Learn More About The Menopause

Menopause is a natural biological process that affects anyone who has periods, marking the end of the menstrual cycle and fertility. The average age of menopause is around 48-52, but symptoms of perimenopause can start in our 30s or 40s.

The three stages of menopause are perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause. Perimenopause refers to the time when your body begins to transition to menopause and your finite ovarian reserves are drained, with the amount of oestrogen produced becoming less predictable. Menopause is defined as the point at which a woman has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Post-menopause is the time after menopause, when your ovarian reserve has been exhausted and there are no more follicles to mature for ovulation.

On average, perimenopause lasts 4-8 years, but it can start up to 10 or even 15 years in advance of menopause. The average age of menopause is around 48-52, but symptoms can last for months or years.

Some of the most common symptoms of menopause are skin changes, hair changes, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep issues, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, joint pain, vaginal dryness, bladder weakness and weight gain, but there are dozens more signs and symptoms.

As we age our immune systems become less effective. For those experiencing menopause, the effect is then amplified by falling levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. There can also be an impact on cardiovascular health due to falling oestrogen levels and changes to cholesterol levels, as well as an increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs).

During perimenopause and menopause, a number of other factors are at play too that can have an affect on health, including poor sleep, stress and anxiety, increase in body weight, and low iron levels.

Management of menopause symptoms is not one size fits all and you should navigate through the menopause transition in your own way. Looking at your lifestyle to see if there are any changes you can make to lead a healthier life can be beneficial.

Caffeine, for example, can make hot flushes worse, negatively impact your bladder, and increase anxiety, so reducing or switching to decaffeinated versions can help. Stopping smoking can help reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis and can also help manage hot flushes.

Exercise of any sort is recommended, helping with weight gain, reducing the risk of heart disease. Weight bearing and muscle gaining exercise can even help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Exercise can also help mood, reduce anxiety and help reduce brain fog.

There are alternative remedies and herbal medicines that may help but won't be safe for everyone. Speaking to a practitioner, pharmacist or doctor with knowledge of herbal medicine is recommended. And it’s important to know that some herbal medicines can interfere with medicines that are prescribed by doctors. If you are investigating herbal solutions, always look for the THR mark on the box. The Traditional Herbal Registration certification means the product has been registered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency under the UK Traditional Herbal Registration Scheme.

During menopause, there are significant hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body. These changes primarily involve a decline in the production of estrogen and progesterone, two key hormones involved in the menstrual cycle and fertility.

Estrogen levels gradually decrease during perimenopause, which is the transitional period leading up to menopause. This decline in estrogen can cause various symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. Estrogen is also important for maintaining bone health.

Progesterone levels also decline during menopause. Progesterone is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy each month. Its decrease can lead to irregular periods and changes in the menstrual cycle.

Other hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), also play a role during menopause. FSH levels increase as the ovaries produce less estrogen. This can result in disrupted menstrual cycles and lead to symptoms such as hot flushes.

Hormone changes in menopause can have an impact on mental health as well as physical health. The menopause transition sees an increase of psychological issues including a higher risk of developing depression and research shows over 50% of women experience symptoms like brain fog, word loss, increased anxiety and loss of confidence during menopause. Stress is another complex factor during menopause, with midlife women facing various physiological and social changes that can impact mental health.

Menopause marks the end of a person's menstrual cycle and fertility, defined as the point at which they have not had a period for 12 consecutive months.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment given to help manage menopause symptoms. However, some people choose not to take it, others have been advised that because of their medical history it may be too risky for them, and others would like to take something alongside their HRT to help them manage their symptoms. The good news is that there are a range of different options.