Menopause is a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. It is officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.

What are the common symptoms of menopause?

Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and changes in sexual desire. These symptoms vary in intensity and duration among individuals.

When does menopause usually occur?

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age being 51. However, it can happen earlier or later for some women.

How is menopause diagnosed?

Menopause is primarily diagnosed based on a woman's menstrual history, specifically 12 consecutive months without a period. Blood tests measuring hormone levels, such as FSH, may sometimes be used to support the diagnosis, especially in women with atypical symptoms or who have undergone certain medical procedures.

What are the treatment options for menopausal symptoms?

Treatment options for menopausal symptoms include lifestyle modifications, non-hormonal therapies, and hormone therapy. The best approach depends on the individual's symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences, and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Knowledge Graph · Condition

Menopause

The permanent cessation of menstruation, typically confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a period.

Authoritative sources

Evidence base

Position Statement · 2022 · Landmark
The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
Menopause · The NAMS 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement Advisory Panel
The most-cited modern clinical guideline: for most women in early menopause with bothersome symptoms, the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks.
Systematic Review · 2022 · Landmark
Menopause and Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder: A Systematic Review
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery · Kingston K, Curry EJ, Galvin JW, Li X.
A systematic review linking estrogen loss during menopause to a higher rate of frozen shoulder, and cautiously suggesting HRT may help.
Randomized Controlled Trial · 2016 · Landmark
Vascular Effects of Early versus Late Postmenopausal Treatment with Estradiol
New England Journal of Medicine · Hodis HN, Mack WJ, Henderson VW, et al. (ELITE Trial)
This trial provided direct evidence for the "timing hypothesis": starting HRT early in menopause protects arteries, while starting it late does not.
Randomized Controlled Trial · 2015 · Landmark
Effects of Hormone Therapy on Cognition and Mood in Recently Postmenopausal Women
PLoS Medicine · Gleason CE, Dowling NM, Wharton W, et al. (KEEPS Cognitive and Affective Study)
When hormone therapy is started early in menopause, it does not appear to harm memory or thinking, and may improve mood.
Randomized Controlled Trial · 2002 · Landmark
Risks and Benefits of Estrogen Plus Progestin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
JAMA · Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. (Writing Group for the Women's Health Initiative)
The Women's Health Initiative was the landmark trial that reshaped how doctors prescribe hormone therapy after menopause. Later re-analyses showed the risk profile is very different for women who start HRT closer to menopause.
Systematic Review · 2025
The AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
The Journal of urology · Kaufman MR, Ackerman AL, Amin KA, Coffey M, et al.
Meta-Analysis · 2025
Effects of Exercise Training on Mitochondrial and Capillary Growth in Human Skeletal Muscle: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression
Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · Mølmen KS, Almquist NW, Skattebo Ø
Systematic Review · 2024
A systematic review and critical appraisal of menopause guidelines
BMJ sexual & reproductive health · Hemachandra C, Taylor S, Islam RM, Fooladi E, et al.
Systematic Review · 2024
Nutritional interventions in treating menopause-related sleep disturbances: a systematic review
Nutrition reviews · Polasek D, Santhi N, Alfonso-Miller P, Walshe IH, et al.
Meta-Analysis · 2023
Exercise training and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies with emphasis on potential moderators
Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · Mohebbi R, Shojaa M, Kohl M, von Stengel S, et al.
Systematic Review · 2023
Does menopause elevate the risk for developing depression and anxiety? Results from a systematic review
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists · Alblooshi S, Taylor M, Gill N
Randomized Controlled Trial · 2023
Fezolinetant for treatment of moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (SKYLIGHT 1): a phase 3 randomised controlled study
Lancet (London, England) · Lederman S, Ottery FD, Cano A, Santoro N, et al.
Randomized Controlled Trial · 2023
Efficacy and Safety of Fezolinetant in Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause: A Phase 3 RCT
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · Johnson KA, Martin N, Nappi RE, Neal-Perry G, et al.
Systematic Review · 2021
Cardiovascular Changes in Menopause
Current cardiology reviews · Nair AR, Pillai AJ, Nair N

Where Menopause appears on Kindr Health

Data hub

Menopause Statisticsprimary topic

Guide

Wiki

Journal

This page is part of Kindr Health's public Knowledge Graph. Content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.