How to Recognize the Signs For some women, the menopausal period is barely noticeable. Other women experience a number of signs that let them know they're moving toward this midlife change. A woman officially reaches menopause when she goes one year without a menstrual period. On average, this occurs around age 51. But menopause can occur earlier or later.
Smokers tend to experience the event earlier than nonsmokers.
However, most of the symptoms commonly linked to menopause occur prior to this official event. Two to eight years before menopause, a woman's hormone levels will begin to fluctuate. This can cause hot flashes and other symptoms. This period is known as perimenopause. Whatever a woman's age, she should report changes in her cycle to her doctor.