Menopause, the permanent end of menstruation and fertility, is a natural biological process in a woman’s life. It is not a sickness and it does not start when the menstruation stops. In fact, it starts much earlier and it presents itself through a number of different physical and emotional symptoms.
We should not associate menopause with loss of femininity or sexual drive.
However, many women go through changes that affect these areas. Remember: if you are finding it difficult to adjust to the different changes in your body, you should get the help of a physician.
The process of menopause takes over years, that is why it is commonly divided into two stages: Perimenopause and postmenopause.
Perimenopause is the time you begin to experience menopausal signs and symptoms. It may last four to five years.
Twelve months after a woman’s last period it is considered she has reached menopause. The years that follow are called postmenopause. Postmenopause is the time when there is much less production of estrogen and no progesterone and the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs.
