|
|
Article: menopause
- Article from:
- The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
CopyrightThe Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information)
|
menopause or climacteric , transitional phase in a woman's life when the
ovaries
stop releasing eggs, ovarian production of
estrogen
and other hormones tapers off, and
menstruation
ceases. It results from declining ovarian function due to aging of the ovaries and is usually a gradual process. In the United States, natural menopause occurs at age 51 on average. Premature menopause (due to premature aging of the ovaries, debilitating disease, or infection) and artificial menopause (due to destruction of the ovaries by surgery, irradiation, or purposeful hormone therapy, as in severe
premenstrual syndrome
) may occur much earlier.
Menopause may pass with no signs other than ...