title: [Ethological approach to menopause: an introduction to evolutionist medicine].
abstract: Menopause is a phenomenon particular to the human species. It exists in nature only in very few animals. In an evolutionist view, it appears as an adaptation, the function of which was to protect prehistoric women from dangerous late pregnancies and to enhance survival of their last-born child and grandchildren.
authors.affiliation: L'Université de Liège.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Demaret
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maréchal
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology*