ABSTRACT
I. MENOPAUSE The menopause is defined by the World Health Organization as the point in time of permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss of ovarian function [1]. Clinically, the menopause is characterized by persistent amenorrhea for a period of 12 months. The perimenopause is defined as the time period of changing ovarian function preceding the menopause to 1 year following the final menses, generally lasting between 2 and 8 years. Today, the average age of menopause is approximately 51 years [2-5]. Laboratory findings in the menopause generally reveal serum estradiol levels of less than 40 pg/mL, with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels more than 40 mIU/mL. These values may vary depending on the assay used.
