How long does ';change of life'; last for most women?

My wife is going through female menopause and there seems to be a wide variance in what age it kicks in, and when it subsides. What was it like for you? What was it like for someone you know?How long does ';change of life'; last for most women?
Ten years usually.



The normal age to hit menopause (Periods stop) is 51.



When going through peri-menopause (the period of time when things go crazy until the periods stop) can last ten years. This can begin as early as age 36.



When you hit menopause (periods stop and hot flashes go on), the symptoms can go another five to ten years.

My mom had hot flashes for five years after she hit menopause at 53.How long does ';change of life'; last for most women?
for my mum it took ten years, but it differs with most women, usually between 5 and 15 years in total.