Published on 23 June 2022
Most women will experience some menopause symptoms. Their duration and severity varies from woman to woman, but they can be hard to live with. Our guide can help you understand and manage these symptoms.
Menopause symptoms usually start a few months or years before your periods stop. This is known as the perimenopause and can persist for some time afterwards. On average, most menopause symptoms last around four years from your last period. However, around one in every ten women experience menopause symptoms for up to 12 years.
If you experience the menopause suddenly rather than gradually – for example, as a result of cancer treatment – your symptoms may be worse.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Mr Ahmed Khalil, Consultant Gynaecologist, discusses the symptoms of menopause.
Symptoms of menopause overlap a lot with perimenopause. However, they are more intensified. So, women can have night sweats, hot flushes, hair loss and mood swings. Also, there will be some vaginal dryness and urinary problems. Some women will have their cognitive function affected by the menopause in the form of memory loss and brain fog.
What are the first signs of menopause?
The first signs usually appear during perimenopause, when hormone levels fluctuate and periods may become irregular, heavier, or lighter.
What are the most common menopause symptoms?
About eight in every ten women will have additional menopause symptoms for some time before and after their periods stop. These can have a significant impact on daily life for some women.
Most menopause symptoms are caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, especially low oestrogen.
Vasomotor
- Hot flushes (also known as hot flashes): short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, which can make your skin red and sweaty
- Night sweats: hot flushes that occur at night
- Palpitations: heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable
Sexual
- A reduced sex drive (libido)
- Vaginal dryness, irritation, or pain during sex (part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM)
- Itching, irritation or pain during sex
Psychological
- Difficulty focusing and a lack of motivation
- Fluctuating oestrogen can influence your brain chemistry and mood, leading to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of sadness, aggressiveness, and depression. Our guide to good mental health during the menopause has some helpful tips on dealing with these issues.
- Difficulty sleeping: this may make you feel tired and irritable during the day Problems with memory and concentration Mood changes, such as low mood or anxiety
Musculoskeletal
- Joint pain, stiffness and aches
- Reduced muscle mass
- Increased risk of developing weak bones (osteoporosis)
- Changes in body fat distribution and metabolism are common, though weight gain is often related to age, lifestyle and hormonal change
- Changes in breast tissue or fullness
Genitourinary
- Urinary urgency and frequency, which often accompany GSM
- Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Other types of symptoms
- Headaches, which may worsen around menopause
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Falling oestrogen levels can also increase the rick of cardiovascular disease over time
Is there a treatment for menopause symptoms?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms and also protects bone and heart health if started before age 60 or within ten years of menopause. HRT is usually continued until around the average age of natural menopause (about 51 years).
There are non-hormonal options for women who cannot or prefer not to take HRT and alternatives such as tibolone or clonidine. Lifestyle advice includes strength or weight-bearing exercise for bone protection and mindfulness or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for hot flushes and mood.
Speak to our experts
We're experts in women's health and offer a range of private menopause treatments and other gynaecology procedures in a discreet environment.
You can also book an Advanced female health assessment with Dr Fiona Warner, which includes comprehensive pathology biomarkers and is suitable for women that may be concerned with various stages of menopause and/or are 50 years old and over.
Contact our Private Patient team via Livechat, by completing our online enquiry form or by calling 01580 363158.