The Menopause can actually occur ay any age and has been known in very rare cases to occur as young as 18 years old. It is caused by the hormonal changes that occur at the end of a woman's period of fertility. Usually it occurs between the ages of thirty five and fifty.

There os a;lso a condition called"menopause transition" or "perimenopause" which beginsabout 6 years before the natural menopause. This is a time when the levels of hormones produced by the aging ovaries fluctuate leading to irregular menstrual patterns (irregularity in the length of the period, the time between periods, and the level of flow) and hot flashes (a sudden warm feeling with blushing). Other changes associated with the perimenopause and menopause include night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, fluctuations in sexual desire (libido), forgetfulness, trouble sleeping and fatigue (probably from the loss of sleep).