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). 

2008 - Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and breast cancer study – recent Australian research

Comments from researchers at the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health

Introduction

The Foundation strongly advocates that women and health professionals take a balanced, evidence-based and informed approach to health. All risks and benefits should be taken into perspective when considering the use of HRT for menopausal symptom relief.

For example, having more than two standard drinks per day, being overweight or obese, having your first child over the age of 35 or going into menopause at a later age are higher risk factors for breast cancer than taking HRT.

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Content Updated June 03, 2008

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)

More Fact Sheets...  

Professional Development Activities

Free, online Active Learning Modules

Weighing up the Evidence for Prescribing Hormone Therapy (HT) - currently under review  
Osteoporosis: Under-diagnosed and under-treated - currently under review

For information on available activities go to Online GP & HP Education

WISDOM: HT beyond menopause

Following confirmatory studies, women have again been advised not to start hormone therapy in their older age, many years beyond menopause. Another large study to report on hormone therapy use in older women, the WISDOM study published 12 July, has confirmed that combined oestrogen and progestin results in a small increase in the risk of heart attacks and blood clots.
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Further Resources

Why me? Menopause DVD