Does my family history determine when I'll start menopause?

It might. It’s about as likely as flipping heads in a coin toss. Women can go through natural menopause anytime between the ages of 40 and 60, but usually by the time they are 49, it is a done deal. Genetics is only part of the story though. Environmental factors such as smoking can cause some ladies to enter menopause two years earlier. So while you can thank your mom for your clear-blue eyes, you may or may not be able to attribute your menopause start date to her.

Yes, when a woman is likely to begin menopause is based more on the family history of female relatives and when they started menopause. Just like a support group, it may be helpful to talk about how they experienced menopause to understand symptoms and issues from a close relative's perspective.