---
title: "What is menopause"
description: "Learn what menopause is, when it starts, and common symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness in this clear medical guide."
url: "https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/what-is-menopause"
---

# What is menopause

> Learn what menopause is, when it starts, and common symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness in this clear medical guide.

## What is menopause?

### What menopause is

Menopause is the point when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. That’s when you’re officially in menopause. It happens as the ovaries make less estrogen over time and eventually stop releasing eggs. In the U.S., the average age is about 51, though it can happen earlier, sometimes in the 40s or even 30s.

The years leading up to it are called perimenopause, and that phase can last anywhere from 2 to 10 years. During that time, hormone levels can swing around, so periods may get irregular and symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep trouble, vaginal dryness, and changes in concentration can show up.

After menopause, you’re in postmenopause. Some symptoms may ease, but lower estrogen can still affect things like vaginal dryness, and the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis goes up.

Here at Alloy, we’ve got a fuller explainer on [what menopause is](https://www.myalloy.com/blog/what-is-menopause), a guide to [menopause symptoms](https://www.myalloy.com/symptoms), and if hot flashes or night sweats are getting in the way, you can also look at [treatment options and plans](https://secure.myalloy.com/experience).


[Find Your Plan](https://secure.myalloy.com/experience)

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This answer was created using the following resources:

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*This is a markdown version of [https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/what-is-menopause](https://www.myalloy.com/knowledge-base/what-is-menopause) for AI/LLM consumption.*