Well, we can break menopause into two different segments. There's what most people consider menopause is early menopause, and that's when the ovaries stop ovulating and stop producing the hormones that are associated with the ovaries. Then, there's late menopause which occurs usually five or six years subsequent to the ovaries stopping to function, and that continues for the lifetime.
Symptoms of menopause begin usually on average the age of 51, but the range is anywhere from 45 to 56. The initial symptoms that most people associate with early menopause will last about five years usually, sometimes less. Symptoms associated with late menopause may last the patient the rest of their life.