Menopause

The menopause is usually a natural change due to a decrease in hormones produced by the ovaries. The menopause typically occurs between 49 and 52 years of age, but women may experience symptoms of the perimenopause for up to 10 years before this.

Gynaecologists often define menopause as having occurred when a woman has not had any vaginal bleeding for a year.

Before menopause, a woman's periods might become irregular, during this time, women often experience hot flashes; these typically last from 30 seconds to ten minutes and may be associated with sweating and reddening of the skin. Hot flashes often stop occurring after a year or two. Other symptoms may include vaginal dryness, sleeping difficulties, and mood swinging. The severity of symptoms varies between women.

Symptoms that may appear and continue through post menopause include:

Physical Symptoms:

• Painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, atrophic vaginitis
• Joint soreness, stiffness, back pain,
• Osteoporosis, weight gain,
• Urinary incontinence, urinary urgency
• Interrupted sleeping patterns,
• Heavy night sweats, hot flashes.

Psychological Symptoms:

• Anxiety, poor memory, inability to concentrate, depressive
• Mood, irritability, mood swings, less interest in sexual activity.

Long-term effects:

• Increased risk of atherosclerosis (furring of the arteries)
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).

Menopausal symptoms can have a significant impact on women’s ability to work. Many women do not know what to expect during the menopause nor do they feel empowered to seek help when needed or able to manage their symptoms. This challenge is particularly bad for the 25% of women who experience severe symptoms.

Managing the menopause often involves lifestyle modification for example cutting down on caffeine or taking more exercise. It can also mean taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in the form of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. For some this may not be an option. We will individualise care and tailor any advice to each patient’s unique situation.

We are particularly sensitive to the needs of those women who have been treated for breast cancer, where the menopause maybe particularly problematic.

Useful links

https://thebms.org.uk/

http://www.bash.org.uk/

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/

http://www.womens-health-concern.org/

http://www.managemymenopause.co.uk/