Final answer:
In the United States, the average age for the onset of menopause is 52 years, but it can occur anywhere between the ages of 45 and 55. Several factors such as health and lifestyle choices can influence the timing of menopause.
Step-by-step explanation:
Average Age for the Onset of Menopause
The average age for the onset of menopause in the United States is typically 52 years. However, this age can vary as menopause may occur at any point between approximately 45 and 55 years of age. Female fertility begins to decline in the late thirties and continues to do so until menopause, which marks the end of a woman's reproductive years when she has not menstruated for a full year, thus becoming postmenopausal. Factors like health and lifestyle, including smoking, can cause an earlier onset of menopause.