At what age do periods stop?

Periods usually stop at menopause, which is the natural end of a woman’s menstrual cycle.

👉 On average, menopause happens around age 45 to 55, with 51 being the most common age.

Key points:

  • Some women may stop earlier (before 45) — this is called early menopause.

  • Rarely, periods can stop before age 40 — known as premature ovarian insufficiency.

  • Lifestyle factors (smoking, stress, health conditions) can influence when menopause begins.

  • Periods don’t usually stop suddenly — cycles often become irregular and lighter before stopping completely.

🌸 Once a woman has gone 12 months without a period, she is officially in menopause.

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