Final answer:
Menopause is the cessation of menstruation, typically occurring between 45 and 55 years of age, signifying the end of a woman's reproductive years due to decreased ovarian sensitivity to FSH and LH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cessation of menstruation is most likely associated with menopause. Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive years, typically occurring between the ages of 45 and 55. During this period, the ovaries lose sensitivity to Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), leading to less frequent menstrual periods that eventually stop altogether. As a result, there are still eggs and potential follicles on the ovaries, but without the stimulation of FSH and LH, no viable egg is released, resulting in the loss of reproductive capacity in women.
Menopause can be preceded by peri-menopause, where menstrual cycles become irregular. Symptoms that may arise during this transition include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, mood swings, difficulty focusing, changes in hair distribution, and the potential for uterine fibroids and irregular bleeding.