How long does the menopause last?

I had a hysterectomy at 31 but kept the ovaries. I was very pleased to say goodbye to periods as they were always heavy and lasted 7-8 days. At about 45 I started with the flushes, sweats and mood swings so my doctor put me on HRT. When I moved house at 62 my new doctor said I'd been on them too long and stopped prescribing them. The flushes and sweats started again. They are nowhere near as severe as originally and I can (almost) cope with them. However I have put on a lot of weight in the last 6 years. Maybe that's just coincidence with retiring but I've done a lot of active baby/toddler/childminding of my DGS in that time. In fact when I first moved here I walked miles each day with the little one in his pushchair as I found places of interest in my new location.

Sorry to say that over 20 years later I am still suffering hot flushes and night sweats.

Strangely enough, I started the menopause at 50 and I'm now 62, and have never had a hot flush ever and only experienced feeling a little warmer some nights in bed, but not had bad symptoms otherwise .......is that odd??

I had a late menopause too. I was 58. I felt pretty well apart from bouts of tiredness and palpitations. The latter are only just dwindling. I'm 70 in a few weeks time.
Listening to relaxation CDs helped a lot.
Sorry if someone wants to slap me, but I can do sweaty exercise without HRT. The exercise is a ploy to get my waist size under control - which has expanded horribly, as has my bust. That could be the chocolate though!
Chin up Battycat. There are solutions out there. I hope you find the ones that work for you.

Have read that the menopause is actually not natural as we are supposed to be dead by then! Perhaps having it is a bonus

I've been having symptoms for 18 years (now 63). Once I realised what was happening, it was easier to cope with. I'll still take the hot flushes, irritablilty & mood swings over periods any day! Alternatives never made any difference and I don't do non-recreatioal drugs so no HRT for me.

Not odd Elysium, just lucky!

I found peri menopause to be worse strangely. I had terrible flushes and sweats.
The Dr was reluctant to give me HRT but I do use vagifem which is wonderful.
I had my last period just over a year ago and apart from the odd flush, usually in the evening for some reason, I have very few problems at all.
If it continues like this, I shall consider myself very lucky judging by the stories I've heard from others.

In my case, about 6 weeks of sweaty nights, but then, it was a hot summer, so not sure about cause and effect. I was one of the lucky ones. I was only 43, so it's a distant memory now.

My periods suddenly became regular at about age 48 or so. They never had been before. I was petrified I'd suddenly become fertile after two fertility treatment babies and a surprise in between but luckily no late baby arrived! Over a couple of years my periods tailed off. I was attending a wedding in church when the last one started. I never had any of the nasty effects of menopause, thank goodness.

No help to OP, mind you! ?

The menopause would not have evolved if we were supposed to be dead by 50.
There are one or two other animals (only) that have a menopause and they, like us, have a very long childhood with a lot to learn.
It makes sense to stop having babies while still young enough to raise the last of the brood and also assist with the raising of grandchildren.

too bloody long, if you ask me

I'm 62 and had been suffering from terrible night sweats and flushes through the day for several years. Someone I know recommended Red Clover and I am pleased to report that it has definitely reduced my sweats and flushes considerably. I do also take Menopace Plus botanicals with green tea and sage extract as well as Menopace Night with hops and chamomile so it may well be that it is the combination of these natural ingredients which has eased my symptoms. Not cheap but worth every penny as far as I am concerned. Have a look on Amazon UK at the reviews.

I had a very early menopause. I was about 36/37 when my periods became erratic and by 39 they had stopped. I'm 55 now and still get hot flushes. Apparently if your mother had an early one then it's not uncommon for you too also.

55 for me. I had op for polyps and nothing after that.

Now in year 24th year of flushes!! Latest cool pillow arrived this morning.?

Ooooops that reads badly!!

Light period now turning into something heavier and more painful, after 6 days. Also feel quite dizzy but then, being diagnosed anaemic and losing even more blood, maybe that is the reason, what do you think?

I was 58 when I finished my menopause but I still get hot flushes I wake up in the night so hot even in the winter and I got a lower tog duvet thinking it might help but it didn't

rubylady If you're anaemic and bleeding heavily, go and see your GP. The dizziness is a sign that the anaemia needs addressing.

I was diagnosed as being dangerously anaemic due to heavy and irregular periods which were caused by fibroids. Had a hysterectomy and Yahoo! problem sorted (saved me a lot of money formerly spent on sanitary products too).

Sadly the operation didn't stop the hot flushes, even 18 years later, though they're not as bad as they used to be,

It can be quite miserable for some, I'm still getting hot flushes, must be about fourteen years now, but they are getting lighter. I feel sorry for our mothers who, I don't think, were really able to talk about it the way we can now. Times change, these forums can help in ways that we couldn't imagine years ago.

I'm 62 and had HRT for a few years until my dr told me to stop once he knew my family history(my mum and her sister both died of breast cancer)
The flushes started again,the poor mood and forgetfulness.Ive now had blood tests which show I'm bordering on Diabetes,which was a shock but I have to say since I've started eating more protein and veg and fats all of the above have improved dramatically,seriously.
I've cut down on the carbs big time.cant quite believe the improvement.might be worth a try for a couple of weeks?

Thanks CrazyDaisy, I have medication to stop my periods if they get too heavy and I am seeing the colposcopy team on Monday at the Women's Health Centre for a cervical biopsy. With this in mind, I will ring the lovely nurse there tomorrow and ask if I should take the medication and stop this period and then the procedure can take place. She did say the last time I spoke to her that I could have the lining of my womb cauterised or something and to speak to the lady doing my biopsy on Monday. Either that or a coil fitted. So I will listen and then make a choice. I am on prescribed iron tablets also. Oh, isn't this fun?

The only thing that keeps me hot flush free is my daily low dose HRT pill. I've tried to come off them a couple of times but when I do, back come the hot flushes.