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Between the ages of 48 and 55 years most women experience changes to their body that can be associated with menopause, which is literally the very last menstrual period in a woman's life.
Menopause may be part of a number of adjustments that women experience at midlife. At the same time a woman is beginning to experience signs and symptoms of menopause, she is usually approaching her fifties. Managing menopause can take place amidst changing family roles, looking after aging parents, thinking about retirement and wondering what she will do with the rest of her life.
For some women however, menopause may occur at an earlier age. Early menopause (also known as premature menopause) affects almost 10 per cent of women under the age of forty - with some being diagnosed in their twenties, or even their late teens. Surgical menopause is when the ovaries are removed at surgery prior to natural menopause, (also known as oophorectomy).
Definition of Menopause
- Menopause is a natural event that is said to have occurred when a woman has not menstruated naturally for 12 consecutive months.
- Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 48 and 55.
- Among Australian women, the average age is about 51 to 52 years.
- A few women experience menopause much earlier and others may still be menstruating in their late fifties.
 Menopause Fact Sheet (96.21 KB) ~  Menopause (5.5 MB)
Emotional Health at Midlife and Menopause Fact Sheet (65.25 KB)
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For information on available activities go to Online GP & HP Education
Further Resources
Why me? Menopause DVD
Content Updated November 26, 2009 |
