What is Menopause?

Menopausal Transition
Although menopause — a woman’s final menstrual period — is a single event in a woman’s life, our bodies are undergoing a lot of changes before we have our last period. This transitional time is called perimenopause, meaning “around menopause.”

It is during this transitional time that hormones are changing. As a result, changes in the menstrual cycle are noticed. But it is not until 12 months in a row have passed without a period that you are considered to be postmenopause, or past menopause.

Menopause & Age
Most women reach a natural menopause between ages 45 and 55. A few women, however, reach menopause early, or before age 40. This is called premature menopause, and it can run in a woman’s family. But premature menopause can also result from a disease process or some other cause. So, if a woman stops having periods before age 40, she should be evaluated by her health care provider.

Many women wonder when they will reach menopause. Here are some guidelines:

Consider the age at which your mother or older sister reached menopause. If you smoke or have smoked in the past, you could reach menopause two or even three years earlier than the average nonsmoker.

For some women, an early menopause is brought on suddenly if both of her ovaries are surgically removed. This can occur with or without the removal of the uterus. However, removal of the uterus with one or both of the ovaries left intact, does not cause menopause because hormones continue to be made in the ovaries. But it may make menopause occur somewhat earlier.

Menopause can also be brought on by radiation treatment or chemotherapy for a disease such as cancer.