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Menopause is part of the
normal life cycle of women. When a woman has passed
through menopause, her monthly periods end, and
she no longer can get pregnant naturally. Menopause
brings new kind of life with freedom from pregnancy
and child-raising responsibilities, which is welcomed
by many women. The average age for menopause is
about 51 years old.
The changes of menopause begin when your ovaries,
the organs that form eggs, no longer produce eggs,
and their production of female hormones decreases.
There are two hormones made in the ovaries, estrogen
and progesterone, help to keep a woman's monthly
period going in a regular cycle. When you approach
mid-life, estrogen begins to drop to low levels.
The reproductive organs gradually shut down, just
as they gradually became active during puberty.
Eventually your periods will end.
The menopausal transition may take from one to
10 years, and during that time hormone levels
can be higher and lower than normal. Some months
you may have a period and in others you may not.
During this time, you may still be able to get
pregnant.
Menopause usually happens naturally as women age
increases. Menopause also can occur for other
reasons, however, including removal of both ovaries,
radiation or chemotherapy, gland disorders, or
very poor health.
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