Understanding menopause
Menopause is the natural stage in a woman's life that marks the end of childbearing and menstrual bleeding. Unlike a woman’s first menstruation, which starts on a single day, the changes leading up to menopause happen over several years.
The average age for menopause is 52, but menopause commonly happens any time between the ages of 42 and 56. A woman can say she has begun her menopause when she has not had a period for a full year.
What is it?
Menopause is a natural process that happens to every woman as she grows older and is marked by a steep decline in oestrogen and progesterone levels. Menopause is not a medical problem, disease, or illness. Still, some women may experience difficult symptoms because of the changes in these hormone levels during menopause.
Signs and symptoms
There are many possible symptoms of menopause and each woman feels them differently. Many women have few or no menopausal symptoms, while other women experience moderate or severe symptoms.
The clearest signs of the start of menopause are irregular periods (when periods come closer together or further apart), and when blood flow becomes lighter or heavier. This stage—called perimenopause—signals the beginning of transition toward menopause. Perimenopause lasts on average four years. Other signs may include some of the following:
- weight gain
- insulin resistance
- hot flushes
- insomnia
- night sweats
- vaginal dryness
- joint pain
- fatigue
- short-term memory problems
- bowel upset
- dry eyes
- itchy skin
- hair loss
- mood swings
- urinary tract infections
Most of the time, these symptoms will lessen or go away after a woman is in post-menopause. If any of these symptoms make you feel uncomfortable, talk to your doctor. There are many ways to reduce symptoms, both through medication, alternative therapies, and supporting good gut health.
Treating symptoms
If your symptoms are giving you discomfort, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which provides relief from many symptoms by replacing the hormones that you are losing.
Different HRTs contain various levels of oestrogen and progesterone, obtained from different sources. Your doctor will recommend the best type for you as well as discuss the benefits vs. possible side effects of treatment. Some women are not suitable candidates for HRT. Your doctor will also discuss this with you. Unsuitable candidates for HRT may include women with a personal or family history of breast cancer, or women with unexplained vaginal bleeding or active liver disease.
Some alternative medicine treatments also appear to be effective. These may include herbal remedies to reduce symptoms, taken by mouth, or in some cases rubbed into the skin as a cream. Diet, probiotics, and certain supplements can help balance your gut and reduce symptoms of menopause.
Self-care
There are also some remedies that you can try for yourself to lessen your menopausal symptoms. Consider trying the following:
- Prioritise good sleep hygiene and aim for a regular bedtime without screen time at least an hour before bed.
- Hot flushes may be reduced when you limit your intake of spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol and/or increase your consumption of colourful fruit and vegetables and fatty fish.
- Consuming food that contains soya isoflavones such as soya milk, tofu, or tempeh) and whole-grain foods may bring relief. This may be due to the oestrogen-like effects of the phytoestrogens contained in these foods.
- Exercise may decrease hot flushes and help keep your heart and bones strong.
- If you find that confined spaces increase your hot flushes, try to avoid them.
While menopause can be a difficult and uncomfortable stage of life for many women, there are steps you can take to try and alleviate your symptoms and discomfort. Please note: this article is not intended to replace professional consultation. Please see your doctor for all medical concerns.
This information is provided to supplement the care provided by your GP or mental health professional and is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your GP or another qualified health or mental health professional if you have questions about a medical condition or plan of treatment.
