Menopause

Menopause literally means the last menstrual period. As a term it is commonly used to refer to the stage in a woman’s life when she is undergoing changes in her menstrual cycle. It is common to say that if a woman has not had a period for one year than she has 'gone through menopause'.

However women generally experience changes in the time leading up to their last period and this is known as the peri-menopause, climacteric or 'the change'. This stage can vary any time from months to years and affect women in different ways.

Information on menopause includes:

• Women's health information package
• Clearinghouse connector- menopause

Go to specific health issues introductory page.