Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstrual periods that occurs after the loss of ovarian activity. The natural process begins several years before as a woman's ovaries begin to produce less estrogen.

The average age of menopause is 51.5 years and the average life expectancy of women in North America is 76 years. Women now live approximately one-third of their lives in the post menopausal period.

Most women go through a period of irregular menstruation prior to menopause, a perimenopausal transition that lasts, on average, four years.

Current smokers and undernourished women experience an earlier menopause.

After menopause, estrogen production decreases substantially, leading to the occurrence of a number physical and psychological effects on women, which may lead to short term ailments like hot flashes and to long term health problems such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

Managing menopause is an individual decision and may include a balanced regime of hormone replacement therapy, healthy nutritional choices and a routine program of physical activity.