It's difficult to generalize about menopause because for every woman, the experience is different.
Some women have frequent, severe symptoms in the years leading up to and following menopause.
Others may notice some occasional, minor changes for a year or two. For still others, menopause is barely noticeable. Their menstrual periods simply stop. But that attitude is changing, partly because the health-conscious baby boomers are reaching the age of menopause. To better understand menopause, consider what normally happens in a woman's body.