更年期是女性生命中一个自然的现象。妇女到了四十五至五十五岁之间，卵巢开始缺乏足够卵胞来接受脑下垂体分泌的刺激，以致周期性的雌雄激素及孕激素越来越少，影响子宫内膜周期性的增厚、剥落及出血。结果月经周期变得不规则，时早时迟，经量时多时少。一般而言这些情况会持续一段时期，直至月经不来。当妇女超过一年以上没有月经，才可说是绝经。
Menopause, also known as climacteric, is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods stop and she is no longer able to have children.It is said to have occurred when a woman has not had a period for a year.[3] This typically occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.Menopause occurs in all women.
Before menopause a woman's periods are usually irregular. Around menopause there is often hot flashes which typically last 30 seconds to ten minutes and maybe associated with shivering, sweating, and a red blotchy rash.Typically hot flashes stop occurring after a year or two. Other symptoms may include: vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.[4] The severity of symptoms varies between women.While often linked to heart disease and osteoporosis these primarily occur due to increasing age and not any direct relationship with menopause. Some previous problems that may have been present like endometriosis or painful periods may improve with menopause.
