what age does menopause start

Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a womans last period. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause. Perimenopause usually begins about eight to 10 years before menopause and can start as early as the mid-30s or as late as the mid-50s. The average age for menopause is around 51 in the United States, but some women experience menopause in their 40s, and a small percentage experience signs of menopause earlier. The duration of the menopausal transition can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity.