Menopause
The first sign of the menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods.
You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods. The frequency of your periods may also be affected. You may have them every 2 or 3 weeks, or you may not have them for months at a time. Eventually, you will stop having periods altogether.
If you are struggling to manage your Menopause symptoms, you can contact your GP, who may be able to prescribe some treatments to help manage your symptoms.
The menopause refers to that time in every woman’s life when her periods stop and her ovaries lose their reproductive function.
Usually, this occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but in a few exceptional cases, women may become menopausal in their 30s, or even younger. This is then known as a premature menopause, or premature ovarian insufficiency.
The menopause is influenced by a change in hormone levels. As women get older, their store of eggs in the ovary decreases and their ability to conceive diminishes. At this time, less oestrogen is produced, causing the body to behave differently.
The process can even take several years, during which symptoms arise gradually. This gradual change is called the ‘peri-menopause’. At around the age of 50-55 years, the monthly cycle stops completely – so no more ovulations, no more periods and no more pregnancies. This is the menopause.
About 8 in every 10 women will have additional symptoms for some time before and after their periods stop. These can have a significant impact on daily life for some women.
Common symptoms include:
- hot flushes - short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, which can make your skin red and sweaty
- night sweats - hot flushes that occur at night
- difficulty sleeping - this may make you feel tired and irritable during the day
- a reduced sex drive (libido)
- problems with memory and concentration
- vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
- headaches
- mood changes, such as low mood or anxiety
- palpitations - heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable
- joint stiffness, aches and pains
- reduced muscle mass
- recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
The menopause can also increase your risk of developing certain other problems, such as weak bones (osteoporosis).
If you're struggling to manage your menopause symptoms, you can contact your GP, who may be able to prescribe some treatments to help manage your symptoms.
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