Menopause Stages

The three stages most commonly associated with menopause are perimenopause (before menopause), menopause and postmenopause (after menopause).

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Stages Umbrella include?

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

  • Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Postmenopause

Three Stages

What are the three stages most commonly associated with menopause?

DotS the three stages commonly associated with menopause are:

  • Perimenopause (before Menopause)
  • Menopause
  • Postmenopause (after Menopause)

Perimenopause

What is perimenopause?

DotS the definition of perimenopause may vary. In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions, published online 30 October 2023, the definition of perimenopause is:

  • “Perimenopause is the time from the onset of cycle irregularity through until 12 months after the final menstrual period”.1

Menopause

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. 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 

Postmenopause

What is postmenopause?

DotS the definition of postmenopause may vary.  In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions, published online 30 October 2023, the definition of postmenopause is:

  • “Postmenopause starts 12 months after the final menstrual period”.3

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my stage of menopause?

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

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“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”.4

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Stages?

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Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions. Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 25 February 2026
  2. Menopause: How Menopause Occurs. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 25 February 2026
  3. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions. Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 25 February 2026
  4. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 25 February 2026
Topic Last Updated: 25 February 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 25 February 2026

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