Q: When does menopause begin and how long does it last??

A: Dear Carol,

We hear the expressions, "the average age" or "the normal age" when, in fact, as I say in Power Surge, "the only consistent thing about menopause is that it's consistently INconsistent. Every woman is different. For those statistic lovers, the average age for menopause is 51.4 years of age.

However, average doesn't mean normal. Every woman is different. What's normal for one woman isn't for another. Your body should be your best gauge as to where you are in the menopause process. Menopause occuring naturally -- and by naturally, I mean, with no hysterectomy or other female surgery which precipitates menopause, or chemotherapy, which can affect menopause as well, a woman can begin experiencing perimenopause symptoms (I use this word for convenience, as menopause is not an illness) as early as their late 30's. Others not until they're 50. If you feel you're in menopause, you probably are, despite the fact that your doctor tells you, "You're too young to be in menopause." It's wise to see your gynecologist for a series of saliva or blood tests to determine your hormone levels and approximately where your body is in this process.

Best,
Dearest
Power Surge Founder
www.power-surge.com

Information provided by Dearest is general in nature and should not be construed as a substitute for a visit to and examination by your own health care practitioner.
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