Menopause describes the period in a woman’s life that signals the end of her reproductive years. During menopause, menses decreases, the ovaries stop producing eggs, and the body decreases its production of estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes cause the symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural occurrence in a woman’s life, which usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 55.During menopause, ovulation ceases, eliminating reproductive ability, and menstruation becomes less frequent and eventually stops. In some women, menstrual activity stops suddenly. For most women, activity slows as the amount and duration of menstrual flow tapers over time. Frequently, periods become more closely or more widely spaced. This irregularity may last for two or three years before menstruation ends.
