Final answer:
Menopause is a midlife transition, often called peri-menopause, where hormone secretion changes, causing irregular menstrual cycles and eventually leading to the end of a woman's reproductive years.
Step-by-step explanation:
Menopause occurs during a midlife period changing hormone secretion called peri-menopause. This is a transitional phase where a woman's menstrual cycle becomes irregular but has not ceased entirely. Although estrogen levels may remain similar to pre-transition levels, the progesterone produced by the corpus luteum decreases, leading to potential abnormal growth of the endometrium and increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. Symptoms such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and mood swings may occur.
The complete cessation of menstrual cycles, known as menopause, results in the loss of reproductive capacity due to the decreased sensitivity of the ovaries to FSH and LH, generally occurring between ages 45 and 55. Post-menopause is the period after a woman has not menstruated for a full year.