Menopause is one of the three main hormonal chapters in a woman’s life: reproduction, menopause and post menopause.

Menopause is the final menstrual period confirmed by 12 months of amenorrhea (no period). This occurs due to the ovaries stopping egg production and decreasing estrogen production. Menopause can also be caused when ovaries are removed in surgery or as a side effect of certain medications like chemotherapy.

Estrogen is the hormone that controls menstruation and plays a large role in many other parts of our physiology such as mood, temperature regulation, skin, bone heath . . . the list goes on.

The average age of menopause is 51-52 years; however, the best predictor of menopause age onset is family history. Over 50 million women in the United States will be postmenopausal by the year 2020. In fact, postmenopausal women are the fastest growing segment of the population!