What Is Menopause & What Are Its Stages?

Menopause is a natural life stage and a natural part of ageing that affects females. There are various stages of menopause, and combined, these can span over many years.

Here, we explain what menopause is, when it occurs and how long it goes on for.

What is menopause?

Menopause is a natural life stage that affects anyone who has periods. It marks the end of the menstruating years and is triggered by changing levels of hormones in the body.

What are the three main stages of menopause?

There are three natural life stages of menopause: perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. During these stages the ovaries produce less oestrogen and progesterone, the key hormones involved in the menstrual cycle.

Stage 1 - what is perimenopause?

The first of the menopause life stages is perimenopause and it can occur several years before menopause itself, however the age at which females begin perimenopause can vary greatly. During this stage of menopause, menstrual cycles are still present however they may become less regular as the ovaries gradually start to produce less oestrogen and progesterone. In the final year or two of perimenopause, levels of these hormones drop significantly. Perimenopause continues until menopause itself, which is when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and periods have completely stopped. During perimenopause, it is still possible to get pregnant as menstrual cycles are still occuring.

Stage 2 - menopause

Perimenopause ends and menopause officially begins when a female hasn’t had a period for 12 months. At this point, the ovaries have stopped producing most of their oestrogen. Menopause can occur naturally or due to various factors such as surgical procedures like oophorectomy (ovary removal) or hysterectomy (uterus removal),, or genetic predispositions.

Stage 3 - what is postmenopause?

Postmenopause is the stage after a female has undergone 12 consecutive months without a period. This stage continues for the rest of a female’s life.

During postmenopause, a female’s ovaries are still producing oestrogen and progesterone, but in very, very small amounts.

What causes menopause?

Menopause occurs naturally with age, when a female’s ovaries start to produce less of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This decline in hormones triggers perimenopause and then eventually, menopause itself.

What’s the average age of menopause in the UK?

In the UK, menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. The average age that a female reaches menopause is 51, though this timing can differ significantly from one woman to another.

When does menopause start?

Perimenopause, the first stage of menopause, often occurs in the mid to late forties, but it can vary. The process goes on for several years before menopause itself and again varies from one woman to another. Certain factors may trigger perimenopause to occur sooner including a family history of early menopause and surgery that removes the uterus or ovaries.

How long does menopause last?

Typically, perimenopause occurs three to five years before menopause itself. However it can occur up to a decade before menopause, when the ovaries start to produce less oestrogen. Postmenopause then continues for the rest of a female’s life, once the menopause stage of having no period for 12 consecutive months has passed..

What signals the end of menopause?

Menopause occurs when a female doesn’t experience a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months. Postmenopause marks the end of menopause, and refers to the time after this 12 months.

What are our best menopause supplements?

The Vitabiotics range of menopause supplements contains nutrients to support a female’s body throughout this natural life stage. Menopace is a range of comprehensive supplements formulated to be taken during and after the menopause. Menopace Original contains 22 nutrients scientifically formulated to be taken during and after this period of change. This includes vitamin B6 which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity, vitamin B12 which contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system, and thiamin (vitamin B1) which contributes to the normal function of the heart. Plus vitamin C which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin and , bones

Menopace Plus offers the same nutrients formulation as Original, along with active botanicals including sage and green tea extract. While Menopace Max offers the highest level of nutritional support in the Menopace range with calcium for the maintenance of normal bones and the benefit of Red Clover extracts, with four highly-researched Isoflavones.

Menopace Night, Menopace Calcium and Menopace Red Clover also offer comprehensive support for specific requirements.

Discover more around our full range of menopause supplements here.