Menopause is not a medical illness. It is a natural biological process that all women go through.  Knowing what to expect and how to deal with the changes that occur during menopause is vital to making a smooth transition.

Although it is rare for a woman to have menopause before age 40, it can happen anytime between the ages of 30 and the mid-50s, and even later. Often, the onset of menopause is earlier for smokers than for nonsmokers.

Only a few generations ago, few women lived beyond menopause. Today, most women today will live more than half their lives after menopause.

Blood and urine tests, and vaginal smears can be used to measure hormone levels that may indicate when a woman is close to menopause or has already gone through menopause. Examples of these tests include: FSH, Estradiol, and LH.

Approximately 75% of women report some bothersome symptoms during menopause, but the severity and frequency of symptoms varies from woman to woman. The most common symptoms are hot flashes and vaginal atrophy (when tissue of the vagina becomes thinner, drier, and more delicate, and begins to shrink).

You do not have to suffer or "tough out" the physical, emotional, and biological symptoms of menopause. Your physician can familiarize you with many different options that are available for relieving bothersome menopausal symptoms, avoiding menopause-related complications, and improving your overall health during this key phase of your life.

A woman can become pregnant during perimenopause, even if periods are irregular. Precautions should be taken if pregnancy is not wanted.

Depression is not a symptom of menopause.  While there may be a relationship between changes in estrogen levels and a woman's mood, other factors may also influence mood shifts. These include stress, family changes (marital issues, children leaving home, etc.), and feeling fatigued.