Menopause Body Changes

The physiology of menopause – the biological process of the permanent end of your menstrual period – is complex and is not yet fully understood.

So what do we know?

Perimenopause is the time before menopause. Click here to understand some of the main hormonal changes happening to your body during perimenopause – as it will help you make sense of what happens to your body during menopause.

Our ovaries age over time and our pool of eggs (which declines from the time of our birth) reaches a critical low by menopause. At this point, the growth of follicles – which are tiny fluid-filled sacs each containing an egg – stops. Then ovulation stops.

With the permanent end of your menstrual periods comes a drop in the levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormones made/produced by the ovaries.

These hormones have vital roles in the function of the body and, as the levels decline, contribute to both menopausal symptoms experienced and future health risks.

My Menopause SA

Evidence-based menopause information for South African women.

Page last reviewed: 1 March 2026
Next review due: 1 March 2027

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All Understanding Perimenopause & Menopause

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