"Does Menopause last long?" is often a question women ask their doctors. Women who are looking for menopause relief are always waiting for the end to come near. For many women, menopausal symptoms cause pain and are very uncomfortable, so they are looking for the end from the moment perimenopause begins.

How Long Does Normal Menopause Last?

For most women, they can expect all the stages of menopause to last between four and five years. From the first early symptom or sign to the last, hot flashes can actually range from one year to eight years. This is not much relief for women who have been suffering for several years already.

Premenopausal woman may already be experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause and wondering when it will all be over. Unfortunately, there is no specific time frame for menopause. Some people believe that women who have had heavy periods will have longer menopauses than people who have had lighter periods. Others believe that the earlier menopause or perimenopause sets in, the longer it is going to last.

The Average Length of Time

There is no strong evidence to support any predictors for the length of menopause. Every woman is different and every woman will experience menopause at a different pace. On average, a woman who is suffering from premenopausal issues will have four years before their period has disappeared. It may take longer for all hot flashes to disappear.

Relief for Symptoms

There are a variety of techniques available to help relieve the symptoms associated with menopause. Some of the most popular ways to relieve menopausal symptoms are:

* Medications like estrogen

* Herbal supplements like Black Cohosh and Chaste Tree Berry

* Reducing life stressors

* Exercise

* Eating right

Family and loved ones being supportive can also be a great relief for women suffering through menopause. Women who are surrounded by understanding people are going to have a much calmer menopause experience than a woman who is constantly struggling to get her symptoms heard and understood.

What can be done?

There is no predetermined amount of time that menopause will last. Some women may experience menopause symptoms for only a couple years while others may suffer for over five years. There is also no way to determine how uncomfortable the menopause process is going to be for a woman. Some women will not notice very many changes in their body as they breeze through menopause, while other women may feel like they are in agony for much of the process.

Relief of menopause symptoms can come from medication, herbal remedies, and emotional support. Although the time frame is unknown, women who have a good support system around them are more likely to find the menopause experience bearable.

For families who have a woman going through menopause, they can offer support by being understanding of the radical mood swings and bodily changes that the menopausal woman may be suffering from. Menopause is something that all women will go through at some point in their life. It is important to seek medical support as well as the support of family and friends during the long process of menopause.