Menopause

Menopause

“You have reached menopause if you haven’t had
a menstrual period for 12 months. It’s a good idea to
start tracking your menstrual periods when they…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Change of Life
  • Crash Menopause
  • Early Menopause
  • Going Through the Menopause
  • Induced Menopause
  • Menopausal/Menopause Transition
  • Menopause
  • Natural Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Postmenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Second Half of Your Life
  • Surgical Menopause
  • The Change
  • The Change of Life
  • The Time of Life
  • The Menopause Years
  • The Menopause-Related Years
  • The Three Stages of Menopause

Menopause Definition

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. In Menopause: Overview the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention”.2

On page four in Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Definitions – Menopause the definition used by the International Menopause Society is:

“Menopause – the last day of a woman’s last period ever”.3

In Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) include:

“You have reached menopause if you haven’t had a period for 12 months.

It’s a good idea to start tracking your periods when they start changing, so you know when 12 months have passed since you last had a period”.4 

Perimenopause Definition

What is perimenopause?

DotS the definition of perimenopause may vary. In Menopause: What Is  Perimenopause? the JH’s definition is:

“Perimenopause refers to the time from when your menstrual periods start changing, or you start having menopausal symptoms, to one year after your final menstrual period (menopause).

Some people use the word ‘menopause’ to cover the whole transition from perimenopause to postmenopause”.5

Age

Between what ages do most women experience menopause?

In Menopause: Key Facts, dated 24 October 2024, the WHO note:

  • “Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years as a natural part of biological ageing”.6

Different Differences

Do all women experience the same menopause?

No. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Different women experience different symptoms, at different times, in different ways, of different intensity, for different lengths of time.

Lifestyle MedicineMenopause

What does lifestyle medicine in menopause care include?

In The Role of Lifestyle Medicine In Menopausal Health: A Review of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions – Abstract: Objective, dated 12 September 2025, the authors explain:

“Lifestyle medicine – encompassing healthy eating, physical activity, mental well-being, avoidance of risky substances, restorative sleep and healthy relationships – offers a promising non-pharmacological strategy to optimize health during this period”.7

Hormone Therapy

How effective is hormone therapy (HT) for the treatment of menopause symptoms?

On page one in The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy, published October 2024, the Menopause Society note:

“Hormone therapy remains first-line therapy for management of bothersome vasomotor symptoms, and the benefits typically outweigh the risks for most healthy women when initiated younger than age 60 years or within 10 years of menopause onset with appropriate counseling.

Hormone therapy is indicated for the treatment of bothersome vasomotor symptoms,
genitourinary syndrome of menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, and prevention of bone loss and reduction of fracture risk”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my menopause?

If you would like help with your menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

“Talk to your doctor if you:

  • Are younger than 45 and your periods are irregular or have stopped
  • Have symptoms that are interfering with your daily activities, including exercise, work, your relationships or your quality of life
  • Are worried about your emotional or mental health
  • Have not had a period for 12 months, and you then have a period or bleeding from the vagina”.9

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your healthcare professional about your choices and the risks and benefits of each. Review your choices yearly. Your needs and the treatment choices may change”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. A Man’s Guide To Menopause
  2. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  3. Ask Early Menopause [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. Beyond Symptoms: Understanding the Diverse Realities of Menopause Worldwide
  5. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  6. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  7. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes | Information Sheet
  8. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms | Fact Sheet
  9. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Us
  12. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause & Work Conversations Episode 4 | Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Gynaecology & Psychiatry
  13. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
  14. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Sleep Disturbances In Menopause
  15. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Thermoregulation
  16. Find A Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  17. Find A Menopause Practitioner [The Menopause Society: United States and Other]
  18. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  19. First Symptoms of Menopause
  20. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  21. Glossary of Terms
  22. Guidelines and Education: EMAS Menopause Essentials [60 Fact Sheets Updated By the European Menopause and Andropause Society]Menopause
  23. HRT Questions Answered
  24. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  25. Health.gov.au/perimenopause [Australia]
  26. ‘Healthy Menopause’: The European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) 2026 Framework for Precision, Digital, and Interdisciplinary Midlife Health [September 2026]
    Menopause
  27. Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
  28. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): A Summary
  29. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  30. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
  31. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  32. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Menopause]
  33. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  34. MS and Menopause
  35. Management of Perimenopausal and Menopausal Symptoms
  36. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  37. Menopausal Symptom Treatments
  38. Menopause
    Menopause
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
    Menopause
  43. Menopause
    Menopause
  44. Menopause 101
  45. Menopause Basics
  46. Menopause Definitions
  47. Menopause Information Hub
  48. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  50. Menopause on the Brain: Your Questions About Mental Health and Cognition Answered
  51. Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  52. Menopause and MS [Multiply Sclerosis]
  53. Menopause and Mental Health
  54. Menopause – Is It Really A Pause To Health?
  55. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  56. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  57. Menopause: How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  58. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  59. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Menopause
  60. Menopause: Multiply Languages
  61. Menopause: Your Choice of Language
  62. Menstrual Calendar
  63. Midlife Health
  64. Monitoring Menopause Symptoms
  65. Mood and the Menopause
  66. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  67. National Women’s Health Week [10 – 16 May 2026]
  68. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Menopause
  69. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  70. Navigating Menopause: Sex, Relationships and Well-Being
  71. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Weight, Wellness, and Women At Midlife: Rethinking Obesity In the Menopause Transition
  72. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  73. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Diagnosis of Menopause, Including Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10
  74. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Evidence-Based Management of Vasomotor Symptoms
  75. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Lifestyle, Diet, Exercise
  76. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  77. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2026: New IMS Recommendations: Sexuality and Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  78. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  79. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Menopause
  80. Perimenopause and Menopause Toolkit
  81. Perimenopause and Menopause: Your Questions Answered
  82. Prioritizing Care During Midlife: Personal, Professional, and Health Care Strategies for Women
  83. Q&A: What To Know When Treating Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ Patients During Menopause
  84. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  85. Surprising Menopause Symptoms | Dr Louise Newson Live
  86. Testosterone Use In Menopausal Women
  87. Testosterone for Women? What the Expert Says
  88. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Cardiovascular Health
  89. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Sexual Desire
  90. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Weight Gain
  91. Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause With Dr Ramya Raman
  92. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  93. When You Should See A Doctor About Menopause (or Perimenopause) Symptoms
  94. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause
  95. Why Men Need To Understand The Menopause & Women’s Hormones | Dr Louise Newson
  96. Why Menopause Care Is A Perfect Time To Discuss Lifestyle
  97. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Menopause Menopause
  98. World Menopause Day 2026 [18 October 2026]
    Menopause
  99. Your Daily Dose: Let’s Unpack Menopause
  100. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Here’s What To Know

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-how-do-you-know-if-youve-reached-menopause Accessed: 29 July 2026
  2. Menopause: Overview. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 29 July 2026
  3. Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Definitions – Menopause. Page 4. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMS-English-Factsheet-4-glossary.pdf Accessed: 29 July 2026
  4. Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-how-do-you-know-if-youve-reached-menopause Accessed: 29 July 2026
  5. Menopause: What Is Perimenopause?  Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-what-is-perimenopause Accessed: 15 July 2026
  6. Menopause. Key Facts. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 29 July 2026
  7. Anewke CV, Cano A, Mulligan J, et al. 12 September 2025:1. The Role of Lifestyle Medicine In Menopausal Health: A Review of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions – Abstract: Objective. 2025:1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2025.2548806 Accessed: 29 May 2026
  8. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy. 2024:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TMS-statement-on-HT-Misinformation.pdf Accessed: 29 July 2026
  9. Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 29 July 2026
  10. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 09 July 2026. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 29 July 2026
Topic Last Updated: 29 September 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 29 July 2026

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