What every woman should know about menopause
Menopause is the point twelve months after your last period; in the US it happens on average around 51. The years before it, called perimenopause, often start in the 40s and can bring irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes, brain fog and joint aches. Log your symptoms and discuss them with a clinician; many options exist, and the choice is personal.
Why it matters: Knowing the signs means you can name what is happening and ask for help early.
Steps
- Keep a simple log of periods, hot flashes, sleep, mood and any other change for two to three months.
- Rate how much each symptom affects work, sleep and relationships.
- Book a visit and bring the log, saying clearly that you think you may be in perimenopause.
- Ask what options exist for the symptoms that bother you most, and the benefits and risks of each for you.
- Ask about bone and heart health checks, since both change after menopause.
- Tell someone you trust what you are going through; it makes asking for support easier.
Stop and call a professional if
- you have any bleeding after twelve months without a period
- periods become very heavy, very frequent, or come with bleeding between them
- low mood becomes persistent or you have thoughts of harming yourself: call or text 988 in the US
Questions to ask the professional
- Could my symptoms be perimenopause, and is anything else worth ruling out?
- What are my options, and what are the benefits and risks for someone with my history?
- Should my bone density or heart checks change now?
Common mistakes
- Assuming you are too young for perimenopause in your early 40s.
- Putting up with severe symptoms because they are natural.
- Starting products sold online without discussing them with a clinician.
- Forgetting that pregnancy is still possible until twelve months without a period.
Teach this to someone
A one page sheet for showing a friend, a teenager or a parent: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: What every woman should know about menopause
What to say
Menopause is the point twelve months after your last period; in the US it happens on average around 51. The years before it, called perimenopause, often start in the 40s and can bring irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, mood changes, brain fog and joint aches. Log your symptoms and discuss them with a clinician; many options exist, and the choice is personal.
What to show
- Keep a simple log of periods, hot flashes, sleep, mood and any other change for two to three months.
- Rate how much each symptom affects work, sleep and relationships.
- Book a visit and bring the log, saying clearly that you think you may be in perimenopause.
- Ask what options exist for the symptoms that bother you most, and the benefits and risks of each for you.
- Ask about bone and heart health checks, since both change after menopause.
- Tell someone you trust what you are going through; it makes asking for support easier.
Where it stops
Stop and call a professional if you have any bleeding after twelve months without a period.
Check question
When is menopause reached?
Answer: Twelve months after the last period. Menopause is defined as twelve months with no period.
Your checklist
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Quick quiz
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Related skills
Sources
- US clinical guidance on menopause for patients, 2026. Reviewed September 28, 2026.
Written in our own words from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for your situation; where a professional, your doctor or your lease says something different, follow them.
Last reviewed . First published .