According to the North American Menopause Society, 1.8 million American women will reach menopause this year. It most commonly occurs between 40 to 58, with an average age of 51.
Smokers tend to reach menopause at an earlier age than nonsmokers.
Declining hormone levels affect more than menstrual function. Women may experience hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, urinary incontinence, fatigue, sleep problems, mood changes, problems with concentration, anxiety, headaches, and loss of skin elasticity. Menopause and Loss of Libido Testosterone is a sex hormone normally associated with men. But women s bodies make small amounts of it. When the ovaries stop making estrogen, they also stop production of testosterone.