Menopause, sometimes referred to as “the change” or “change of life,” occurs when a woman’s body no longer releases eggs, and her ovaries substantially reduce production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

A woman is considered to have entered menopause when she does not have a menstrual cycle (also known as a period) for 12 consecutive months. In most cases, this occurs when a woman is between 45 to 55 years old, although for various reasons it can happen much earlier or later in life.

Traditionally, menopause has been viewed as the end of a woman’s childbearing years. However, the exact date of menopause can be hard to pinpoint, and it is possible for women considered to be postmenopausal to still conceive a child. In addition, recent advances in medical technology are allowing more menopausal and postmenopausal women to become pregnant (e.g., through use of a donor egg).

There are about 37.5 million women in the United States reaching or currently at menopause (ages 40 to 59 years), according to data collected as part of the census in 2000. Menopause may trigger symptoms that cause women varying levels of discomfort. These can include hot flashes, changes in vaginal tissue, weight gain and mood swings. Menopause also raises the risk of various health disorders, including weakened bones (osteoporosis) and various heart conditions.

For many women who are menopausal or postmenopausal, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended. However, there are both positive and negative factors with this form of treatment. HRT is believed to increase the risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer, but also may decrease the risk of other conditions, including heart disease. For this reason, women and their physicians must consider the use of HRT as treatment based on their individual health issues.

Women can reduce the risk of experiencing some of the symptoms and conditions with various lifestyle habits, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Because of increased life expectancy, women today may live as much as one-third to one-half of their lives after menopause. For this reason, women should be careful to make lifestyle choices that can help them live healthy, productive lives during these years.