What Is Menopause

During menopause women experience a permanent cessation of their menstrual cycles. The body stops producing eggs through the  ovaries which leads to reduced hormone levels particularly oestrogen. According to nhs.uk menopause occurs when  women experience twelve months of uninterrupted menstrual absence.The menopause period for most women living in the United Kingdom begins between ages 45 and 55 with 51 being the typical age for this transition. Early menopause happens when periods stop before 45 years old while premature menopause begins before the age of 40. Early onset of menopause  can result from genetic factors or surgical ovary removal or chemotherapy but most cases lack an identifiable cause. All individuals who possess a menstrual cycle will naturally go through menopause. People who have both a uterus  and ovaries are the only ones to which menopause applies. The conclusion of reproductive years occurs naturally without  being a disease since it marks the normal end of this phase. The body and mind experience transformations as  hormone levels decrease. Symptoms typically begin during perimenopause which precedes menopause and continue for a while  after menopause has ended.

When and Why It Happens

The ovaries normally produce hormones oestrogen and progesterone during each monthly cycle which leads up to ovulation. The ovaries start to lose their regularity during the menopause transition which usually begins in a woman’s mid-40s hormone levels go up and down and periods may become irregular. This transition is called perimenopause rcog.org.uknhs.uk. It can last months or even several years. About half of women notice symptoms during perimenopause (for example, periods that are heavier, lighter or more erratic than usual). Eventually the ovaries stop releasing eggs altogether. Once you have missed 12 months without a period, you are in menopause. Everything after that point is called postmenopause. (In practice, the word “menopause” is often used for the whole menopausal period, but strictly it refers to the point after that year of no periods.)

Menopause can also be brought on suddenly by surgery or illness. You should practice showing yourself understanding. The life transition of menopause resembles a new chronic disease that requires management therefore you should feel comfortable asking for help. The difference in your daily work life will improve through brief pauses and explaining menopause symptoms to colleagues for their understanding about your need for time.

Common Symptoms

Menopause occurs immediately after a woman has both ovaries removed from her body. The ovaries can suffer damage during cancer treatments which leads to menopause. The symptoms remain identical when menopause begins suddenly. The body experiences numerous symptoms during menopause and perimenopause because hormone levels change throughout the body Common ones include physical signs and emotional changes:

• Physical symptoms: Hot flushes present as brief heat sensations that originate in facial and chest areas and they affect many individuals. People who experience night sweats face periodic hot flushes during their sleep which results in sleep disturbances. The most prominent physical symptoms in menopause patients include extreme fatigue and sleep disturbances alongside muscle and joint discomfort and migraine pain and weight gain around the abdominal area Another group of typical symptoms is changes in vaginal and bladder functions. The vagina often loses its moisture and flexibility while showing increased sensitivity to infections that disrupt sexual activity. Women going through this phase report higher rates of urinary tract infections. It is common for women to experience decreased libido during menopause. Physical symptoms manifest through heart palpitations and hair loss and modifications in skin and nail conditions.
• Emotional symptoms:The menopause transition brings about abrupt emotional changes which women experience. The symptoms of menopause cause women to have powerful mood swings which lead to emotional instability. The condition triggers both tearfulness and irritability in women which leads to sudden feelings of anxiety. Menopause commonly leads to lower moods and cases of mild depression among affected women. Many women report feeling excessively tired while others experience a chronic lack of energy. The experience of menopause can lead to decreased focus and memory retention which people refer to as “brain fog.”

Diagnosis and Seeing a Doctor

Menopause is usually diagnosed based on age and symptoms. If you are over 45 and have the typical symptoms (like changes to your periods plus flushes), a doctor often does not need any blood tests – they can tell you’re probably in menopause just from talking to you rcog.org.uk. However, if you are under 45, especially under 40, the doctor may suggest tests to rule out other causes. For example, your GP can check hormone levels in blood (like the follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH level) bupa.co.uk. Very high FSH levels on tests (repeated after a few weeks) can confirm that the ovaries aren’t producing normal hormones.

Each woman experiences different menopause symptoms in her unique way. Creating a basic daily record of your symptoms including hot flush occurrences and sleep patterns and mood changes will help your doctor understand your condition.That way you can get the right advice or treatment.

Treating Symptoms

Numerous women search for methods which help decrease menopause symptoms. The primary medical intervention for menopause involves  HRT (hormone replacement therapy) which provides oestrogen together with progesterone to substitute  ovarian hormone production. Most women who receive HRT through their doctors find it both safe and effective but  the doctor will explain potential risks during consultation. HRT is available in multiple delivery systems including tablet forms  and skin patches as well as gels and implants which require different dosages. Women who keep their womb  (uterus) need to take progesterone with oestrogen because it maintains the health of the womb  lining.

The main advantage of HRT treatment consists of its ability to alleviate numerous menopausal symptoms.  The treatment typically brings about substantial reduction of hot flushes and night sweats that stops these symptoms within  several weeks. The treatment helps alleviate mood swings as well as concentration problems and vaginal dryness.  The long-term use of HRT provides protection against osteoporosis and possibly decreases heart disease risk that develops after  menopause. Women who experience extremely low sex drive (libido) might receive testosterone doses with HRT  because testosterone boosts their energy levels as well as sexual desire.

Managing Symptoms

Talking therapies serve as a beneficial treatment method for various conditions. The counselling method CBT helps individuals address mood alterations and anxiety together with sleep disturbances that occur during menopause. Research indicates that CBT reduces depressive symptoms and anxiety while teaching individuals how to handle hot flushes through stress management techniques. Lifestyle modifications together with personal self-care practices create substantial positive effects. The NHS recommends basic lifestyle alterations that function independently or can be combined with medical treatments to relieve symptoms.

• Exercise regularly: The combination of walking, swimming and yoga performed in moderate amounts daily will reduce hot flush occurrences while simultaneously improving both sleep quality and mood state. The practice of exercise aids in maintaining body weight while simultaneously enhancing bone strength. Each day requires thirty minutes of moderate physical activity.
• Eat a healthy diet:A balanced diet should consist of dairy products alongside leafy greens and vitamin D-containing foods to strengthen your bones. Your body will remain healthy and weight management will become easier when you eat sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Keep cool: Choose removable clothing layers to stay cool while maintaining a cool bedroom environment. Adjusting the heating settings and using a fan together with lightweight bedding will reduce hot flushes and night sweats.
• Cut out triggers: Some women experience hot flushes because of caffeine alcohol and spicy foods in their diet. The frequency of hot flushes decreases when you limit or eliminate these substances from your diet. Quitting smoking stands as a recommended step because smoking causes both stronger flushes and premature menopause.
• Manage vaginal dryness: When vaginal dryness occurs during sex you should apply water-based lubricants or moisturizers from the pharmacy for relief. Using vaginal moisturising products from pharmacies on a regular basis will also aid in this condition.
• Support your emotional health: Support your emotional health by obtaining sufficient sleep and practicing relaxation methods which combine deep breathing techniques with mindfulness meditation and gentle stretching exercises to reduce your stress levels.

Your GP or menopause nurse will provide additional guidance together with regular medical examinations. A follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider will occur after several months of HRT treatment to evaluate its effectiveness and discuss future plans.

Impact on Everyday Life

Menopause brings physical transformations alongside challenges to everyday life and overall wellness. The symptoms during menopause significantly affect numerous women in their work environments and their relationships as well as their family interactions. Night sweats that disrupt your sleep will cause extreme tiredness which decreases your ability to focus and worsens your emotional state both at work and at home. The existence of mood swings and anxiety symptoms can create tension within personal relationships. Sexual desire reduction combined with vaginal discomfort creates difficulties in maintaining intimacy with your partner. You shouldn’t feel ashamed about these symptoms since they happen to most women and will disappear after some time.

You should practice showing yourself understanding. The life transition of menopause resembles a new chronic disease that requires management therefore you should feel comfortable asking for help. The difference in your daily work life will improve through brief pauses and explaining menopause symptoms to colleagues for their understanding about your need for time.

About Dr Tanja Phillips

Dr Tanja Phillips serves as a General Practitioner while being registered with the GMC who dedicates herself to women’s health and aesthetic medicine. Dr Phillips has completed extensive training in non-surgical procedures which includes laser and aesthetic therapies as well as advanced face body and intimate health treatments. Dr Phillips uses her extensive medical background to deliver patient-centered care for women across all health stages including menopause by providing evidence-based guidance with empathy