HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury
Overview of menopause
Mō te rauhinetanga
Menopause is a natural process that happens to all women. It happens when your ovaries stop releasing eggs. This means your levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone change. The lining of your womb (uterus) stays thin and eventually your periods stop.
This can happen suddenly or over several years as your periods become more irregular and then stop completely.
Menopause is defined as not having a period for:
- more than 1 year, if you are not pregnant and older than 50
- more than 2 years, if you are not pregnant and younger than 50.
Menopause usually happens when you are around 50 years old.
Early menopause happens between the ages of 40 and 45.
Premature menopause starts before age 40. It is also referred to as premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency.
Artificial menopause happens when your ovaries have been surgically removed or stop working because of cancer treatment.
Perimenopause is the time when your periods become irregular before they finally stop. This usually lasts between 4 and 8 years. You can have all the same symptoms as menopause, but you will still get your periods. Your periods may become heavier or irregular. The treatment for troublesome perimenopause is the same as the treatment for menopause.
Postmenopause starts from 1 year after your last period.
Important
Heavy periods, bleeding between periods and bleeding after sex are not part of menopause. They are always a reason to see your general practice team.
You should also see your general practice team if:
- you have menopause symptoms and you are under 40
- you start bleeding again after not having a period for 12 months or more.
Symptoms of menopause
Sometimes you will have physical and emotional symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. These are caused by the falling level of estrogen in your body. Symptoms vary, with some women having no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms include:
- irregular periods
- hot flushes and night sweats
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- vaginal dryness (atrophic vaginitis)
- low interest in sex (low libido)
- poor memory and concentration
- anxiety, irritability or other mood changes
- weight gain.
Some women do not have symptoms for long, while for others they can last several years.
Menopause can also increase your likelihood of getting osteoporosis.
Diagnosing menopause
Your symptoms and the changes in your menstruation are usually all that is needed to diagnose menopause. But you may need some blood tests to check your hormone levels if you are younger than 40 and have menopause symptoms.
Contraception and menopause
If you are under 50, you still need to use contraception for 2 years after your last period. If you are over 50, you still need to use contraception for 1 year after your last period. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT, previously called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is not a contraceptive.
If you are over 55, you do not need to use any contraception, even if you still have periods.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- NZ Early Menopause Support Group
This site provides support, resources and shared stories. It is for women who are experiencing or have experienced an early menopause.
- Royal New Zealand and Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Menopause
This pamphlet explains the different types of menopause, symptoms and treatment options. It includes ways to help yourself.
On the next page: Treating menopause symptoms
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2025.
SourcesReview key: HIMNP-12236
