Menopause is not a lengthy process but a specific point in time, officially diagnosed retrospectively after an individual has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This milestone marks the permanent end of menstruation and the natural conclusion of the reproductive years. At this stage, the ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and have significantly reduced their production of the hormone estrogen. The average age for reaching menopause in North America is 51 to 52, though it is a normal part of aging for most women and typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.