What does menopause signify in a woman's life?

Menopause signifies the termination of all ovulation and menstruation in a woman's life. This natural biological process typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. During menopause, the ovaries cease to produce eggs, and hormonal changes lead to the cessation of menstrual cycles. This shift signifies a transition to a non-reproductive phase, characterized by a decrease in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. The completion of this process marks that a woman is no longer fertile.

The other options do not accurately describe menopause; for example, the onset of menstrual irregularities often occurs before menopause during a phase known as perimenopause, rather than marking its beginning. Similarly, menopause is associated with a decrease in fertility, not an increase, and it certainly does not signify a restart of regular cycles after an interruption, as it represents the complete halt of menstrual cycles.