Do all women experience menopause in the same way?

To each woman, menopause is a unique experience. In addition to the varying severity of symptoms, the onset of menopause can occur at almost any age. For example, a woman who encounters menopause at 48 may have a friend who doesn't enter this stage until 56 years of age. These situational factors can lead some women to feel alone and misunderstood.

In addition to differing physical and emotional effects, reactions to treatments vary for each woman, which can lead to difficulty in determining a timely relief strategy. A treatment that works for one woman may not work for another. Also, some women may find that initially an option does not provide much relief, when in actuality it is possible that dosage levels and treatment duration may need adjustment in order to feel results.

Research has shown that a woman's experience with menopause is influenced by many factors, including genetics, diet, lifestyle and lack of education and discussion about this life transition.

Many women grew-up unaware of menopause because their mothers rarely spoke of it or simply referred to this time in their life as "the change". Today, menopause is no longer a taboo topic. Increased awareness and information has assisted women in understanding their individual needs and options for care.