- Post-menopause [Becker, 2001]: Menopause is the age associated with complete cessation of menstrual cycles, menses, and implies the loss of reproductive potential by ovarian failure. This typically occurs around age 50, although it may occur earlier. A practical definition accepts menopause after one year without menses with an appropriate clinical profile, e.g., age appropriate, >45 years, in the absence of hormone replacement therapy. In questionable cases, a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) > 40 MlU/ml and estradiol < 40 pg/ml (<140 pmol/L) is confirmatory (these levels are suggested guidelines and may need to be adjusted for specific laboratories/assays