Menopausal Health
Menopausal Overview
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menses resulting from the loss of ovarian follicular function. This loss of functioning can be induced spontaneously (naturally) or through medical intervention (surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy). Natural menopause is recognized to have occurred after 12 months of amenorrhea that is not associated with a pathologic cause.
The stages of menopause include:
Premenopause — the reproductive phase.
Perimenopause — defined as the 3-5 year period before menopause. This phase ends 12 months after the final menstrual period.
Postmenopause — the time period following the final menstrual period.
For more detailed information about the stages of menopause, download the Dynamic Process of Menopausal Transition (PDF).
Download Adobe® Reader®
The population of women in their menopausal and postmenopausal years is growing significantly. As of 2005, approximately 30% of women in the United States were aged 50 and older.
View our interactive Education Resources.
Conferences More 
201212-00