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Menopause

Menopause is when your periods stop forever. This usually happens to people who have periods between the ages of 45 and 55.

 

If you have the symptoms of menopause, but your periods haven’t stopped, this is called perimenopause.

What are the symptoms? 

Symptoms of the menopause might include, but are not limited to the following:

 

  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Brain fog and problems with memory
  • Hot flushes and night sweats
  • Irregular periods
  • Changes in skin conditions (skin is more dry or more oily than usual)
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  • Discomfort during sex, vaginal dryness and less sex drive
  • Hair loss or thinning
  • Headaches or migraines
  • More facial hair than normal
  • Joint stiffness, aches and pains
  • Heart palpitations – you can feel your heartbeats more in your chest
  • More UTIs (urinary tract infections) than normal
  • Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)

 

These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and can carry on afterwards.

Use the Women's Health Concern symptom tracker

Diagnosing the menopause

  • The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) menopause guidance, first published in November 2015, states that perimenopause should be diagnosed on symptoms alone without blood tests in healthy women over the age of 45.
  • Use information you can find here from Women's Health Concern and keep a symptom tracker to help you to speak to your GP.
  • Take a look at top tips from Powered By Diversity on how to best advocate for yourself with your healthcare professional.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) helps to replace the hormones that are changing and depleting during the menopause. Research has shown that it is the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms.

Find out more about HRT from Women's Health Concern

Top tips to stay well during the menopause

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  • Get lots of rest – have a regular sleep routine
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Have calcium-rich food like milk, yoghurt and kale to keep bones healthy
  • Stay active
  • Try to keep your stress levels low
  • Talk to people going through the menopause or get support with your mental health if you need it
  • Talk to your GP about things that could help
  • Get support to quit smoking if you smoke
  • Try to stay cool by wearing light clothing, keeping your bedroom cool at night, taking cool showers and avoiding triggers like spicy food, caffeine, alcohol and smoking.

Get support with menopause symptoms

The menopause can be really difficult to live with. If you need support to manage your symptoms, you can find different types of information, advice and support below:

 

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Upcoming Events

Upcoming events

Pause - Time for a Change menopause support group

Pause – Time for a Change menopause support group

Join our Menopause Nurse-led non-judgemental, welcoming community and connect with other people experiencing the menopause. Menopause can be an uncertain time, but we are here to support you. Join our...

Related Services

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The Menopause Charity

The Menopause Charity

The Menopause Charity is for all women and other individuals experiencing menopause, as well as their employers, partners, families, friends, and the health professionals supporting them.

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