Menopause

Symptoms, treatment and support services for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause.


What is menopause?

Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels, usually between the ages of 45 and 55.

It can also sometimes happen earlier naturally, for reasons such as removing ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown.

What is perimenopause?

Perimenopause is when you have symptoms before your periods have stopped. This can be years before menopause, on average between 5 and 7 years.

You reach menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 months.


Symptoms

Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot flushes
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Low self-esteem
  • Brain fog
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Palpitations
  • Headaches and migraines that are worse than usual
  • Changed body shape and weight gain
  • Skin changes including dry and itchy skin
  • Reduced sex drive
  • Vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort during sex
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards. It can feel different for everyone, and you may have one, several or no symptoms.

They can have a big impact on your life, including relationships, social life, family life and work.

There are things you can do to help with symptoms, including medicines that can replace the missing hormones and help relieve your symptoms.


Treatment

It’s your personal choice about how to manage symptoms of the menopause and long-term health.

Some people might prefer medical options including hormone replacement therapy (HRT), while others prefer a complementary approach, or to make lifestyle changes.

Talk to your GP practice

It is always recommended that you go to your GP practice if you are experiencing menopausal symptoms, so they can talk you through all the options.

Before your appointment, it’s a good idea to:

  • Make a note of any symptoms you’ve been experiencing, including frequency and duration
  • Consider how they’ve been affecting you, and how you’ve been attempting to manage them
  • Know your menstrual cycle history
  • Think about ways you would like to manage not just your menopause symptoms but your long-term health

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

For most women, HRT is a generally safe and effective treatment for symptoms of the menopause. It replaces the oestrogen your body is not producing through tablets, patches, gels, sprays or implants.

If you have a uterus (womb), you will need to take a hormone called a progestogen as well (combined HRT) to protect the lining of your uterus.

Benefits of HRT

HRT is very effective at relieving most perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms. Hot flushes, night sweats and mood changes can start to improve within a few days. Other symptoms such as joint pains and vaginal dryness can take a few weeks to improve.

Many people find their quality of life at home and at work improves when they take HRT.

Taking HRT can also reduce the risk of hormone-related health problems including osteoporosis, and, possibly, type 2 diabetes.

Risks of HRT

For most women, the benefits of HRT usually outweigh the small risks.

HRT can slightly increase the risk of breast cancer and some types can increase the risk of blood clots. Oral oestrogen is generally not recommended if you have previously had a stroke or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). HRT should only be used after expert advice if there is a previous history or high risk of breast or womb (uterine or endometrial) cancer.

You can potentially take HRT for as long as the benefits outweigh the risks, which may be for many years.

Lifestyle changes and self-care

A healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on menopausal symptoms and long-term health. Implementing even small changes will help you feel like your symptoms are more under control.

Ways to lead a healthy lifestyle:

  • Quit smoking
  • Do regular exercise
  • Cut down (or completely cut out) the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Go to bed at the same time every night, avoid screens and keep your bedroom cool
  • Enjoy a well-balanced diet
  • Limit your intake of caffeine during the day and steer clear completely at night
  • Talk about what you’re experiencing to reduce anxiety and stress

Complementary treatments

Some people choose to take herbal remedies such as black cohosh, soya-based foods, and red clover for hot flushes.

There is little research or evidence to say how effective these are, and they can have side-effects or interact with other drugs, so you are encouraged to talk to a GP or qualified medical herbalist before you choose these.


What menopause and perimenopause support is available in Portsmouth?

Portsmouth Menopause Support Group

Set up by resident, Kerry Hutton, the Portsmouth Menopause Support Group is a safe and supportive environment for women struggling with symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.

The group initially started as a closed group on Facebook and has grown into a monthly meeting. Both offer the opportunity for women to share their feelings, ask questions and support each other.

Resources

There is a Menopause collection of resources available at Southsea Library.

Support at work

Speak to your employer to find out what support is available. We’re aware of the following support services through our partner organisations:


More information

Women’s Health Concern is a national charity with a dedicated menopause section of their website. In July 2012, they officially become the patient arm of British Menopause Society.

Menopause Support is home of the national campaign, #MakeMenopauseMatter, which has free resources, a closed Facebook group and the Menopause Support Network.

Read more about menopause and perimenopause on the NHS website.