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Human Body
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Menopause
The child-bearing period usually lasts for about 35 years. After that the processes which occured at puberty are reversed. The changes are caused by the change in the concentration of the sex hormones. The ovaries gradually become less responsive to the FSH and LH. Ovulation and the menstrual cycle become irregular and eventually stop altogether. This is called menopause. Several other phenomena may also occur at the same time including episodes of unpredictable behaviour sometimes.
In the male, fertility and sexual ability tend to decline gradually with ageing. There is no period comparable to the men opause in the male.
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