Final answer:
Women may live for several decades after menopause due to the Grandmother Hypothesis, where they help raise grandchildren, ensuring the survival of their genes. Menopause generally occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, marking the end of a woman's natural reproductive capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evolutionary Perspective on Post-Menopausal Longevity: From an evolutionary perspective, the reason why women, who stop reproducing in their 50s, continue to live for several more decades is related to the concept known as the Grandmother Hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that older women can increase the survival chances of their grandchildren by providing valuable resources such as knowledge, food, and care. Supporting non-reproductive functions like this can ensure the continuation of their genes through successive generations. This explanation aligns with the evolution of extended post-reproductive lifespans in humans. Menopause is the time when a woman's menstrual cycles cease, typically around age 52, which signifies the end of natural reproductive capacity. Even after menopause, women play a significant social and familial role that contributes to the thriving of their kin. This may include supporting their own children as they raise grandchildren, thereby enhancing the reproductive success of the next generation and ensuring the passing of genes indirectly. It should be noted that female fertility declines with age even before menopause. Fertility peaks in a woman's twenties and then slowly declines until around the age of 35, after which it declines more rapidly until menopause occurs, usually between 45 and 55 years of age.