Menopause is the time at "mid-life" when a woman has her last period. It happens when the ovaries stop releasing eggs - usually a gradual process. Sometimes it happens all at once.

Perimenopause is the period of gradual changes that lead into menopause. It affects a woman's hormones, body, and feelings. It can be a stop-start process that may take months or years.

"Climacteric" is another word for the time when a woman passes from the reproductive to the non-reproductive years of her life.

The ovaries' production of estrogen slows down during perimenopause. Hormone levels fluctuate, causing changes just as they did during adolescence.

The changes leading to menopause may seem much more intense than those during puberty. The intensity may be affected by a woman's feelings about aging, including her reactions to social judgments about aging.

Induced menopause occurs if the ovaries are removed or damaged as in hysterectomy or chemotherapy. In this case, menopause begins immediately, with no perimenopause. The time after menopause is called Postmenopause.

The average age for a woman's final period is 51, but it can occur as early as age 40 and as late as age 60. Each woman's experience with menopause is unique. Some women experience very few changes during this time, while others report noticeable symptoms.

The more you know about menopause, the better prepared you will be to manage any menopause-related problems that might come your way.

Indications of menopause

* Achy joints
* Hot flashes
* Temporary and minor decrease in the ability to concentrate or recall
* Changes in sexual desire
* Extreme sweating
* Headaches
* Frequent urination
* Early waking
* Vaginal dryness
* Mood changes
* Insomnia
* Night sweats
* Conditions commonly associated with PMS

Use MellowPause for immediate relief from symptoms:

* Hot flashes
* Insomnia
* Moodiness
* Restlessness and irritability