Menopause is a transition every woman will face—but for many, the experience is filled with uncertainty, frustration, and possibly feeling overlooked by traditional medicine. The physical, emotional, and mental changes can be overwhelming, especially when they start creeping in around your mid-40s. But you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about menopause symptoms, when they tend to start, and what natural, non-hormonal options exist to support your body during this powerful life shift.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycle and fertility. It’s officially diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a period. But the process doesn’t happen overnight. There are three distinct phases:

• Perimenopause: Hormones start to fluctuate. Periods become irregular. This is when most menopause symptoms begin.

• Menopause: Periods stop for 12 months. Symptoms may intensify or change.

• Postmenopause: Hormones level out at lower levels. Some symptoms resolve, while others linger or evolve.

According to The North American Menopause Society, understanding which stage you're in helps guide supportive strategies that are both effective and appropriate.

When Does Menopause Start?

Most women begin experiencing menopause symptoms between ages 45 and 55, but signs can appear earlier. The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51, though perimenopause often starts in the early-to-mid 40s.

Factors that influence timing:

• Genetics (your mother’s age of menopause is often a good predictor)

• Smoking (associated with earlier onset)

• Surgical menopause (ovary or uterus removal)

• Chemotherapy or radiation

• Autoimmune conditions

If you're noticing changes around age 47, you're not imagining things. For many, this is the pivotal year when hormone shifts become impossible to ignore.

40 Common Menopause Symptoms to Know

Menopause symptoms affect nearly every system in the body. Hot flashes and mood swings might get the headlines, but the full picture is much broader. Recognizing these signs empowers women to seek support—not dismiss what they’re feeling.

Here are 40 menopause symptoms to be aware of:

1. Hot flashes

2. Night sweats

3. Irregular periods

4. Vaginal dryness

5. Low libido

6. Sleep disturbances

7. Brain fog

8. Mood swings

9. Depression

10. Anxiety

11. Fatigue

12. Joint pain

13. Muscle aches

14. Weight gain

15. Bloating

16. Hair thinning

17. Dry skin

18. Itchy skin

19. Headaches

20. Dizziness

21. Palpitations

22. Gum sensitivity

23. Burning tongue

24. Tinnitus

25. Urinary urgency

26. Incontinence

27. Panic attacks

28. Tingling extremities

29. Cold flashes

30. Allergies worsening

31. Nail changes

32. Increased facial hair

33. Body odor changes

34. Irregular heartbeat

35. Digestive issues

36. Sensitivity to noise

37. Skin thinning

38. Osteoporosis risk

39. Decreased motivation

40. Loss of confidence

Menopause Symptoms at Age 47: What’s Normal?

If you’re 47 and noticing menopause symptoms, you’re in good company. This is a common age when perimenopause begins in earnest.

Women at this age often report:

• Irregular or skipped periods

• Hot flashes that come out of nowhere

• Trouble falling or staying asleep

• Irritability or mood changes

• Vaginal dryness or discomfort

• Brain fog or forgetfulness

• New anxiety or worsening of old patterns

• Weight gain, especially in the midsection

These shifts are largely due to the body’s fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone—two key hormones that influence everything from mood to skin to metabolism. When they go off balance, everything feels a little off.

Postmenopause Symptoms: The Aftermath No One Talks About

Once periods have officially stopped, you might assume things will settle down. But postmenopause symptoms can persist—sometimes subtly, sometimes loudly.

Common issues in postmenopause include:

• Vaginal thinning and dryness

• Decreased libido

• Bladder urgency or infections

• Persistent weight gain

• Sleep challenges

• Joint pain

• Higher risk for osteoporosis or heart concerns

This is when long-term support really matters. Lifestyle changes like strength training, proper hydration, and natural menopause support supplements can make a real difference.

How Long Do Menopause Symptoms Last?

This isn’t a 30-day phase. For most women, menopause is a journey:

• Perimenopause: 4 to 8 years before your last period

• Menopause: Defined as the 12-month marker without a period

• Postmenopause: Can last decades, with low hormone levels permanently

Some symptoms fade with time, but others—like vaginal dryness, joint pain, or brain fog—can continue well into postmenopause.

Duration varies based on:

• Genetics

• Diet and exercise

• Stress and sleep quality

• Use of supplements or medications

• Environmental toxin exposure

Menopause Testing at Home

Wondering if you’re officially in menopause or still in transition? At-home menopause tests, like the Clearblue Menopause Stage Indicator, measure levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - a key marker that rises as estrogen declines or OOVA The only at-home hormone test for perimenopause that delivers actual levels of E3G (an estrogen metabolite), LH, and PdG (a progesterone metabolite). Confirm hormone activity, track symptoms, and view month-to-month trends.

While these tests can’t replace a full hormone panel or doctor consultation, they do offer clarity and help women connect the dots between symptoms and hormone changes. Understanding your stage helps you choose the best tools for relief.

Natural Menopause Support Without Hormones

Many women are seeking non-hormonal menopause relief due to concerns around hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Whether you're managing hot flashes, brain fog, or mood shifts, the right combination of lifestyle and science-backed supplements can offer meaningful support.

Enter Reclaim by Pure Essentials—a clean-label, hormone-free supplement designed to help ease common menopause symptoms naturally. It’s formulated with four potent, non-estrogenic ingredients:

EstroG-100®

A blend of three traditional Korean herbs used for centuries, EstroG-100 is clinically studied to relieve hot flashes, fatigue, vaginal dryness, and mood changes—without the hormonal risks of phytoestrogens.

Delphinol® Maqui Berry Extract

This antioxidant powerhouse supports metabolic balance, blood sugar regulation, and glowing skin. Especially helpful during times of hormonal and inflammatory changes.

Organic Lion’s Mane (8:1 Extract)

A brain-boosting mushroom that supports mood, memory, and nervous system resilience. Helpful for combating menopause-related brain fog and mood swings.

Hyaluronic Acid (from fermentation)

Naturally supports skin hydration, joint comfort, and moisture retention—especially important in postmenopause when natural hyaluronic acid levels drop.

All ingredients are ethically sourced, rigorously tested, and free from fillers, hormones, or synthetic solvents. Reclaim was designed with one goal: to help women feel empowered, not dismissed, during one of the most significant changes in their life.

A Better Way to Reclaim Your Health

Whether you're noticing your first menopause symptoms or trying to manage long-term postmenopausal changes, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix—but there is hope.

Key takeaways:

• Menopause symptoms are real, wide-ranging, and valid.

• Most women begin experiencing signs between 45 and 55, with age 47 being a common tipping point.

• Non-hormonal support like Reclaim can offer targeted, natural relief for body, mood, and mind.

• Lifestyle practices—nutrition, movement, sleep, stress reduction—are essential partners in this journey.

You’re not alone, and you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through menopause. With the right tools, information, and clean support, you can navigate this chapter with clarity, strength, and grace.