Clinical Definition
When a woman’s ovaries no longer release eggs and she hasn’t menstrated in one year, she has entered menopause. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive period, when her body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone.
In Our Own Words
A women officially enters menopause when she hasn’t had a menstrual cycle in one year, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. After menopause, a woman can no longer become pregnant. While every woman is affected differently by menopause, it can be characterized by symptoms such as hot flashes, moodiness and irregular sleep.
Because a woman’s body begins to produce less estrogen and progesterone after menopause, post-menopausal women are more prone to several health problems, including osteoporosis and heart disease.
Symptoms and Side Effects
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep disturbances
- Vaginal dryness
