A very common question I get from my patients all the time is:
“When does the menopause finish? “
The reason why many women want to know I suppose is because if you are experiencing symptoms and you have decided not to take anything for them , it is easier to cope if you have en endpoint in mind.
The reality is that menopause does not finish. The definition if menopause is the period of your life from when the ovaries stop working until you actually die. Very commonly patients confuse this concept with the symptoms of perimenopause that come with this transition like for example hot flushes and night sweats. These symptoms will end at some stage but it is hard to predict when as they can last up to 10 years.
What is important to understand is that the actual menopause and the lack of oestrogen associated with that will last forever. The lack of oestrogen will have effects on your bones causing bone thinning and in some cases osteoporosis. It will also cause an increase in your cardiovascular risk. Finally it will have profound effect on your vagina and bladder causing symptoms that can be very distressing for patients.
You need to get proper information on menopause to decide what kind of quality of life you want to have in this important stage of your life.