Menopause is the time in a woman's life where her period stops for good. It's a natural part of the aging process, and after menopause she is not longer able to become pregnant. Unless there is another medical condition causing her periods to stop, a woman is considered menopausal when she has not had her period for a year. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 42 and 56. Perimenopause classifies the years leading up to menopause where a woman is beginning to have symptoms associated with menopause. These changes could happen over several years. Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can range from mild to severe, including things like: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and insomnia. These menopause symptoms should go away once a woman has gone through menopause. Induced menopause is what occurs if a woman has to undergo surgery such as a hysterectomy, or has certain ovarian problems. Chemotherapy and radiation sometimes trigger menopause. The symptoms for induced menopause can be much more severe than with natural menopause. Occasionally, a woman will go through menopause before age 40. This is called premature menopause. There are many menopause treatments available to ease the transition. Hormone therapy must be prescribed by a doctor and can help with reducing hot flashes, treating vaginal dryness, and offsetting the bone loss that happens in menopausal women. However, there are side effects like an increased chance of diseases like breast cancer and gallbladder, as well as blood clots and stroke. Some women choose natural menopause treatment by taking soy or herbs like wild yam and dong quai, and swear by their ability to lessen hot flashes. There is no proof of their safety or validity, so consult a doctor before you use natural menopause products. The best natural way to combat menopause symptoms is to get plenty of exercise, which greatly help with problems sleeping and mood swings.