What is the stage called in which the female reproductive system slowly stops making sex hormones?

The correct answer is menopause, which refers to the stage in a woman's life when her ovaries gradually stop producing sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, leading to the end of menstrual cycles. Typically occurring in women between the ages of 45 and 55, menopause is a natural biological process that signifies the conclusion of reproductive capability. During this time, women may experience various symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, and changes in sexual function, all of which are associated with the decline in hormone levels.

Menstruation, the first option listed, is the monthly shedding of the uterine lining when a woman’s ovaries release an egg and is not related to the cessation of hormone production. Cyclophoria is a term that does not pertain to hormonal changes in the reproductive system; rather, it generally relates to cyclic changes in the character of a mental state or mood. Andropause, often considered a male counterpart to menopause, describes a gradual decline in testosterone levels in aging men, and it is not applicable to the female reproductive system. Therefore, menopause is accurately described as the stage of life marked by the gradual halt of sex hormone production in females.