How Long Does Menopause Last

Menopause is quite a complex phase in a woman’s life. It is the time in a woman’s life when her period stops and is typically naturally occurring although physicians do sometimes induce menopause in certain cases.

A woman is considered as having reached menopause once she has not had a period for a full year or more, and menopause is also often referred to as being the "change of life".

There are many different symptoms that a woman may experience from menopause, including trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings, trouble focusing, a change in pattern of menstruation and hot flashes. There are a ton of other symptoms that have been reported as symptoms of menopause as well. Because of all these uncomfortable serious symptoms one of the questions that many women ask is how long does menopause last

When it comes to the question of how long does menopause last, there is really no simple answer. This is because each woman is different and although certain basics of menopause remain the same from one case to another, menopause is always different from one woman to the next and so the question of how long does menopause last actually requires a few answers.

For most women, they can expect all stages of menopause to last between four to five years, and from the first symptom to the last these can actually range up to eight years or even more. There is no evidence to show any support for predictors for the length of menopause, as every woman will experience menopause in her life at a different pace.

Relief Of Symptoms

Even if you may not be able to answer the question of how long does menopause does last in your life, you should feel comforted in knowing that there are certain things you can do in order to relieve the symptoms that are caused by your menopause. Estrogen for example, which can be taken in supplements or medications, can help to restore a balance of the levels of hormones in the body, thereby relieving hot flashes and mood swings.

Herbal supplements such as Black Cohosh and Chaste Tree Berry have also proven to be very effective at relieving menopausal symptoms, as has reducing life stressors, a healthy diet, and relaxation exercises and techniques such as yoga and meditation. It is important to work together with your doctor through this tough time and have supportive friends and family members by your side.