If a woman has gone for 12 consecutive months without having a period, she’s officially reached menopause. For some women, menopause signifies an end to their childbearing years and the realization that they are getting older. For others, menopause means they no longer have to deal with the discomfort and inconvenience of a monthly period. It brings an end to the worry about unwanted pregnancy, and it’s a new age of freedom.