Can You Still Have Post-Menopause Symptoms in Your 60s?

Hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness? Can you still have post-menopause symptoms in your 60s? It’s possible. Read on for the details.
Menopause comes with a whole grab bag of symptoms.

Some of these symptoms are fairly short-lived, while others linger for a lot longer.

But how long?!

If you’re wondering about when these symptoms are going to pass, stick around.

We’re talking postmenopause symptoms, age 60 and beyond.

In this article: 📝

What is menopause?

[Menopause is when your period stops.

During menopause, the ovaries stop making eggs, and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decline.

(Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones that regulate periods and help pregnancy.)

This typically happens somewhere between 40 and 58 years of age.

Menopause is made up of three phases: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the 5-10 leading up to menopause, especially the last few, when symptoms can become more intense.

It’s the time when hormones begin to shift and periods can become irregular or stop.

This is the time period where many women experience classic menopause symptoms, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Menopause

Menopause itself is actually just one moment in time.

When you haven’t had a period in 12 months, then you have hit menopause.

Once you’ve reached that day, you enter into….

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the next chapter of your life after you’ve officially reached menopause, aka 12 months with no period.

What is postmenopause?

In postmenopause, your body no longer produces and releases eggs.

And the symptoms that you experienced during perimenopause can become less intense.

But — and this is the bad news — this isn’t the case for everyone.

For some people, menopausal symptoms can carry on for a decade or longer.

What are typical menopause symptoms?

Menopause symptoms can start in perimenopause and continue all the way through to postmenopause.

Some of the classic symptoms of menopause are:

• Hot flashes and night sweats.
  
• Sleep disturbances and insomnia.
  
• [Vaginal dryness]9https://www.peanut-app.io/blog/best-lubricant-for-menopause-dryness) (which can cause discomfort during sex).
  
• Irritability.
  
• Anxiety and depression.
  
• Hair loss.
  
• Dry skin.
  
• Urinary incontinence.

Some women will experience all of the symptoms while others won’t experience any at all.

So whatever your experience, it’s totally normal.

Most women have menopause symptoms well into postmenopause.

They are usually less intense than during perimenopause.

If your symptoms become more intense, it’s probably a good idea to chat with your doctor.

How long do menopause symptoms last?

How long these symptoms stick around for is different for everyone.

On average, they last for 4.5 years, but can last a lot longer.

Can you still have menopause symptoms in your 60s?

The term “menopause symptoms” is a bit misleading.

For many women, menopause symptoms occur not only during menopause but during postmenopause too.

This means that even though menopause typically takes place in your 40s or 50s, you can experience the symptoms well into your 60s, 70s, and even 80s.

Can you have menopause symptoms at 65?

Yup. Those bothersome symptoms can keep going, even up to your 80s.

How long can postmenopause last?

How do you know when postmenopause is over?

Technically, postmenopause doesn’t actually end.

This stage continues for the rest of your life.

Hormone levels stay low and your monthly period is a thing of the past.

Along with any risk of pregnancy.

It’s the beginning of the new you.

What are the benefits of menopause?

And now for the often overlooked benefits of menopause.

No more periods!

That means no more tampons or pads.

No more unexpected bleeding.

Plus no more risk of unexpected pregnancy.

Oh, and no more PMS.

Another benefit — and this is a biggie — now’s the time for a fresh look at life. postmenopause is a time when women take on life with renewed vigor, or “postmenopausal zest.”

You’ve got more time to focus on yourself and enter this next phase with a sense of empowerment and renewed self-esteem.

Menopause can sometimes feel lonely.

But it’s a great time to build connections with other women in the same phase.

Come and chat with our menopause community on Peanut.

You’re not alone.