Definition of menopause
Menopause is characterized by a disruption of physiological menstrual cycles, due to the cessation of ovarian hormone secretion (estrogen and progesterone).
Age of menopause
Menopause usually occurs between 50 and 52 years, however this can sometimes happen between 40 and 55 years.
Menopause occurs in 2 stages (together called perimenopause) is:
> The premenopausal (which can last several months, even years)
> Menopause (which lasts between 6 months and 1 year). The following period is described as post-menopause.
Note that menopause represents almost half the life of a Western woman considering a life expectancy of about 80 years.
Causes of menopause
Menopause affects all women and is a natural hormonal process, there is a physiological disruption of menstrual cycles, due to the cessation of hormonal secretion from the ovaries (estrogen and progesterone).
