Menopause and its variants: the terms explained

Menopause isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. While the basic definition remains the same—the end of menstrual periods—the timing and circumstances can vary significantly from woman to woman. This guide explains the terms related to the essential types and timing variants of menopause to help you understand where you or someone you know might fit in this natural life transition.

1. Menopause

The point in time when a person has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It's a natural part of aging and marks the end of your reproductive years, occurring on average at age 51. The word "menopause" comes from the Greek words "men" (meaning month) and "pausis" (meaning pause or cessation), literally translating to "monthly pause."

2. Perimenopause

The menopausal transition period that begins with a variation in menstrual cycle length and rise in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and ends with the final menstrual period. The term "perimenopause," which literally means "around the menopause" (from the Greek prefix "peri-" meaning "around" or "surrounding"), refers to this transitional phase that can last several years before menopause.

3. Climacteric

Climacteric is the period of life starting from the decline in ovarian activity until after the end of ovarian function. According to the definition, the period includes peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause. The term climacteric comes from the Greek word meaning "steps" and refers to gradual changes of ovarian function that start before the menopause and continue thereafter for a while.

4. Postmenopause

The period following menopause. Early postmenopause is defined as within 5 years since the final menstrual period, while late postmenopause has a variable duration since it ends with a woman's death.

5. Premature Menopause

Premature menopause occurs before the age of 40, which may be the result of genetics, autoimmune disorders, or medical procedures like a hysterectomy. This affects approximately 1% of women.

6. Early Menopause

Early menopause is menopause that occurs between ages 40 and 45, affecting about 5% of women. According to Yale Medicine, "Early or premature menopause can have the same causes; the only difference between the two is the age at which it starts." 

7. Induced Menopaus

Menopause that occurs when the ovaries are surgically removed. Induced menopause can also result from damage to the ovaries caused by radiation or by medications used in chemotherapy.

Sources

1. The Menopause Society - Patient Education Glossary (2024): https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-glossary
2. Cleveland Clinic - Menopause Overview (2021): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21841-menopause
3. Cleveland Clinic - Premature & Early Menopause (2019): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21138-premature-and-early-menopause
4. Yale Medicine - Early and Premature Menopause (2024): https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/early-and-premature-menopause
5. U.S. Office on Women's Health - Early or Premature Menopause: https://womenshealth.gov/menopause/early-or-premature-menopause
6. BMC Women's Health - A review of menopause nomenclature (2022): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8805414/