Theresa Eichenwald

Menopause is a natural and inevitable stage in every woman's life, but not all women understand it. Become familiar with the three stages of menopause (and what comes before it); recognize the signs that menopause is approaching; know what to do about hot flashes; and get savvy about getting through menopause.

Before you enter the three stages of menopause, you are in premenopause — literally, "before menopause." (Premenopausal women show no symptoms of menopause: periods are normal and regular, and hormone levels are steady.) The first of the three stages of menopause is perimenopause, then menopause, and, finally, postmenopause: Perimenopause: Literally, "around menopause.

Some women breeze through menopause without realizing it's upon them; others are not so lucky. Here are five tips for making the journey through menopause easier. Recognize that menopause is a natural transition, just like puberty. Fortunately, with a few more years under your belt, you are in a better position to ride out the storm of hormonal upheavals this time.

Menopausal women often experience hot flashes where a sudden, intense wave of heat overcomes them. Follow these pointers for reducing hot flashes and their effects: Exercise regularly. Only one in 20 women who exercise regularly experience hot flashes. Of women who don't exercise, one in four experience hot flashes.

Most women begin experiencing menopause symptoms, which are the result of hormones getting out of balance, while they're still having periods. If you experience any or all of the following symptoms, check with your doctor — you may be approaching the change. Dry skin or hair Fuzzy thinking (difficulty conc