Overview
Infertility and menopause are distinct but related aspects of women's reproductive health: infertility is the inability to conceive after a sustained period of regular unprotected intercourse, while menopause is the natural cessation of menstrual cycles marking the end of a woman's reproductive years. Both reflect changes in ovarian function, and the years approaching menopause (the menopausal transition) often coincide with declining fertility as the number and quality of oocytes fall. Clinically, infertility may arise from ovulatory disorders, tubal or uterine factors, low ovarian reserve, or male-factor causes, and is often managed with assisted reproductive technologies. Conditions such as premature ovarian insufficiency and ovarian aging can cause both reduced fertility and early menopausal symptoms. Menopause itself brings hormonal shifts—chiefly falling estrogen—linked to vasomotor symptoms, bone loss, and cardiovascular changes. Understanding the overlap between these states matters for reproductive planning, fertility preservation, and managing the health consequences of estrogen decline. Open-access research available here examines mechanisms and emerging approaches relevant to diminished ovarian response, ovarian aging, and reproductive function.