Every woman in her life has to go through the difficult phase of menopause. Menopause is
bound to cause many discomforts such as sweating, hot flashes, depression and mood swings. Such symptoms are associated with perimenopause that marks the onset of menopause. As frustrating as this could be, there is no means to avoid it. At such junctures, the only question that constantly prevails in our minds is ‘How long does menopause last?’ The answer to this cannot be given in a single line due to the complexity that surrounds the issue. However, a deeper understanding of the issue would help attain clarity.
What is menopause?
Menopause marks the stage in a woman’s life where she stops menstruating and is no longer fertile. Perimenopause denotes the period of 3-5 years that precedes menopause. During perimenopause, the estrogen levels in the body begin to lower.
Sings and Symptoms of Menopause and Peri-menopause
Menopause and Perimenopause have similar symptoms and it is often confusing to determine which one of them a woman is going through. According to experts’ opinion, menopause is confirmed only when there is no occurrence of menses for a period 12 months. Nevertheless, the symptoms begin even before completion of 12 months. Listed below are a few symptoms that are common during both Peri menopause and menopause:
- Low fertility
- Irregular periods
- Hot Flashes
- Dryness of the Vagina
- Night Sweats
- Disturbed Sleep
- Mood Swings
- Hair Loss
- Urinary Problems
How long does Menopause last?
There are numerous factors that affect menopause such as genetic conditions, lifestyle and the age at which a woman attained her puberty. These factors play a vital role in the duration of menopause. Menopause starts and ends at different ages for every woman depending on the above mentioned factors. For some women, it lasts only for 3-4 years while for a few others, it might last as long as 7-10 years. Let us say that if a woman had attained puberty at the age of 13, then there are many chances that she experiences menopause at an early stage. For some women, the age at which their mothers experienced menopause can also be a deciding factor.
Considering the above mentioned facts, the only answer available to the question ‘How long does menopause last?’ is: There is no fixed duration for menopause. All one can do to escape the discomforts is introduce few lifestyle changes such as indulging in regular physical activities, following a healthy sleep routine, trying herbal supplements and a well balanced diet. If further complications exist, it is always advisable to consult your physician.
































