The average age of menopause is 51 in the U.S. Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries stop working and hormone levels drop significantly. It is diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period.
Menopause symptoms vary from woman to woman. One of the first symptoms is period changes or menstrual irregularities. Hot flashes and night sweats may soon follow.
Research shows ethnic minorities and women of color tend to have symptoms that last a very long time (up to 10 years) and sometimes they have more severe symptoms. Body weight, environment, medications, stressors, diet and alcohol consumption also can affect menopausal symptoms and their severity.
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