Menopause
What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as a woman’s final menstrual period, confirmed once 12 months have passed without a period. It occurs when reproductive hormone levels decline and the ovaries stop releasing eggs, marking the end of the menstrual cycle and natural reproductive years. In Australia the average age of menopause is around 51, with most women experiencing it between 45 and 55 years of age.
Menopause can occur:
• Naturally, at the expected age range
• Early, before age 45
• Prematurely, before age 40
Early or premature menopause may occur due to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), surgery involving the ovaries, or as an unintended effect of medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
While menopause itself is a single point in time - the moment when 12 months have passed since the last menstrual period - the hormonal transition surrounding it has important implications for long-term health.
Research referenced in Australian menopause guidance and collaborative work involving the University of Melbourne and The Lancet shows that earlier menopause is associated with increased long-term health risks, including:
• Higher risk of cardiovascular disease
• Greater risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• Reduced life expectancy
In contrast, women who experience later onset menopause tend to have:
• Increased life expectancy
• Higher bone mineral density
• Lower fracture risk
• Reduced risk of heart disease
You could think of oestrogen as a bit like the farmer who has been diligently keeping the whole place running smoothly for decades. When that farmer starts stepping back from the job, a few things around the body’s “property” can begin to wobble - bones, heart health, metabolism and more.
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For this reason, menopause is increasingly recognised as a significant cardiometabolic transition, not simply the end of reproductive function. Paying attention to changes in menstrual cycles or emerging symptoms during perimenopause can help women seek support early and protect their long-term health.