Menopause is when periods stop permanently, usually between ages 45–55. Symptoms happen due to falling oestrogen levels.

Common Menopausal Symptoms

Physical symptoms

  • Hot flushes (sudden feeling of heat)
  • Night sweats
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Reduced libido (sex drive)
  • Joint and muscle aches
  • Headaches
  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
  • Palpitations

Emotional and psychological symptoms

  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Low mood or depression
  • Irritability
  • Poor concentration or “brain fog”
  • Memory changes

Urogenital symptoms

  • Vaginal dryness, soreness, or discomfort
  • Pain during sex
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Urinary urgency or frequency

Long-term effects (post-menopause)

  • Increased risk of osteoporosis (bone thinning)
  • Increased risk of heart disease

Key point:

Menopausal symptoms vary between individuals—some experience mild symptoms, while others may find them more severe and long-lasting.

 

Alternatives to HRT for symptoms of the menopause - Patient Information Factsheet created by University Hospital Southampton 

Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment - The menopause is when you stop having periods. Some cancer treatments can cause an early menopause or a temporary menopause. Symptoms can include hot flushes and having trouble concentrating - Cancer Research UK information.

Daisy Network - Daisy Network is dedicated to providing information, support, and community for women diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). We are the only UK charity solely focused on POI, offering medical and psychological support while advancing research into treatments and causes.

Menopause Matters - Menopausematters.co.uk is an award winning, independent website providing up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options. Here you will find information on what happens leading up to, during and after the menopause, what the consequences can be, what you can do to help and what treatments are available.

Menopausal symptoms and cancer treatment - Some cancer treatments can cause an early or temporary menopause, or side effects similar to menopausal symptoms. There are different ways of managing and reducing menopausal symptoms - Macmillan Information.

Managing Manepause - This is a YouTube webinar with Dr Louise Newson and Ovarian Cancer Charity, Ovacome.

My Menopause Centre - A CQC 'Outstanding' rated menopause clinic. Our expert, experienced and empathetic team of menopause specialists will support you with evidence-based information and advice on menopause & symptoms, and recommend treatment options tailored to you.

 

All below factsheets offer evidence-based, peer reviewed information to women and their partners.

 

Nutrition in Menopause - The transition to menopause is a good time to review your current diet. Not only can this help manage menopausal symptoms in the short term, it can lay the foundations for good health through perimenopause, menopause, and the years to come.

Weight Gain and Menopause - Weight gain during perimenopause and menopause is one of the most common and distressing symptoms women experience. In fact, over half of all women are affected.

Exercise in Menopause - A healthy menopause lifestyle needs to include exercise to support mind, body and soul. Even if you’ve never exercised before, now’s the time to find what works for you.

Alcohol and Menopause - Equipping yourself with information to support all aspects of the menopause transition can enable you to make informed choices and take control of your menopause. Learning more about how alcohol affects your body may be beneficial – not just through the menopause transition, but throughout the years to come.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms - Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a brief, non-medical approach that can be helpful for a range of health problems, including anxiety and stress, depressed mood, hot flushes and night sweats, sleep problems and fatigue. CBT helps people to develop practical ways of managing problems and provides new coping skills and useful strategies. For this reason, it can be a helpful approach to try because the skills can be applied to different problems and can improve wellbeing in general. It can be used as a strategy on its own or alongside hormone replacement therapy.

Emotional Wellness in Menopause - Hormonal changes in menopause not only affect physical health, they can also have an impact on emotional and mental wellness. Feelings of anxiety, low mood and difficulty concentrating are all very common symptoms of menopause.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies - The majority of women experience a natural menopause when their periods finish, usually between the ages of 45-55. During the years when women are having periods, the ovaries produce eggs and the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. As women approach the menopause, there are few remaining eggs in the ovaries and those that remain are less likely to develop. Fewer eggs are released and less of the hormones are produced, until the ovaries finally stop working and periods stop. Often the menopause is accompanied by symptoms caused by fluctuating and lower levels of estrogen.

 

 

 

 

Menopause Matters - Menopausematters.co.uk is an award winning, independent website providing up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options. Here you will find information on what happens leading up to, during and after the menopause, what the consequences can be, what you can do to help and what treatments are available.

The Menopause Charity - More than 33 million women in the UK will experience menopause. It can affect every part of someone’s life – their body, mind, job, and even social life. And for some, the symptoms are devastating. The Menopause Charity is here to change that.

 

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