Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of every woman’s life. Medically, menopause is defined as the end of menstruation or your last menstrual period. It results in part from a reduced production of oestrogen by the ovaries. In Australia and New Zealand the average age at which women experience menopause is 51 but the range for women is between 45 to 55. Peri-menopause refers to the year or so prior to the last natural menstrual period.

Menopause can also occur early (under 40 years) in approximately 1% of women and also after ovarian surgery or chemotherapy. The reasons behind early menopause are unclear.