♫♫♫ Larissa is 52 and is starting to notice changes  with her body. She wonders — is this menopause? What is menopause? Menopause is a normal part of  aging for women. Specifically, it is a point in time 12 months  after a woman’s last period.   The years leading up to that point are called  the menopausal transition — or perimenopause. The menopausal transition typically  begins between ages 45 and 55, and lasts about seven years, but can be as long as 14 years. How long it lasts can be influenced  by lifestyle factors such as smoking, the age the menopausal transition  begins, and Race and ethnicity. During the menopausal transition, estrogen  and progesterone levels — two hormones made by the ovaries — vary greatly. Women may  experience unpredictable hot flashes, sleep problems, changes in monthly cycles, and  other symptoms. A woman has reached menopause when she hasn’t had a period for a full  year, after which she enters postmenopause. Not everyone’s experience is the same, but remember, menopause is a normal part  of aging and not a disease that must be treated. If you have questions about the  menopausal transition, talk with a doctor. Learn more www.nia.nih.gov/menopause.