Menopause is the cessation of menstrual cycles. Menopause occurs when your ovaries stop producing estrogen, the hormone that controls the reproductive cycle. Anything that damages your ovaries or stops estrogen can cause premature menopause. Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. It is the time in a woman’s life when the function of the ovaries ceases.
If you are experiencing a decrease in sexual desire, have irregular menses, vaginal dryness, adult acne, thinning of hair, chronic fatigue (feel extremely tired for no obvious reason), hair growth on the face especially on the chin, upper lip, mood swings, dry skin, sleep disturbances, joint pains you should know that you are heading for menopause. The average age for menopause is between 50 and 53. However, these symptoms can begin any time after 40 and go on for some time unless you do something about it. Some women may experience all the symptoms while others may sail through it with no significant symptoms.