While the average age of menopause for women in the US is 51, there is no set age that signals the onset menopause. In rare cases women can experience menopause as early as their 30s or as late as their 60s, but the majority of cases occur between 45 and 55 years of age. Some research suggests that women who smoke or are underweight tend to experience an earlier menopause while women who are overweight are more likely go through menopause at a later age. It is important to remember that perimenopause can last several years — even more than a decade in some cases — before menopause occurs itself. Because of this, keep using birth control methods to prevent an unwanted pregnancy until your doctor confirms menopause.
