Signs and symptoms of the menopause

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The menopause is something no woman can avoid, but until a few years ago it was topic that was rarely discussed. The average age for a woman to reach menopause in the UK is 51. Traditionally the narrative around women in their 50s has been largely negative, but this is beginning to change. Women in their 40s and 50s are now more likely to have careers, be economically independent and determined to make the most of this stage of their lives. There are around 13 million women going through this stage of their life at any one time, a significant section of the population.

Celebrities such as Davina McCall and Andrea McLean have talked openly about their experiences and encouraged others to do the same. They have shown the menopause to be a natural stage of life, not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. High profile employers, such as Channel 4 and Google have introduced menopause policies designed to support women through this stage of their life. They and other employers want to ensure these experienced women are able to thrive in the workplace and don’t feel the need to hide their symptoms.

What is the menopause?

The menopause starts when a woman has gone 12 months without having a period and is no longer able to conceive children naturally. This is not a process that happens overnight. Menopausal symptoms can begin years before a woman’s last period and on average continue for four years after it, although some may experience them for more than a decade. For most women, menopause takes place between the ages of 45 and 55, but one in 100 women go through the menopause before the age of 40.

What happens to your body during the menopause?

The menopause starts when a woman has gone 12 months without having a period and is no longer able to conceive children naturally. This is not a process that happens overnight. Menopausal symptoms can begin years before a woman’s last period and on average continue for four years after it, although some may experience them for more than a decade. For most women, menopause takes place between the ages of 45 and 55, but one in 100 women go through the menopause before the age of 40.

What is the perimenopause?

The perimenopause is the period leading up to the menopause and begins when the ovaries start to produce less oestrogen. On average, the perimenopause lasts for four years. In the final few years before the menopause begins, oestrogen levels rapidly reduce, and it is at this point that many women begin to experience typical menopause symptoms.

What are the signs to look out for?

For around 20% of women the only sign they’ll have that they are going through the menopause are changes to their periods. They usually become more or less frequent or can stop for a period of time altogether. The flow can also become lighter or heavier than usual. It is also common to experience more severe pre-menstrual tension (PMT).

Eight out of ten women will experience additional symptoms. These can vary wildly and as many as 100 have been identified. It is highly unlikely that anyone will suffer all these, and the symptoms are likely to change over time, especially for anyone who experiences them over many years.

Here are some of the most common ones to look out for:

• Hot flushes – sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest.
• Night sweats
• Difficulty sleeping
• Reduced sex drive
• Vaginal dryness – which can make sex painful
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Headaches – especially common for women who have a history of suffering from them
• Mood changes – feeling low, anxious or depressed
• Heart palpitations

On top of these, other symptoms may occur, including:

• Bloating and weight gain
• Gum problems – as many as 40% of women experience this
• Digestive issues, such as heartburn or indigestion
• Fatigue – around 25% of women have a lack of energy
• Loss or thinning of the hair Developing new allergies

Is there a test for the menopause?

While tests are available, your GP is unlikely to offer you one, especially if you are over the age of 45 and the symptoms you have indicate that menopause is the likely cause of them. During the perimenopause, hormones can fluctuate significantly and the test that are available could give a misleading result. During this time, you can still get pregnant, so doctors advise that you continue to use your usual contraception until your periods have stopped for a year. If you are concerned that what you are experiencing could be something other than the menopause it is best to get checked out by your GP.

Osteoporosis

As oestrogen plays a part in strengthening bones, during the menopause women can suffer an increased risk of osteoporosis, which means bones become more fragile and more likely to break. This is more likely to occur in women who go through early menopause, before the age of 45. Regular exercise, especially anything weight-bearing and increasing calcium in the diet can help minimise bone loss and strengthen muscles.

Advice from Parent Cloud Menopause Specialist, Kate Pleace:

“Some women may only experience symptoms mildly, while others will feel them more severely. There is no need to suffer alone. Medication or changes in your behaviour or environment can effectively counteract their impact and there is no reason for women not to live well during this period of their lives.

“As there is no clear starting or ending point to this journey, it can feel uncertain and never ending. Talking about how you are feeling and what you are going through with your partner, family or friends can make a huge difference.

“It used to be that menopause was seen to mark the end of useful life for women. This is far from the case and should be viewed instead as the start of a new era with a host of new possibilities and many productive years ahead.”

Additional Resources

For more information, take a look at the following websites:

https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause 

https://www.menopauseandme.co.uk 

https://www.themenopausecharity.org 

https://menopausesupport.co.uk

Wellness Cloud gives you easy remote access to experts and specialists, who can support you with the menopause, along with many other issues.

For further information, or to book a session online with one of our specialists, visit out website.