flow or a lighter flow from time to time.
Perimenopause encompasses the years leading up to menopause, and it's characterized by well-known symptoms like hot flashes, moodiness, and weight gain. Menopause is not diagnosed until you've gone 12 months without any period at all. Once you've passed through menopause, you're in postmenopause.
Diagnosis of of perimenopause
Hormone testing is done through a hormone panel to test your levels of estrogen and other sex-linked hormones. This kind of testing can often show whether you are nearing or in menopause.
If you're in your mid- to late 40s and your periods are becoming irregular, you may be in the menopausal transition, or “perimenopause.” This is the natural stage your body goes through as you approach menopause.
Bleeding between periods, bleeding after having sex, or bleeding after the menopause needs to be checked by a doctor. It might be caused by an infection, abnormalities in the neck of the womb (the cervix) or, in rare cases, it could be cancer.
Menstrual irregularities, such as missed or late periods, occur in 14–25% of women of childbearing age. They can result from a range of conditions besides pregnancy, including hormonal imbalances, hormonal birth control, stress, weight loss, trauma, and certain health conditions.
Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause include: hot flushes, when you have sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest which can make you dizzy. difficulty sleeping, which may be a result of night sweats and make you feel tired and irritable during the day.
Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are all hormone balancing foods packed with great nutrients. Berries are rich sources of vitamin C, which regulates your progesterone levels, particularly during the luteal (PMS) phase of your cycle .