Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive years. It occurs when the ovaries gradually reduce and eventually stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle. A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there is no other medical reason for the absence of menstruation.
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although the timing can vary from woman to woman. The transition leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, may begin several years earlier and is often accompanied by hormonal fluctuations that can cause a variety of physical and emotional symptoms.