Menopause is a hormonal process that usually has three phases. It occurs when a woman has not menstruated for 12 consecutive months

Once displaced from her matrimonial home, she and her three young children, the youngest being only 10 months old, were luckily taken in by her mother, who was also widowed.

The time leading up to menopause, between 35-45 years usually, is called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.