From hot flushes and difficulty sleeping, to frequent low moods and depressive or anxious symptoms, the process of going through menopause, or ‘perimenopause’, sees your body go through significant hormonal changes that disrupt and affect everyday life. For many women going through menopause, a frequently asked question is simply – how long will this last?
Modality LLP have years of experience providing menopause care for women in the UK. In this article, we discuss the expected duration of menopause to offer guidance and peace of mind for those experiencing it.
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Menopause Vs Perimenopause: What’s the Difference?
Although both these terms are frequently used when discussing this topic, they refer to different stages of hormonal change.
Perimenopause is the name given to the period between starting menopause, and reaching the end of menopause, which only occurs after a woman has not experienced a menstrual cycle for 12 months in a row.
Menopause, in comparison, refers to the time period when women have reached the end of this transition and no longer show perimenopausal symptoms; vitally, they will have not had a menstrual cycle for 12 months in a row. Only then, have you reached what professionals refer to as ‘menopause’.
Common Symptoms of Perimenopause
During perimenopause, the ovaries start to reduce production of oestrogen and eggs, until it stops completely, thus bringing an end to a woman’s monthly menstrual cycles. A lot of the symptoms that are most strongly associated with menopause, actually happen during perimenopause, as the body adjusts to the low hormone levels through exacerbated physical symptoms.
How Long Does Menopause Take?
Hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, headaches and night sweats are just some of the physical symptoms that women experience during perimenopause. They are caused because of the absence of oestrogen in the body, and the resulting symptoms can last for up to 10 years.
Average Length of Perimenopause
Reports state that the menopause can last anything between two years, and fourteen years, however the average length of menopause is around seven years. Calculating how long menopause lasts depends on several factors, including your medical history, family genetics, general health, weight, age and lifestyle.
Factors Affecting How Long Menopause Takes
Some of the most important factors that determine the length of menopause include:
- Existing health conditions
- Previous medical history
- Genetics
- Age you start showing symptoms
- Your general fitness and mobility
- Alcohol use
- Sleeping patterns
- Diet
- Lifestyle
Although these are some of the considerations to think about when predicting your own journey with menopause, it can be hard to know exactly how long you will go through menopause. Every woman's journey is different, which is why there are dedicated specialists working around the country to help women manage menopausal symptoms and put coping strategies in place.
How Long Can Symptoms Last?
Perimenopausal symptoms can typically last up to four or five years, because your body needs to adjust to the change in hormone levels. Symptoms of the menopause tend to be more mild when they first appear and become more noticeable over time. However, this does not last forever! Both physical and emotional symptoms reduce towards the end of menopause, becoming less intense, and less frequent, until menstrual bleeding is absent for 12 consecutive months in a row.
Getting Advice and Support For Your Menopausal Symptoms
Both the NHS and private healthcare providers offer specialist support, as will a gynaecologist through Modality LLP. Whichever route you choose, a dedicated medical professional will be able to test you for menopause, and discuss your symptoms at length. For some women, menopause can present itself through physical and emotional symptoms that make day-to-day life very hard. Menopause can put a strain on your personal, family and work relationships, and can result in difficulty at work, home and in social settings.
Research, education and support for menopausal women and their loved ones is available through the NHS, support groups, and non-profit organisations, as well as Modality LLP. We can provide you with resources and connect you with our specialist services for menopause, including experienced specialists.
Talking About Menopause With Loved Ones
It’s best to talk to those close to you about how you are feeling, and how the perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms are affecting you. As the process can take so long, many women live with the symptoms of menopause for years at a time.
If you or someone you love is going through menopause and needs to talk to a professional, don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to a friendly member of the Modality team. We’re here to help and we’d love to hear from you.
