15/10/2025
Did you know menopause is actually a single point in time!
I know that there’s a lot of confusion about the specific phases of menopause, and we often use the term ‘menopause’ to describe the entire menopause transition, which can span decades.
So, I thought a post providing some definitions of each phase might help provide some clarity.
Please note this may not apply to someone who did not have a naturally occurring menopause.
Perimenopause
The time when hormones begin to fluctuate and predictable menstrual cycles cease. It typically occurs in your 40s but can be earlier, and can last for many years.
The fluctuating hormones create lots of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats, anxiety and many more. The good news is perimenopause is temporary.
Menopause
Menopause is actually a single day! We hear it used to describe a season, but it actually refers to a single point in time.
The clinical definition of menopause is actually the point in time exactly 1 year following the final menstrual period.
The onset of natural menopause (not caused by surgery, medication or disease) occurs between the ages of 40 and 58. The average age in Australia and the US is 52.
Post-Menopause
Post-menopause is the time after the menopause. If we had our last menstrual period 13 months ago, we are post-menopausal. Menopause symptoms can continue for many years during the post-menopause phase, but they are less erratic than during peri-menopause and eventually plateau. Many women will spend 40% of their lives post menopause.
