The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs 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. However, around 1 in 100 women experience the menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

 

Most women will experience menopausal symptoms. Some of these can be quite severe and have a significant impact on your everyday activities.

 

Symptoms include:

Anxiety	Crying Spells	Poor Memory	Poor Concentration	Low Mood	Brain Fog
Low Self Esteem	Headaches	Depression	Loss of Joy	Difficulty Sleeping	Tired
Dry Eyes	Irregular Periods	Oral Health Changes	Dry/Itchy Skin	Mood Swings	Lacking Energy
Irritability	Feeling Faint	Loss of Confidence	Aching Joints	Hot Flushes	Night Sweats
Palpitations	Vaginal Dryness	Urinary Symptoms	Loss of Libido	Thinning Hair	Discomfort during Sex
Restless Legs	Indigestion	Tinnitus	Reduce Muscle Mass	Weight Gain

 

Menopausal symptoms can begin months or even years before your period stops and last around 4 years after your last period, although some women experience them for much longer.