The ovaries stop functioning and eggs are no longer ovulated on a monthly basis. This is a welcome relief to many, but an unwelcome sign of infertility to those racing against the biological clock. The lack of estrogen also has a systemic effect, resulting in the infamous hot flashes, thermal receptors are kicked into overdrive in an effort to compensate. Also, the vagina looses some elasticity due to moisture deprivation, causing painful intercourse. The brain is also affected.
Cognitive disruptions occur, creating memory lapses and learning challenges.
Menopause has sometimes been likened to puberty in reverse, one gearing up, the other gearing down. This is a natural progression in every women's life. Others have menopause induced by chemotherapy or pelvic radiation. In the U.S. in the year 2000, there will be an estimated 41.75 million women over the age of 50. A woman's life expectancy is 79.7 years which means most women spend on third to one half of their lifetime postmenopausal.