The menopause occurs when levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone fall and your body stops producing eggs. Menstruation ceases permanently and you're no longer able to conceive. It can be a time of great physical and emotional change that can overwhelm you if you don't know what to expect.
There's no predicting when the menopause will occur. Generally, it's between the ages of 45 and 55, but for a few women it can start as early as 35 - or as late as 60. This doesn't mean you're in any way abnormal, although an unusually early menopause (before the age of 36, sometimes as young as 18) may have implications that need to be addressed. Usually, there'll be some sign that the menopause is approaching. Periods can gradually become further apart, they may be scantier and not last as long. Alternatively, some women experience heavier bleeding with shorter gaps between. Occasionally, menstruation just stops altogether with no warning.