Menopause & Perimenopause
The menopause is the natural stopping of a woman’s menstrual cycle, marking the end of her ability to get pregnant.
Menopause is confirmed when a woman hasn’t had her period for 12 consecutive months & usually happens between 45 and 55 years of age. Ovaries stop producing eggs and therefore hormone (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) levels decrease causing a change in menstrual cycles. Physical changes can also occur due to the change in hormone levels.
During the perimenopause – which commonly affects those in their 40’s but can be earlier –women still have periods and can still get pregnant. Within the last 1-2 years of this transition, the drop in oestrogen speeds up and many women will experience menopause symptoms.
What are the common symptoms?
Everyone’s experience is unique, although most women – around 8 in 10 – will experience at least some symptoms in the menopause and perimenopause period. For many, these symptoms can have a significant impact on their lives. The most common include:
- Mood changes – low mood, anxiety or depression can be heightened during menopause. Many women are prescribed antidepressants which have no or little impact.
- Hot flushes – an estimated 75% of women experience hot flushes. They are usually short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest.
- Night sweats & disrupted sleep – hot flushes that occur during the night and affect sleep, ultimately impacting mood and irritability.
- Reduced sex drive – loss of libido can be impacted by tiredness, anxiety or pain and dryness of the vagina.
- Vaginal dryness – changes of the vagina include dryness, itching or pain. This can particularly be felt during sex.