Essentially, Menopause is the period in a woman’s life when her reproductive system begins to wind down. It’s generally split into three stages. Perimenopause is the initial stage, characterized by intermittent symptoms, gradually increasing in frequency On average, Perimenopause is upon us around age 45, announcing its intentions with irregular periods, hot flashes, memory loss, unpredictable emotions and moods, and a drop in fertility. The second stage, Menopause, starts 12 months after your last period. And while you’d think that this marks the beginning of the end for your symptoms, it’s actually more like the beginning of the middle. Because, in a fun biological twist, despite the lack of periods, the rest of your symptoms will carry on regardless. In Canada, Menopause starts at around age 51 and can go on for more than a decade. No, you read that right. Ten. Actual. Years. Post-Menopause is the third and final stage of your hormonal adjustment. Generally, you’ll be around 60-ish when it’s finally over, but for some women, they’re well into their late 60s before the hormones finally relent. Menopause is one of the biggest physical events you’ll experience, but there are ways to minimize its effects.