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I'm Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis. In my 20 years as a gynecologist, I've helped thousands of women navigate through menopause. Because every woman experiences menopause differently, I often like to review the basics with my patients. That's exactly what I will do here with you. First, the actual definition of menopause is that your period ceases, but your health care professional won't know for sure it was your final period until a full 12 months have passed.

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Natural menopause occurs gradually when your ovaries naturally stop producing the hormone estrogen. That's when fertility ends. So if you're between 45 and 55, menopause may be on your radar. Of course, it can happen earlier or later, but the average age is 51.

Surgical menopause occurs when the ovaries are removed, which is often performed as part of a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure where they remove part or all of your uterus and possibly your ovaries. When you have your ovaries removed, menopause begins immediately, because your ovaries are no longer producing estrogen. If you have not had your ovaries removed during a hysterectomy, you will experience menopause naturally.

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Something you've probably heard a lot about in the news these days is perimenopause, which is a prelude to menopause and can last several years. These are the years when estrogen production from the ovaries starts to decline and symptoms, such as hot flashes, may begin to appear. This is a wise time to check with your doctor so that you're prepared for menopause.