Approx. how long does menopause last?

The vast majority of women will experience their menopause in a 2 to 10 year window of time, probably from their mid-forties to their mid-fifties.

Menopause itself (the time your period stops and the symptoms you experience after) can last ten years.

My mom had menopause at 53. She had hot flashes for ten years.

Peri-menopause, the period of time where you have symptoms leading up to menopause (such as period changes, change in appetite, depression, and others) can last anywhere from ten to fifteen years. I started experiencing that at age 44.

Although many women believe that menopause is a long span of years, it is actually a point in time. You "reach" menopause when an entire 12 months have passed without a menstrual cycle. A year later, you're considered post menopausal.

Perimenopause defines the years leading to actual menopause and can begin in your mid 30's. Since the average age of menopause is 51, many women experience "the change" for 10-15 years. It can be a long, challenging journey but it's also an exciting time of life, rich with opportunities for positive change.

Hope that helps!

Michelle