what age do you go through menopause

Menopause is the time that marks the end of menstrual cycles. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in a womans 40s or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States and the UK. However, some women may experience menopause in their 30s or 60s. The menopausal transition, also known as perimenopause, usually begins between ages 45 and 55 and can last about seven years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity. During perimenopause, the bodys production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones made by the ovaries, varies greatly. While the menopausal transition may commonly be referred to as "menopause," true menopause doesnt happen until one year after a woman’s final menstrual period.