Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycles end and she can no longer get pregnant naturally. As a woman nears age 50 or so, the ovaries are close to running out of eggs, estrogen levels begin to drop, and the first signs of menopause may appear. The menopausal transition takes an average of 4 to 5 years, and during that time hormone levels are likely to fluctuate widely. Periods may become irregular, but a woman may still be able to get pregnant. Once the ovaries have stopped producing eggs, however, fertility ends. After menopause, women may experience sexual dysfunction as a result of lower levels of hormones.

For a detailed discussion of symptoms, treatment options, and the pros and cons of treatment, see our menopause section.