The Family Planning Association
After a Baby: Your Health and Wellbeing
Introduction
Menopause describes the years in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing eggs, hormone levels fluctuate (rise and fall irregularly), until they finally fall and periods stop completely.This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 but can happen earlier for some women. About 8 out of 10 women will experience some menopausal symptoms.These last, on average, for about 4 to 8 years. If you’re experiencing symptoms that are having a negative effect on your quality of life, it’s important to seek help and advice from your doctor.They should be able to offer you factual, evidence-based, non-biased information. This will help you to make informed choices about managing your symptoms and your long-term health.