You Are a Nurse Working at a Community Health Clinic

You are a nurse working at a community health clinic. A patient of yours, Michelle, recently reached menopause. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of menopause?

A) The cessation of the menstrual cycle, achieved once 1 year has passed without menstruation
B) A transitional period in which reproductive capacity diminishes and finally ceases
C) A phase in which menstruation wanes, beginning with the first irregular menstruation and ending with the very last menstruation
D) A series of changes in a woman's reproductive cycle that occur between the ages of 45 and 50 years