Henapause
Late perimenopause phase (7-11 months without a period) where cycles are mostly absent and the body prepares for full menopause.
Systems involved
Contributing factors
What It Is
Henapause is the transitional window between the chaotic Wild Tide and the official Pause (menopause). You've gone 7-11 months without a period, but you're not yet at the 12-month mark that defines menopause.
This phase is characterized by absence more than presence: fewer cycles, fewer hot flashes (for some), and a settling into a new hormonal baseline. But it's also uncertain—you're not done yet, and a period could still arrive unexpectedly.
The Name
Henapause is a playful term acknowledging the liminal quality of this phase. You're "hen" (old slang for woman) approaching "pause." You're no longer in the wild chaos, but you're not fully across the threshold either.
Why It Matters
Henapause is important because:
- It's when many women think they're done but aren't yet
- Pregnancy is still technically possible (though rare)
- Symptoms may shift or lessen, creating false relief before The Pause
- It's a psychological transition—you're saying goodbye to menstruation
Common Experiences
- Cycle absence: 7-11 months without a period (but it could still return)
- Symptom variability: Hot flashes may lessen or persist; sleep may improve or stay fragmented
- Energy shifts: Less intense than Wild Tide, but often a feeling of heaviness or fatigue
- Grief and relief: Mixed emotions about the end of fertility
- "Am I done?" uncertainty: The liminal quality can feel unsettling
Physical Changes
What May Improve
- Hot flashes may decrease in frequency for some women
- Emotional volatility may lessen as estrogen swings calm
- Sleep may improve slightly
What May Continue or Worsen
- Vaginal dryness and atrophy (estrogen is low)
- Joint stiffness and pain
- Thinning hair
- Skin changes (dryness, thinning)
- Weight redistribution (especially around the middle)
The Psychological Passage
Henapause is a threshold. You're standing between your reproductive years and your post-reproductive life. This can bring:
- Grief: For lost fertility, even if you didn't want more children
- Relief: No more periods, no more cycle chaos
- Identity shifts: "Who am I without this?" questions
- Anticipation: Curiosity about what comes next
What Helps
- Acknowledge the transition: This is a rite of passage. Honor it.
- Stay on birth control if needed: Pregnancy is rare but possible until 12 months have passed.
- Support vaginal health: Use lubricants, consider topical estrogen (discuss with clinician).
- Strengthen bones: Weight-bearing exercise, calcium, vitamin D.
- Prepare for The Pause: Research what comes next so you feel informed and ready.
Duration
Henapause lasts as long as it takes to reach 12 months without a period. For some women, this happens quickly (7-8 months in, then done). For others, a period returns at month 10, resetting the clock.
The median time is 7-11 months, but it can extend longer if cycles restart.
When It Ends
Henapause officially ends when you reach 12 consecutive months without a period. At that point, you are in menopause (The Pause).
The Surprise Period
Many women experience a "surprise period" during Henapause, often around month 9 or 10. This resets the 12-month clock. It's frustrating, but normal.
If a period returns:
- Start counting again from day 1
- Consider whether it's a true period or spotting (discuss with clinician if unsure)
- Adjust your expectations—you're not done yet
Phase impact
Henapause is the opposite of baseline—cycles are ending, not cycling regularly.
Electric Cougar Puberty feels like a distant memory. The intensity is different now.
The chaos of Wild Tide has calmed. Henapause is quieter, more still.
**Core experience.** You're in the waiting room between peri and pause.
Henapause leads directly into The Pause once 12 months pass.
Henapause is the final preparatory phase before the Phoenix rise.
Looking back, Henapause is the doorway you walked through to get here.
Typical vs. concerning
Typical: 7-11 months without a period, some lingering symptoms, mixed emotions about the transition. Concerning: Sudden return of very heavy bleeding after months of absence (could indicate other issues), severe pain, any bleeding after 12 months (requires investigation).
When it makes sense to get medical input
If you have heavy bleeding after several months of absence, severe pain, bleeding after the 12-month mark (post-menopause bleeding always requires evaluation), or severe depression/anxiety.