Every menopausal journey is different

The entire transition from the reproductive to the postreproductive years in a woman’s life consists of several stages. Understanding how this transition works and what is happening to your body is the first step to a happy menopausal journey. First of all, let's talk about these three main stages: perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.  

Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It is not a period, but a moment in time. The preceding period is called perimenopause, during which your ovaries gradually produce less female sex hormones. Postmenopause is the final stage and refers to the remainder of a woman's life one year on from her last period. During this period, your body adjusts to the reduced hormone levels and restores balance. 

The entire transition, from the first symptoms to postmenopause, lasts between six to 12 years. That's a big difference! It means that no women's experience of the menopausal transition is the same. Here's a fun fact. Did you know that the age your mother hit menopause can help you estimate your own timing? Research has shown that a woman’s mother’s age at menopause appears to be a factor in her own age at menopause.