What signals the end of menopause?

Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Board-Certified Family Physician
Written by Jennifer Nelson, Contributor
Updated Jan 9, 2026  •  Published Jan 9, 2026
Fact Checked

Generally, the end of menopause is signaled by going 12 months without a menstrual period. This marks menopause itself, which follows years of perimenopause with irregular periods and reflects near-complete depletion of ovarian follicles along with low estrogen and high follicle-stimulating hormone levels.

Want to dive deeper?  Read our full analysis: The best diet to reduce menopause symptoms

Medical disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your OBGYN or healthcare provider before making changes to your medication regimen.

Sources

Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Board-Certified Family Physician

Leslie Greenberg, MD, is a board-certified practicing family physician with more than 25 years of doctoring experience. She was a psychology major at Northwestern University near Chicago, then graduated with an MD from the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She completed her family medicine residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. She has trained more than 350 family medicine resident-physicians, been in private practice, and delivered babies for 22 years.

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Written by Jennifer Nelson, Contributor

Jennifer Nelson is a Florida-based writer who writes about all things health and wellness. Her work also appears in AARP, PBS Next Avenue, Shondaland, WebMD, and many others. She typically writes with her Beagle-Hound rescue at her feet and enjoys gardening, reading, and biking around her beach town.

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