Menopause is the time in a patient's reproductive lifecycle when they undergo multiple changes related to hormone shifts, causing cessation of ovulation and menstruation. The average age of occurrence is at 51.2 years. It is clinically defined as 1 year without menses.

Periods can stop abruptly, or the transition can occur with irregular-length cycles over many months to years. Often, patients experience symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, vulvovaginal dryness, difficulty sleeping, mood symptoms, and a change in energy levels. Factors that may contribute to an earlier age of menopause are smoking, alcohol use disorder, certain autoimmune disorders, chemotherapy, surgery, and some genetic disorders.

The time directly preceding menopause is called perimenopause and sometimes can last 4-8 years. Perimenopause begins with the first irregular menses (usually a change in cycle length) and culminates at menopause with the final menses.

Related topic: drug-induced menstrual changes