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[KarineT]

Hi everyone,

Views about the time it takes to reach the
menopause differ.

When I was speaking to a gyneacologist who knows about the menopause, I was told that it takes 12 months without a period to reach it, which I believe is correct.  Then a menopause specialist at A. Vogel believes it's 2 years.  Could it be that it's 1 year for some women and 2 for others?  It's controversial.

Did it take 1 year or 2 for any of you?  Of course, you couldn't tell if you're on HRT so I'd like to hear from ladies who didn't go on HRT.

Thanks

[Taz2]

Do you mean post menopause? Post menopause is when you've not had a natural period for twelve months if you are over 50 but, I think, it's two years if you are under 50 without a natural period.  You can then safely ditch contraception and know that you are post Meno

Taz x

[KarineT]

Yes.  I mean postmenopause. 

Why is it 2 years if you under 50?  I will be 50 in October this year and I haven't had a period since since January this year. I hope it will be over in February next year.

[Taz2]

Under 50 the ovaries can have one last fling. Quite a few women get caught out in this way and find themselves with an unexpected pregnancy in their late forties

I guess that if your periods don't return then you should still continue to use contraception when necessary until the two years are up but obviously that's up to you. Once you are post-meno symptoms (if you get any) can continue to worsen for up to two years but then begin to settle down. Everyone is different though.

Taz x 🙂

[CLKD]

Menopause does what it says: it's cessation of periods.  For ever.  Once in menopause that's it.

Occasionally the ovaries have a surge in peri-menopause: the years prior to stopping periods.

What's your worry. There really is no time line.

[Hurdity]

Hi KarineT

As CLKD says, menopause is the last ever period, but can only ever be determined in retrospect and never, if you start HRT while still peri-menopausal and continue taking it through the transition and beyond.

The question is then, at what point can you say you have reached menopause? How long do you wait? The age that women reach this point is obviously variable, as is the pattern of cycles leading up to the last period.

Just to add that for contraceptive purposes, exactly as Taz says, the rule is you wait two years if under 50 and one year if over 50 for the reasons she says.

However for the purposes of post-menopausal bleeding and the trigger for investigation, it is set at 12 months for everyone (it used to be 2 years for under 50 but was changed).This is to ensure that any potential cases of cancer (or womb thickening that could lead to cancer) are not missed in women under 50.

That's it really. These are arbitrary dates set for specific reasons and to take into account what might happen. Many women will experience a natural period after the 12 months time has elapsed but all will be investigated if bleeding is reported.

The definitions are explained here:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/menopause.php

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[CLKD]