In the previous chapter on Puberty, it was stated that the menstrual function began in the average girl at fifteen years of age and continued until the forty-fifth or fiftieth year.
At this later age it ceases, together with her sexual or child-bearing capabilities and is known as the Menopause or Change of Life.
This constitutes a period from the beginning of irregularities in the appearance of the menstrual flow, until it has actually ceased, which period usually lasts two and one-half to three years.
Thousands of women know nothing of the period which, like puberty, they must pass through, but are entirely ignorant of the process.
It is usual for them to look toward this age with dread and foreboding; where a little knowledge of the nature of the process would enable them to enter upon this period physically prepared, which would insure their safe arrival through this dreaded and much-feared period.
The greatest change occurring in the woman at this time is that which goes on in the ovaries. They cease to do their work and ovulation stops.
The first indication that the woman has, that this is likely to occur, is by the ceasing of the menses or monthlies.
Ovulation, however, very often continues for several months, even a year after menstruation has entirely ceased.
The glandular tissues of the uterus, tubes and ovaries degenerate, which is said to account for the Menopause, and that of the ovaries occurs later than the tubes and uterus, which explains the continuance of ovulation after the menses have stopped.
In a few women the Menopause is accompanied by very little or almost no discomfort at all, just a sudden stopping of the monthlies announces to them that this period has come.