Menopause happens around the age of 50, and for many women, the end of their fertile life is accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and anxiety. In the West, it is generally taken as read that these symptoms are a normal part of menopause. But cross-cultural research suggests that menopause symptoms are not necessarily inevitable.
For example, Japanese women rarely report hot flashes, whereas they are a common complaint for European women. As a result, scientists have begun to focus on what causes this difference in experience and the potential impact that behavioral and lifestyle factors, such as smoking, might have.
