Menopause is when a person stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.
This is usually between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.
Around 1 in 100 women experience menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.
Perimenopause refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause
Once you've gone through 12 consecutive months without a period, you've officially reached menopause
Peri-menopause symptoms include:
Irregular periods
Hot flashes
Sleep problems
Mood changes
Vaginal and bladder problems
Decreasing fertility
Changes in libido (sex drive)
Changing cholesterol levels
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Discomfort during sex
Difficulty sleeping
Low mood or anxiety
Reduced sex drive (libido)
Problems with memory and concentration (brain fog)
Treatments and lifestyle changes can help treat severe menopausal symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day life.
Hormone Treatment
Tablets, skin patches, gels and implants that relieve menopausal symptoms by replacing the oestrogen and/or progestogen lost due to menopause
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
A type of talking therapy that can help with low mood and anxiety
