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Women's Healthcare Q1 2023

Is it hot in here? Get to know the symptoms of menopause

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Dr Jane Davis

Clinical Lead, Rock My Menopause

We’re all different, and so are the effects that menopause has on our bodies, but do you know the symptoms of menopause? Some may surprise you.


Perimenopause is the period before menopause. It starts when the amount of oestrogen made by the ovaries begins to decline. It usually begins in your 40s, although it can start earlier (known as early menopause) and lasts an average of four to seven years, although this can vary.

Different stages until menopause

Perimenopause extends until after your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and you have your final period. Postmenopause is when you haven’t had a period for at least a year. However, by the time of their menopause, many people will have experienced symptoms.

This is the start of a new phase in your life — without the hassle and expense of monthly periods. Try to embrace it; take a holistic approach to looking after yourself. Try to reduce stress, exercise and nourish your body with a healthy diet; and if your symptoms impact your daily life, consult your GP.

Of the 75% who experience symptoms, 25% will experience symptoms that are more severe and can negatively affect daily life.

Symptoms of menopause

Around a quarter of women will have no symptoms at all, but about 75% of us will experience a range of problems from acute sleeplessness to a woolly brain, weight gain, hot flushes, aching joints and more.

Of the 75% who experience symptoms, 25% will experience symptoms that are more severe and can negatively affect daily life. Sounds daunting, doesn’t it? But the first step to managing these symptoms is to identify them and help empower and educate yourself — and it starts with learning what is happening to your body and why.

How menopause diagnosis works

Although more than 50% of the population will experience menopause, it can be difficult to identify that it’s the cause of the symptoms you’re experiencing. You might find you have been experiencing symptoms but not putting two and two together. It’s very common to dismiss things until one day the penny drops and “A-ha, maybe I’m perimenopausal?” If you find that you are struggling to manage the symptoms or they’re impacting your quality of life, book an appointment with your GP. They will look at your age, period frequency and symptoms; then they should be able to tell if you’re perimenopausal. Once diagnosed, you can discuss treatment options which can range from lifestyle changes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Rock My Menopause is a campaign of the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum (PCWHF), a group of 10,000 healthcare professionals with a special interest in women’s health. www.rockmymenopause.com

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