Most Common Questions What is menopause?
Menopause is defined as the end of menstruation. Medically this is confirmed by not having a period for 12 months, in a row, due to a depletion of ovarian follicles (eggs). In the United States the average age for menopause is 51. It is also natural for women to experience menopause in there forties and even in their sixties. Every woman is different. Menopause can come about as part of the aging process or as a response to certain medications and/or illnesses. Some illnesses and disorders that can stop a period for 12 consecutive months are thyroid disease, abnormalities of the pituitary gland, eating disorders, too little body fat or weight, or serous systemic illnesses like cancer. Medications like those used in chemotherapy often bring on a menopause by eliminating a period for a year or so. The two most notable signs of menopause, along with the missing periods are hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
