Menopause most commonly effects women between the ages of 48 and 52 and generally lasts an average of five years, yet it can start as early as your mid thirties and may last a whole lot longer. Not all women are the same - the way you experience menopause can be very different from your next-door-neighbour, your cousin or even your sister.
Generally, the word menopause means the “pausing” or cessation of your menses (your periods). This often presents itself as irregular periods (heavier / lighter / longer / shorter/ more frequent) and your periods will eventually stop altogether. The major organs responsible for the production of the hormones that regulate your periods are the ovaries. And the hormones mainly responsible are the estrogens and progesterone.
There are generally three stages of menopause: Peri-menopause, Menopause and Post-menopause.