1. What Happens In Menopause In your late 30s, egg supply begins to decline in number and quality. Hormone production changes May notice a shortened menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms that you didn't have before.

2. What Happens In Menopause Perimenopause As egg supply decline, ovulation and menstruation become irregular. It can start as early as your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. It continues for 2 to 8 years before menstrual cycles end.

3. What Happens In Menopause Perimenopause During this time, ovaries are sometimes producing too much estrogen and/or progesterone and at other times too little

4. What Happens In Menopause Perimenopause Progesterone is likely to fluctuate more than before Which can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding

5. What Happens In Menopause Perimenopause If you have heavy or unexpected vaginal bleeding, see your doctor Make sure it is not caused by any serious condition

6. What Happens In Menopause Menopause About 6 months to a year before periods stop, your estrogen starts to drop. When it drops past certain point, menstrual cycles stop.

7. What Happens In Menopause Menopause After a year of no menstrual periods, you are said to have "reached menopause.“

8. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause During the first year after menopause, estrogen levels continue to decline It's normal having symptoms, such as hot flashes or insomnia, during first year or two

9. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause After hormone levels reach a stable low point, symptoms may subside. Some continue to have symptoms for years, if their estrogen levels are very low

10. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause After menopause, body fat tissue continues to produce estrogen. Women with low body fat sometimes have lower estrogen levels.

11. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause Low estrogen is part of healthy, natural state of postmenopause Low estrogen reduces your cancer risk Estrogen is linked to some types of cancerous cell growth

12. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause Estrogen is vital for skin and bone health Low estrogen creates some health concerns for the postmenopausal woman.

13. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause Bone loss. Low estrogen levels after menopause speed bone loss It increases risk of osteoporosis

14. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause Skin changes. Low estrogen leads to low collagen, which is a building block of skin and connective tissue. You may have thinner, dryer, wrinkled skin after menopause

15. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause The vaginal lining and the lower urinary tract also thin and weaken. This make sexual activity difficult It increases risk of vaginal and urinary tract infections

16. What Happens In Menopause Postmenopause Tooth and gum changes. Low estrogen affects connective tissue It increases risk of tooth loss and gum disease