The good news is that there are several ways to help manage and alleviate signs of menopause when they appear.
We take a closer look at exactly that, while also answering some of the key questions you might have about the causes, signs and treatments associated with menopause.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s life, marking the end of her periods and her ability to get pregnant.
While it usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55 years old, menopause can happen earlier than this as well. In the UK, for instance, women typically reach menopause at 51 years old on average, but the timing can vary from person to person.
There are also various stages of menopause. You may find yourself experiencing different signs depending on the stage you’re in.
What are the stages of menopause?
Everyone experiences menopause in different ways.
For example, some women naturally experience early menopause between the ages of 40 and 45.
Meanwhile, other women may reach menopause even earlier than this, sometimes even before the age of 40. This is what’s known as premature menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency, and may be due to certain conditions, treatments or surgeries.
When reaching menopause, most women will experience three different stages. These include:
- Perimenopause: the time before menopause starts, when you start to experience periods less often and signs like hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, mood disorders and fatigue might start to develop.
- Menopause: the point in time when you’ve not had a period for 12 consecutive months, marking the end of your reproductive years.
- Postmenopause: the time, following the menopause, when you have not had a period for 12 months or more.
Each of these stages can bring with it its own signs and lifestyle changes, and everyone can experience menopause differently.
While some people may encounter quite severe signs that impact their everyday life, others will experience few or no signs of menopause at all.
What happens to your body during menopause?
Menopause happens because of a change in the balance of your body’s hormones.
When your ovaries don’t produce as much of the hormone oestrogen as they used to, you no longer release an egg each month.
Your periods will usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years, before stopping altogether. They might be more irregular, and become lighter or heavier. For some people, they might stop suddenly.
What are the signs of menopause and perimenopause?
Perimenopause and menopause signs feel different for everyone and can affect your life in a number of ways.
The first sign you may notice (but not always) is a change in the pattern of your periods. For example, they could start to feel lighter or heavier than usual, or more irregular.
Other menopausal signs may include:
- Hot flushes (sudden feelings of hot or cold in your face, neck and chest)
- Sleeping difficulties and night sweats
- Changes to your mood, such as low mood, low self-esteem and mood swings
- Problems with your memory or ability to concentrate (known as brain fog)
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Reduced sex drive (libido)
- Itching and discomfort during sex
- Heart palpitations
- Muscle aches and joint pains
- Headaches and migraines
- Vaginal dryness or pain
- Sensitive teeth and painful gums
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
There’s no hard-and-fast rule on which signs you’ll experience or how long they’ll last for.
While you might experience hot flushes earlier on in your menopause journey, you may find that your sex drive dips later on. Some signs of menopause can also last for months and years, with some (like joint pain and vaginal dryness) even carrying on after you’ve stopped having periods.
However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this – support is always available should you ever need it.
What causes menopause?
Perimenopause and menopause occur when the hormone oestrogen declines, which is a natural part of ageing. However, menopause can also occur for other reasons at an earlier age.
Certain surgeries, such as the surgical removal of the ovaries (known as a bilateral oophorectomy), can cause menopause. It can also occur as a result of treatment for specific medical conditions, including cancer, HIV and endometriosis.
The age at which you undergo these types of surgeries or treatments can influence when you reach menopause, sometimes causing it to occur earlier than average. If you reach menopause between the ages of 40 and 45, for instance, this is referred to as early menopause. When it occurs before the age of 40, it’s called premature menopause.
If you’re concerned about your menopausal signs, it’s important to seek tailored advice from your doctor. By leaning on them for support, they’ll be able to identify the most effective ways to help manage your signs.
Menopause treatment and management
Menopause can impact your day-to-day life in a variety of ways. But the good news is that there are several things you can do to help manage it effectively.
Lifestyle changes to help manage menopause
From a lifestyle perspective, eating well, exercising and looking after your mental wellbeing can all help with signs of both perimenopause and menopause.
- Think about your diet: when thinking about your diet, try to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and sources of calcium, such as milk, yoghurt and kale. At the same time, try to avoid drinking more than the recommended alcohol limit.
- Reduce your stress level: changes in your hormones during menopause can lead to increased feelings of stress, anxiety and low mood.9 To help support your mental health, try to add relaxing activities into your day-to-day life, such as yoga, tai chi or meditation.
- Reach out for support: whether it be a family member, friend or colleague, having someone to talk to can help.
- Exercise regularly: getting enough exercise can help manage your menopausal signs.2 So why not use your support network to kickstart a healthier routine, prioritising exercises like walking, running or dancing?
Menopause treatments
If you struggle with certain menopausal signs, there are various treatments available to help relieve both the mental and physical impact.
Understanding which type of treatment is right for you will depend on your signs and your own personal circumstances, so it’s important to speak to a doctor for their advice.
Treating psychological signs
To help with some of the psychological signs associated with menopause, there are various treatments you might want to consider. These can include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Counselling
- Mindfulness
The mental signs of menopause are as real as the physical ones, and you shouldn’t wait to seek help if you are struggling.
Menopause can affect everyone differently, after all, so it’s important to speak to your doctor for tailored advice and support.
Treating physical signs
The main form of treatment for signs of perimenopause and menopause is HRT, which involves using hormones (such as oestrogen) to replace your body’s own low levels of the hormone.
Available in skin patches, gels, sprays, implants and tablets, HRT can help relieve most menopause-associated signs, including hot flushes, brain fog, joint pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness.
If you have a womb, you may also need to take progesterone to help protect the lining of the womb from the effects of oestrogen. This is what’s known as combined HRT, which is also available as patches, an implant or tablets.
Don’t put your life on hold because of menopause. By making healthy lifestyle choices, seeking professional advice, reaching out to others and using the most suitable treatments, you can help manage your menopause.
FAQs about menopause
At what age does menopause normally start?
Menopause usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55 years old, with the average age for a woman to reach menopause in the UK at 51. However, menopause can affect everyone differently, so it may also start earlier than this.
If you experience menopause between the ages of 40 and 45 years old, this is known as early menopause. If it occurs before the age of 40, this is called premature menopause. Early or premature menopause are more likely if you started your periods early, smoke, are underweight or if either runs in your family. Early or premature menopause can also be caused by treatment for other conditions, such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, certain hormone medicines or
surgery to remove your ovaries.
How long can menopause last?
Menopause itself is a single event, but the signs it can cause can last for several years. However, it’s also possible to experience few – if any – signs. That’s why it’s important to seek professional advice on what you can do to help alleviate any signs you may be struggling with.
How can menopause impact day-to-day life?
Living with menopausal signs like hot flushes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and dips in your sex drive can impact your daily life. However, using the right treatments and making certain lifestyle changes can help you manage your signs and enjoy your day-to-day life.
I’m on hormonal contraception. How do I know whether I’ve reached menopause?
If you’re using a hormonal contraceptive like the pill, coil, implant or injection, you won’t be able to know for sure whether you’ve reached menopause. This is because these forms of contraception can affect your periods.
Products available from CanesMeno
We also have a wide range of CanesMeno® products to consider. CanesMeno® Hydration and Comfort Gel, for instance, is a moisturising gel designed to provide fast and long-lasting relief from vaginal dryness, itching and burning.
Canesfresh® Soothing Gel Wash has been designed to gently cleanse and help soothe your sensitive intimate area during times of discomfort.
