menopause

(noun)

The ending of menstruation; the time in a woman's life when this happens.

Related Terms

Examples of menopause in the following topics:

  • Physical Development in Adulthood

    • Women experience a gradual decline in fertility as they approach the onset of menopause—the end of the menstrual cycle—around 50 years old.
    • Because of the shifting hormone levels, women going through menopause often experience a range of other symptoms, such as anxiety, poor memory, inability to concentrate, depressive mood, irritability, mood swings, and less interest in sexual activity.

  • Sexual Dysfunction and Disease

    • Poor lubrication may result from insufficient excitement and stimulation; hormonal changes caused by menopause, pregnancy, or breast-feeding; irritation from contraceptive creams and foams; or fear, anxiety, or past sexual trauma.