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What is the menopause?

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Strictly speaking, the menopause is a woman's last menstrual period. However, most women think of the menopause as the time of life leading up to, and after, their last period. In reality, your periods don't just stop. First they tend to become
less frequent. It can take several years for a woman to go through the
menopause completely. Woman are said to have gone through the menopause
(be post-menopausal) when they have not had a period at all for one
year. It is often called the 'change of life'. It occurs because as you get older your ovaries make less oestrogen (the main female hormone). The average age of the menopause in the UK is 51. However, it may be sooner or later than this. Early menopause (occurring in your 30's or early 40's) can run in families.

If you have had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) before your menopause

Your ovaries will still make oestrogen. However, it is likely that the level of oestrogen will fall at an earlier age than average. As you do not have periods after a hysterectomy, it may not be clear when you are in 'the menopause'. However, you may develop some typical symptoms when your level of oestrogen falls.

If you have your ovaries removed
You are likely to develop menopausal symptoms straight away.

- Next: possible symptoms and problems of the menopause