Answer: Menopause occurs because of the winding-down of the female cycle, as the hormonal system moves from its reproductive function to "maintenance" for the rest of your life. For most women, this happens in their early 50s.
There are three stages when dealing with menopause:
Perimenopause. When the ovaries gradually make less estrogen, a woman will start to enter the perimenopause stage. Perimenopause can last a few months or years until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop producing eggs.
Menopause. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped producing eggs and making most of their estrogen. It also has been a year since a woman had her last menstrual period.
Postmenopause. These are the years after menopause where menopausal symptoms ease for most women.
During menopause, women will experience many changes in their body, mind and emotions. Hot flashes & night sweats are most common symptoms for menopausal women. But, many other symptoms, such as irritability, weight management issues, lack of libido, vaginal dryness, occasional sleeplessness, mood and memory concerns , stress and fatigue , are also associated with menopause.