10 Truths about Menopause Every Woman Should Know

1. Menopause is when a woman stops having periods.

Menopause is defined as your ‘last period.’ From around 35 our ovaries start to slow down in producing fertile eggs & our periods may start to become irregular.  Somewhere between 45 & 55 most women stop having periods, with the average age being 51.

2. There are 3 stages of menopause.

Menopause is often referred to in 3 stages.

1. Perimenopause – refers to the time before your last period. Symptoms of this stage may start as early as 35 or start just a few months before your last period.

2. Menopause refers to your last period and 12 consecutive months without a period.

3. Post menopause refers to the time after the year of no periods. Menopause can be used to refer to all these stages. Pre-menopause is the time before any menopause symptoms.

3. There are several symptoms you might experience through menopause.

During perimenopause many women will experience hot flushes (flashes), irregular periods, heavier or lighter periods, low libido, fatigue & brain fog. Not every woman will experience all these symptoms and many will have server perimenopause symptoms.

The 12 months after your last period, menopause, can lead to an increase of symptoms and many women also experience insomnia, night sweats, mood changes, anxiety and depression.

In post menopause, symptoms can persist for a few years. For many women severe symptoms begin to decline. This is a time women need to consider heart, brain and bone health ready to enjoy a wonderful third age.

 4. Menopause Symptoms are caused by a decline in the hormones oestrogen & progesterone.

As our ovary function starts to slow down, there is a natural reduction in the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. This change in hormonal levels leads to many of the symptoms associated with menopause. Oestrogen and progesterone decline isn’t always a smooth linear one, with lots of ups and downs along the way. We can see the hormonal imbalance in often erratic symptoms for example you may have a few days of low mood followed by feeling more yourself.

5. Menopause is a natural life stage.

Early menopause brought on through surgery , chemotherapy or other illness, affects 5% of women in the UK before the age of 40. But for most women menopause is a natural part of life. Many women will experience symptoms from mid to late 40’s and will live a third of their lives post menopausally.

6. There are lots of places to get help and advice.

It is wonderful you are reading this information to start with. Fortunately there is a vast amount of information about menopause and currently this is increasing as the tide turns on keeping quiet about menopause health!

My top tips to getting help & advice…

Start talking to friends and family about how you are feeling or any concerns you have. You will be surprised how many other women will be happy to share their own experiences.

Speak to your GP. Find out if your practice has a women’s health / menopause specialist & book an appointment.

Complete a Greene Climacteric scale to take with you for your appointment (see below)

Download a symptom tracker app (see below) to give you a clearer picture of your symptoms. You can always jot down symptoms in a diary or note pad instead.

7. Everyone’s menopause will be different.

Symptoms of menopause vary significantly from one woman to another, it is a unique experience.

There is some research to show you may have a similar menopause to your mum, but this isn’t always the case. If you are lucky enough to talk to your mum about her own experience this may help give you an insight into what to expect.

8. HRT is safe & effective for lots of women.

HRT is usually a combination of the hormones oestrogen & progesterone and depending on symptoms, testosterone may be added too.

HRT or hormone replacement therapy (MHT in the US) can help reduce various symptoms of menopause as well as protect us from other post menopausal health concerns. Unfortunately, HRT has had lots of bad press due to research papers that linked HRT to an increase in breast cancer. (WHI 2004). The good news is that HRT is considered a safe and effective approach at reducing menopause symptoms. As we have said every woman’s menopause journey is individual and considering HRT needs a discussion with your GP or menopause specialist.

HRT can be taken orally in tablet form, patches creams and gels that are applied to your skin. HRT is easy to use & administer by yourself.

9. Alternative Therapies and Lifestyle Changes can help too.

HRT may not be the right choice for you and some medical conditions prevent you from taking it safely. Changes in lifestyle may help relieve symptoms & you can make changes along side HRT as well.

Exercise, food choices, reducing or managing stress, sleep hygiene, relaxation and self care can all have a positive impact on symptoms as well as helping future proof our post menopausal health.

There are a wide range of herbal therapies that can reduce hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. Prescription oestrogen creams can help vaginal dryness, itching and some infections too.

Like all medications it is always advisable to get advice from your GP or health professional.

Acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy & CBT have been shown to help alleviate symptoms.   

10. You are not alone.

Historically menopause health and the impact on women’s lives has been swept under the carpet, rarely talked about, found embarrassing & hidden from society! Times are changing! And there is an abundance of help, advice and information now available.

Menopause is a hugely unsettling, worrying and often a lonely experience for women. You are not alone.