What typically begins to occur at menopause?

At menopause, a significant hormonal shift occurs in a woman's body, leading to the end of menstruation. This transition typically happens between the ages of 45 and 55 and signifies that the ovaries have ceased producing eggs and significantly reduced hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone. The cessation of menstruation is the hallmark of menopause, indicating that a woman can no longer conceive naturally.

While it is true that menstrual cycles may become irregular in the years leading up to menopause, which is known as perimenopause, the definitive marker of menopause itself is the complete stop of menstruation. This process is accompanied by various physiological and emotional changes due to the fluctuating hormone levels, but the stopping of periods is the most characteristic event marking the transition into menopause.

The options suggesting that the body produces more estrogen or that hormone levels stabilize do not accurately reflect the changes occurring during menopause, where estrogen levels, in fact, decline.