Recognizing the Four Stages of Menopause Menopause is a natural
transition in a woman’s life, representing the end of fertility.
It is identified as the “final period,” or having gone 12
consecutive months without menstruating. Menopause is a gradual
process which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 60. At
this point, the ovaries no longer produce eggs resulting in the
gradual decrease of hormone production. The accompanying
symptoms that are associated with it include loss of sexual
desire and vaginal dryness. There are typically four stages
which occur in the menopausal process: pre-menopause,
perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Pre-menopause
refers to the time in a woman’s life when she is fertile and
able to bear children. This would range from the time of the
first appearance of menses to the last; however it is more
specifically the time just before the transition to menopause.
The term “pre-menopause” may also describe premature menopause.
Perimenopause is defined as the period leading