What is the Average Age of Menopause?

Menopause marks a significant milestone in a woman’s life, signaling the end of menstrual cycles and their reproductive years. It typically begins between the ages of 45 and 55, with symptoms lasting anywhere from two to eight years, although this can vary greatly, and is based on each woman’s individual experience of the transition¹ In the United States, the average age of the onset of menopause is 51 years of age.²

Why is Understanding the Average Age of Menopause Important?

Knowing the average age that menopause starts has both clinical and public health implications. The timing of the onset of menopause can serve as a marker of a woman’s overall health status and wellness and assist in understanding the start of any new or evolving symptoms.

• Benefits of Experiencing Menopause Later: Women who experience menopause later in life may benefit from the protective properties of estrogen for longer. Mainly this can contribute to a longer life expectancy, less loss of bone density, reduced cardiovascular disease, and stroke.^3,4,5
• Risks of Delayed Menopause: However, women who experience a delayed onset of menopause may be at an increased risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.⁶

Understanding the average age women go through menopause can help guide health considerations and enable you to be more proactive about addressing any health concerns.

What Factors Influence the Timing of Menopause?

Several factors can affect the average age that menopause starts, including genetics, lifestyle, and socioeconomic background.

Race, Ethnicity, and Geography

The average age of menopause in the U.S. is primarily derived from studies on white women in industrialized nations. However, research shows notable differences in the onset of menopause based on geographic location, race and ethnicity.

Some findings include:

• Women in developing nations tend to experience menopause earlier.⁷
• Urban women often have later menopause compared to those in rural areas.⁸
• Black, Asian and Latina women, all tend to reach menopause earlier than White women.⁹

Genetic and Non-Modifiable Factors

Genetics can certainly play a significant role in determining the average age of menopause onset in women. Studies have shown that a woman’s menopausal age often mirrors her mother’s. An older study conducted in twins further suggests the potential of this genetic influence on the onset of menopause.^10,11

Lifestyle and Socioeconomic Factors

Lifestyle and socioeconomic status can have a significant impact on the timing of menopause:

• Lower Socioeconomic Status: Women with less education or lower occupational status often experience earlier menopause.¹²
• Menstrual Patterns: Women with shorter menstrual cycles (fewer than 26 days) have been shown to experience earlier menopause as well as more severe symptoms.¹³

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The relationship between BMI and menopause is complex. Some studies suggest that women with a higher BMI experience menopause later, while those who are underweight are at a greater risk of experiencing menopause earlier.¹⁴ More research needs to be conducted in this area to determine if there is a more definitive link.

Other lifestyle related areas such as smoking¹⁵ and dietary intake¹⁶ may also influence the timing of menopause onset.

Smoking and Its Impact on Menopause Onset

Smoking has consistently been linked to earlier menopause due to tobacco’s toxic effects on ovarian follicles and blood levels of estrogen. The risk of early menopause due to smoking is often seen more readily in heavy smokers.¹⁷

Diet and Nutrition

Diet and nutrition may play a role in the timing of menopause, however more research needs to be done in order to make a defined conclusion of the potential connection:^18,19,20

• Diets High in Fruits and Vegetables: Diets containing a variety of fruits and vegetables have been associated with later menopause onset – in addition, consumption of beans and legumes may also lead to a later menopausal age.
• Proteins and Fats: Higher protein and fat consumption could potentially be associated with later menopause onset.
• Alcohol and Caloric Intake: Moderate alcohol intake and higher calorie consumption have a possible link to delayed menopause.

A balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins may help to support reproductive health and overall well-being and can play a role in when you experience the onset of menopause.

Trends in Menopause Over Time

The average age of menopause in the U.S. has increased over the last six decades, by 1.5 years²¹ – and as stated earlier, the current age of menopause in the U.S. is, on average, 51. Improved healthcare, nutrition, and living standards are likely contributing to this shift.

Key Takeaways for Women About the Onset of Menopause

Women should consider having conversations about menopause early, focusing on health interventions that can help manage symptoms and reduce associated risks, such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.

Women should be proactive in taking steps to protect their:²²

• Bone Health: Women should consider incorporating calcium and vitamin D into their diets to support bone density and reduce osteoporosis risks later in life. Calcium is best obtained through dietary sources, supplementing when needed – while vitamin D may be more difficult to obtain through diet alone, and supplements may be beneficial.
• Heart Health: Women should also look into incorporating heart-healthy diets and regular exercise to potentially mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with reduced estrogen levels postmenopause.

By understanding the average age women go through menopause and the factors influencing it, women and their healthcare providers can make proactive, informed decisions about long-term health.

Resources:

1. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15951675/
4. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030558
5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3285482/
6. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3285482/
7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3285482/
8. https://swhr.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/swhr_factsheet_menopause_rev_0222-1.pdf
9. https://www.everydayhealth.com/menopause/what-experts-want-bipoc-women-to-know-about-menopause/
10.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7968648/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9626112/
12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4190515/
13. https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/short-menstrual-cycles-may-predict-earlier-menopause-worse-symptoms-in-midlife
14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29460096/
15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5888979/
16. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3955043
17. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5888979/
18. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3955043  
19. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-and-age-at-menopause-is-there-a-connection-2018081014468
20. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378512220303972
21. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2778126
22. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/to-why-didnt-i-know-this-re-menopause