What is the Menopause?

Strictly speaking, the menopause is the last menstrual period. However, most women think of the menopause as the time of life leading up to, and after, their last period. It is often called the 'change of life'. It occurs because as you get older your ovaries make less oestrogen (the main female hormone). The average age of the menopause in the UK is 51. However, it may be sooner or later than this. Early menopause (occurring in your 30's or early 40's) can run in families.

What are the possible symptoms and problems of the menopause?
The menopause is a natural event. You may have no problems... However, it is common to develop one or more symptoms which are due to the low level of oestrogen.

Short term symptoms.
Hot flushes occur in about 3 in 4 women. A typical hot flush causes flushing of your face, neck, and chest. You are also likely to perspire during a hot flush. Some women become giddy, weak, faint, or feel sick during a hot flush. The number of hot flushes can vary from 'every now and then', to fifteen or more times a day. Hot flushes tend to start just before the menopause , and often persist for 2-3 years.

Sweats commonly occur when you are in bed at night. In some cases they are so severe that sleep is disturbed and you need to change your bedding and night clothes.

Other symptoms may develop such as headaches, tiredness, palpitations, being irritable, emotional changes, depression, anxiety, aches and pains, loss of libido and feelings of not coping as well as before. It can be difficult to say whether these symptoms are due to the hormone changes of the menopause. For example, you may become anxious or irritable because you have frequent hot flushes, and not directly because of loss oestrogen level. Also, there may be other reasons why these other symptoms develop. For example, depression is common in women in their 'middle years' for various reasons.

Skin and Hair, you tend to lose some skin protein (collagen) after the menopause. This makes the skin drier, thinner, and more likely to itch. You may have less underarm and pubic hair. Some women have an increase in facial hair.

Genital and Bladder area, Lack of oestrogen causes the tissues in and around the vagina to become thinner and drier. The vagina may shrink a little, and expand less easily during sex. You may then have some pain when you have sex. The tissues around the neck of the bladder may become thinner. The muscles in this area may not support the uterus and bladder as well. As a result some women develop urinary problems. For example: at times you may suddenly need to pass urine; you may pass some urine when you cough or laugh; you may become prone to recurring urine infections. Your vulva may become thin, dry and itchy.