Final answer:
Menopause marks the end of a woman's reproductive period when the sensitivity of the ovaries to reproductive hormones declines, leading to the cessation of the menstrual cycle and associated symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When no fertilized egg is implanted into the uterus, the endometrium breakdown is initiated, leading to the onset of the menstrual cycle. This process is triggered by a decrease in the production of estrogen and progesterone by the degenerating corpus luteum, a condition associated with perimenopause and menopause.
Menopause typically occurs in women during their mid-40s to mid-50s and is signified by a loss of reproductive capacity, due to decreased sensitivity of the ovaries to FSH and LH. This transition, which includes the cessation of the menstrual cycle and the end of natural reproductive capability, is accompanied by various symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and changes in hair distribution.