What is the Definition of Menopause?
Article updated and reviewed by Christina S. Chu, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pennsylvania on May 11, 2005. Natural menopause is the end of menstruation and childbearing capability that occurs in most women around the ages of 50 to 52. Known as the “change of life,” menopause is the last stage of a gradual biological process in which the ovaries reduce their production of female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Surgical menopause is the end of menstruation and childbearing capability that occurs as a result of the woman’s ovaries and/or uterus being removed. top ^ Description of Menopause Ovaries begin to decline in hormone production during the mid-30s and typically continue to decline to around the age of 47; this phase is called perimenopause. During this phase, the process accelerates and hormones fluctuate more, causing irregular menstrual cycles and unpredictable episodes of heavy bleedin
