Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her body begins to change as the ovaries start to shut down. When the ovaries shut down there is also the shutting down of progesterone and estrogen in a woman's life. Menstruation will start to diminish and end during this shutting down of the ovaries. Menopause occurs at a different age for all women, although the general age is from 50 to 54.

Menopause is a normal part of aging and happens to all women. If for some reason, a woman has to have her ovaries surgically removed, she will go into early menopause. If her uterus is removed and not her ovaries, she won't have menopausal symptoms yet. This is because her ovaries will still be making estrogen and progesterone.

At the onset women don't generally experience symptoms. Over time, as the ovaries produce less of the hormones, the monthly cycle will be affected. One month she may experience heavy menstruation and the next month she may only have a couple of days of spotting.

Here are some signals to watch for:

(1) hot flashes
(2) crankiness
(3) unusual sweating
(4) sleep disturbance (
5) vaginal dryness, often leading to uncomfortable sex and/ or urination (
6) mood swings that may include depression and/ or anger
(7) unwanted hair on the face, chest, arms, and stomach
(8) trouble concentrating and remembering
(9) low frustration level within her whole mood.

The best advice for a middle-aged woman is to look for information on menopause. The more she knows about it, the more she will know what to expect and how to cope with it. She will also feel less alone in the world when the symptoms appear.

As with so many other aspects of our lives, a balanced and healthy diet, and exercise will go a long way in making women feel better. Eating healthy, nutritious foods will help minimize their symptoms. Vitamin and minerals taken as supplements are essential as well. Some women experience severe menopausal symptoms and may wish to consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT). During these years, it is more important than ever for women to regularly visit their doctors. They may experience unrelated symptoms and not be able to tell the difference without a medical examination. It may also be beneficial to join a menopause support group, where they will meet other women with similar experiences. This contact can go a long way in helping women cope with menopause.