It's not unusual to hear a lot of talk about menopause. Considering that every woman eventually experiences it, it's easy to see why. Menopause is, essentially, the cessation of monthly menstruation. In effect, menopause officially signals the end of a woman's child-bearing years and marks the point at which she will no longer be fertile. Beyond these basic scientific facts, though, it is important to note that menopause can inflict havoc on a woman's life. By learning the basics about menopause: what it is, when it occurs, what its symptoms are - and how to manage them - women can prepare themselves and have a much better chance of getting through this major life change with grace and ease.

When Does Menopause Occur?

Like so many things, menopause does not arrive like clockwork, or at any precise or exact period of time. Over a gradual period of time, a woman's ovaries begin to work less efficiently. Approximately after the age 40, this process speeds up and as a result, the woman becomes less and less fertile. Most women quit menstruating around age 50; some stop as young as age 40, while others continue as late as age 60. Without a doubt, there is a vast window of time during which menopause can occur - and there's no way to predict when it will.

What Are The Symptoms Of Menopause?

The symptoms of menopause are, perhaps, the most well-known thing about it. As women approach menopause, they often begin experiencing symptoms of some sort. In fact, approximately 70% of women will experience menopause symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• hot flushes
• night sweats
• mood swings
• weight gain
• depression

Why do these symptoms happen? Hormones are largely to blame. When menopause occurs, levels of estrogen and progesterone drop. This decline in the levels of hormones can trigger the many common symptoms of menopause.

Treating Menopause Symptoms

There are several different tips, tricks and treatments for handling and managing the symptoms of menopause. What works for one woman might not work for another. One of the most popular treatments nowadays, though, is hormone replacement therapy. Doctors prescribe prescription medication that is customised to fit a woman's precise needs in terms of her levels of estrogen and progesterone. In turn, a compounding pharmacy receives the prescription and carries out the doctor's instructions to the letter. As a result, the patient receives a customised dose of medication that will help balance out the levels of those hormones in her body. Often, the problematic symptoms of menopause are successfully managed in this way, and a woman is able to go on about her life without incident or discomfort.