What term describes the time in a woman's life when hormonal changes occur leading to the end of menstruation?

The term that describes the time in a woman’s life when hormonal changes occur leading to the end of menstruation is menopause. This period marks the cessation of menstrual cycles and is typically diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels decline, which can bring about various physical and emotional changes, including hot flashes, mood swings, and changes in sexual function.

The concept of menopause is distinct from puberty, which refers to the period of life when a person develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes capable of reproduction. Additionally, menorrhagia refers to excessively heavy menstrual bleeding and is unrelated to the process of menopause. Perimenopause is a transitional phase leading up to menopause where the body undergoes various changes, including irregular menstrual cycles, but it is not the final stage of cessation that menopause represents.