Quiz: When it comes to menopause, what’s ‘normal’?

A woman is “in menopause” when she is no longer experiencing a menstrual period or spotting. A consistent absence of periods for 12 consecutive months indicates that you have been through menopause. After 12 consecutive months with no period, this is referred to as “postmenopause.” The other symptoms listed often start during perimenopause — when your hormones begin changing before your periods stop.

The average amount of time a woman spends in the transition from perimenopause to menopause is 3 to 5 years — but whatever your body does is normal. Some women only have symptoms for a few months. For others, they last a decade. You can expect perimenopause to begin in your 40s; for some, it may be in your late 30s.

The average U.S. woman is 52 when she enters menopause. However, it’s normal for a woman to enter menopause anytime during her late 40s to 50s.

Medical conditions, genetics, surgeries or medical treatments can cause some women to enter menopause earlier. A woman who enters menopause in her 20s or 30s is said to have “premature” menopause. Between 40 and 45 is considered “early” menopause. Doctors may recommend menopause hormone therapy (formerly known as hormone replacement therapy) to these women to help them reduce health risks.

Some 80% of U.S. women going through perimenopause or menopause report hot flashes — a sudden feeling of heat in the body, lasting roughly 1 to 5 minutes. Women may feel clammy, sweaty, or even “on fire,” and have chills, flushed and blotchy skin, anxiety or a faster heartbeat. About a third of women have more than 10 hot flashes a day. (At night, they’re called “night sweats.”)

Almost every woman in menopause will experience at least one symptom like those listed. In one study, women reported having an average of six symptoms. Your symptoms might change from month to month or year to year. Women in perimenopause are more likely to report mood symptoms, and those who are post-menopause are more likely to report vaginal dryness.

Some recent studies show that hot flashes can continue for up to 14 years after a woman has entered menopause, and some women have hot flashes into their 60s and 70s. However, lifestyle changes, hormonal therapy and/or nonhormonal medications can help you manage hot flashes.

Meditation and moderate-intensity exercise have actually been shown to improve menopause symptoms, including hot flashes.

Each woman experiences menopause differently. Variables include genetics, weight and whether or not you’ve given birth. Race and ethnicity can make a difference too: Black women are more likely than white women to enter menopause early and experience more symptoms. Hispanic women have fewer hot flashes than Black women. Asian women are less likely to experience hot flashes and symptoms. Also, women who smoke are more likely to have severe menopause symptoms. Since each woman’s symptoms are different, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” treatment.

Menopause hormone therapy (MHT) is more than a tablet or cream, and it is definitely not one-size-fits-all. MHT can be just estrogen-based, or it can include progestin. MHT can be delivered systemically through the bloodstream or locally to the area where you’re having symptoms. There are all kinds of ways to customize MHT based on your individual health risks, symptoms and preferences. There are also non-hormonal treatments like medication and lifestyle changes that you can try.

Menopause is a natural developmental stage, just like puberty — and like puberty, you can’t stop it from happening. But if symptoms are making your life difficult, there are lifestyle changes, hormonal therapies and medications that might help — and they should be personalized to you. Get the expert, individualized menopause care you deserve. Click here to learn more.