Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her normal menstrual periods stop and she can no longer become pregnant. Menopause can occur anytime after the age of 35, but the typical age of onset is in the late 40s. A woman’s ovaries, the organs that produce eggs, stop making them and female hormones at this time.

Two important hormones, estradiol and progesterone, are made by the ovaries in a cyclical fashion and help to maintain a normal menstrual cycle. When a woman approaches menopause, cyclical hormone production from the ovaries stops, leading to a cessation in monthly menstrual periods.

The menopausal change is slow and usually takes two to five years to complete. During the so-called peri-menopausal period, hormone levels can fluctuate from high to low from one month to the next. Some months a woman may have a period but then go for several months without a period. It is important to note that during this time, a woman may still be able to get pregnant.

Menopause happens naturally as a woman ages. However, menopause can also occur for other reasons, including the removal of the ovaries for cancer or other medical reasons like endometriosis, excessive exposure to radiation or chemotherapy, pituitary gland disorders, or very poor health.