PSY 1102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Menstrual Cycle, Late-Onset Hypogonadism, Vasectomy

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 1102
• Professor: victor emerson

Document Summary

We become adults around age 20, so we spend most of our lives as adults. Although we use the word adult to describe this stage, in fact the use of one word masks the many changes that occur. Physical performance is generally thought to peak in the early- to mid-20s, after which there is a slow decline in which change may be imperceptible for several years unless one is a competitive athlete. Menopause usually occurs around age 50, after a woman has experienced about 500 menstrual periods (depending on how many children she has borne). However, menopause somewhat like puberty is marked by mood swings, hot flashes, and other physical discomforts. Although the term andropause exists, there is no good evidence for a male equivalent of menopause. Despite gradual reduction in sperm count with age, men remain fertile until death, except in cases of disease or surgery (such as a vasectomy).