World Menopause Day 2021

Today marks World Menopause Day, but how many of us truly have an understanding or awareness of menopause and it’s impact on women during what should be a very natural part of their life cycle, unless we have personally been through it?

What is the menopause?

The menopause is when a woman comes to the end of her reproductive years and stops having menstrual cycles, a very natural part of ageing that usually happens between 45 and 55 years old.

Should be simple right? “It’s just when a woman’s period stops – what’s the problem and the fuss all about?”

Well it’s slightly more complicated than that and this is why.

The menopause is caused by a change in the balance of the body’s sex hormones, which occur as women get older. It happens when the ovaries stop producing as much of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Lower levels of these hormones cause menopause symptoms.

Symptoms of menopause

Most women will experience some of the symptoms associated with menopause and the duration and severity of these symptoms varies from woman to woman.

Symptoms can also start a few months or even years before a woman’s menstrual cycle stops, this is known as the perimenopause.

On average, most symptoms last around 4 years from the last cycle however, around 1 in 10 women experience symptoms for up to 12 years after.

What are the symptoms?

Wait for it, it’s a long old list of approximately 34 symptoms, and a little bit more than just hot flushes!

1. Irregular periods

2. Hot flushes

3. Night sweats

4. Fatigue

5. Water and gas bloating

6. Vaginal dryness

7. Digestive problems

8. Lower libido

9. Mood swings

10. Depression

11. Headaches

12. Weight gain

13. Breast tenderness and pain

14. A hot mouth

15. Joint issues

16. Dizzy spells

17. Muscle tension

18. Thinner hair

19. Electric shocks

20. Gum issues

21. Pins and needles

22. Lack of focus

23. Lapses in memory

24. Itchy skin

25. Anxiety

26. Brittle nails

27. Poor sleep

28. Urinary incontinence

29. Body odour

30. Hayfever & allergies

31. Heart palpitations

32. Irritability

33. Panic attacks

34. Osteoporosis

The good news is (yep there is good news)… every woman is different, therefore every menopause experience is different. You could experience many or just a few of these symptoms other than menstrual cycle changes and hot flushes.

If you do notice any, be sure to make an appointment to chat about the options and support available with your GP or doctor, there is help available.

Check out these organisations that can provide information and support:

Menopause Support – https://menopausesupport.co.uk/

Bupa Women’s Health Hub – https://www.bupa.co.uk/womens-health/menopause-support

Menopause and Me – https://www.menopauseandme.co.uk/

British Menopause Society – https://thebms.org.uk/

The Balance App by Dr Louise Newson – https://www.balance-menopause.com/balance-app/

NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/

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