Your GP can usually tell you whether you’re approaching menopause based on your symptoms, which might include irregular periods, hot flushes, mood swings, and more. They will also consider your age when figuring it out. However, no one knows your body better than you and some people are wrongly diagnosed with conditions like depression, when in fact they are simply entering this next phase of life.

In the UK, the average age that people reach menopause, which is the actual point where you stop getting periods for more than a year, is 51. But perimenopause, the period of time leading to menopause starts years before that. During perimenopause you may also experience menopause symptoms with different severity. 

There’s also chemical menopause that can be caused by medications at any age. And if your ovaries where removed, you’ll experience the menopause immediately after your operation, regardless of your age, it is called surgical menopause. 

Sometimes your doctor might suggest a blood test to measure your hormone levels, to confirm that you’re approaching menopause. It usually isn’t needed, though—they can usually figure it out from your symptoms alone. 

The test measures levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are higher during menopause. You might be offered a test if you’re younger than 45 and have menopausal symptoms. Your doctor will advise if the test is right for you.

Everyone goes through menopause in their own way, and how they feel will depend on which symptoms they’re experiencing. 

For example, some people experience low mood, irritability, or anxiety. You might also feel tired or find it harder to concentrate. 

Physical symptoms can also have a knock-on effect on mood. Hot flushes and night sweats might make it harder to sleep, while dealing with changes to your body (dry skin, changes in weight and libido) can impact how you feel in yourself.  

Remember that you aren’t alone, and help is available for managing your symptoms. You can browse our menopause courses or products to discover natural solutions that are rooted in science, and connect with our community of people going through the same thing.

The age you experience menopause mostly depends on your family history (when did your mother or grandmother reach it?), and unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to change that. 

There are some studies looking into whether diet and lifestyle factors can delay menopause, but the science here isn’t solid enough for us to say for sure.

The jury is also still out on whether it’s beneficial to delay menopause, if it were possible. So, the best thing you can do is manage your symptoms and take care of yourself—and there are options available that can help.

This varies, but on average, perimenopause starts in your 40s. Menopause is the actual moment when you stop having periods altogether. While perimenopause, the time leading up to that point, is the bit where you get menopausal symptoms.

The average age of menopause in the UK is 51, but it’s possible to get it when you’re older or younger. Generally speaking, reaching menopause between the ages of 45-55 is considered “normal”. But remember that perimenopause, the bit where you get menopausal symptoms can start even in your 30s, although on average, perimenopause starts in your 40s.

About 5% of people with wombs will experience menopause before they’re 45, which is known as early menopause. 

Menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause. It affects 1% of people with wombs under 40 and 0.1% under the age of 30. This happens when the ovaries stop producing eggs much earlier than they usually would. 

Having a hysterectomy or undergoing cancer treatments at any age can also bring on early menopause.