How do I know if I’m postmenopausal?
First things first, it’s important to recognise when you’ve entered postmenopause.
The simplest way to go about this is by working out the date of your last menstrual cycle (period). If it’s been a year or more since your last period, you will have likely reached menopause and will now be in postmenopause.
Some people find that their menopause signs have eased or stopped at this stage, but for others, the signs continue for longer.
Menopause is defined as the point in time when you’ve not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Most women reach menopause around the age of 51.
Postmenopausal signs
In postmenopause, you might still experience signs commonly associated with menopause and perimenopause, such as:
Hot flushes
Mood changes, such as low mood, anxiety and irritability
Memory issues (brain fog) and feeling unable to concentrate
Night sweats and sleep problems
Feeling tired and fatigued
Vaginal dryness and less desire to have sex
Muscle aches and joint pains
Headaches and migraines
It’s important to remember that menopause affects everyone differently, and there are no set rules on the timings or type of signs you might face.
While someone you know may experience more troublesome signs, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll experience the same. And even if you do, there are plenty of things you can do to help manage them!
By putting the right management plan in place and seeking advice from your doctor when needed, you can help ease your transition into postmenopausal life.
How will being postmenopausal affect my overall health?
By the time you reach postmenopause, your body will have gone through a whole host of hormonal changes, and you’ll have likely already experienced a number of signs along the way.
At this point, it’s important to take the time you need to listen to your body and look after your health in the right way.
This is particularly important as having lower oestrogen levels (due to menopause) can increase your risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease (which affects your heart and blood vessels) and osteoporosis (weakened bones that may break more easily).
It can also cause the tissues in and around your vagina to become thinner, itchier and drier, potentially causing issues like recurrent UTIs, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex.
However, remember you’re not alone. Thanks to organisations like the NHS, WHO, British Heart Foundation and The Daisy Network, help, advice and useful information are always just a few clicks away.
Your doctor can also provide tailored support for any signs you’re currently experiencing or concerns you may have, helping you find the most effective treatment options based on your specific needs.
Managing postmenopausal signs
Postmenopausal signs can disrupt both your personal and professional life, making it difficult to go about your everyday routine. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
From lifestyle changes to treatment options, there are a number of ways to help make your postmenopausal signs more manageable and easier to live with.
Let’s start by exploring some of the best management techniques to consider:
Attend regular screenings: it’s important to stay on top of your health by regularly attending cancer screenings, such as breast exams and smear tests.
Keep active and stay healthy: while it may sound fairly obvious, the healthier you choose to live your life, the better. Regular exercise, avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can all help lower the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with postmenopause and support your overall wellbeing.
Eat right: eating a healthy, balanced diet including fruit, vegetables, low-fat milk and yoghurt, as well as taking calcium and/or vitamin D supplements, can help support bone health.
Drink plenty of water: postmenopause can increase your likelihood of developing recurrent UTIs. One of the most effective ways to prevent this is by drinking enough water. This encourages more frequent visits to the toilet and helps flush any lurking bacteria out of your urinary tract.
Practice pelvic floor exercises: going through menopause can cause your vagina to lose elasticity and lead to potential incontinence-related issues. Performing the right exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and improve your core strength to help prevent these leaks.
Treating postmenopausal signs
Depending on the types of signs you experience, there are various treatment options available to use alongside any lifestyle changes you make.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often recommended by doctors, as it helps replace the oestrogen your ovaries stop making once you’re in menopause. However, it’s not suitable for everyone, so it’s important to speak with your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may also be suggested to help with any mood-related signs you could face, such as low mood or anxiety.
Meanwhile, creams, tablets, pessaries, gels, rings, lubricants and moisturisers may be able to help with vaginal-related issues, such as UTIs or vaginal dryness.
You don’t have to struggle alone. By taking the time to recognise the signs, reach out for support and prioritise your health, you can enjoy your life to the full.
FAQs
Because you can no longer ovulate after you go through menopause, you can no longer become pregnant naturally.
However, fertility treatments like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) have made it possible to get pregnant during postmenopause, with some people now carrying babies in their 40s, 50s or even later!
You can also still get pregnant around the time of menopause, while you’re in perimenopause. So, if you’re sexually active and want to avoid becoming pregnant before you reach menopause, it’s important to discuss contraception options with your doctor.
It’s a common misconception that going through menopause brings an end to your sex life.
While certain menopausal signs may affect the way you view and experience sex, there are several things you can do to maintain a happy, pleasurable sex life that you’re comfortable with.
Postmenopausal bleeding is not usually a cause for concern and can be caused by several reasons. However, any bleeding you experience after menopause will need to be checked by your doctor, so you should make an appointment with them.
If you want to continue learning about life after menopause, you can find more guidance on the CanesMeno® hub.
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