Frequently Asked Questions

Menopause is a stage of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55, as a woman’s oestrogen levels decline. It is defined as the point when menstruation has stopped for twelve consecutive months.

Not every woman will experience a natural menopause.

• Natural menopause: For most women, menopause occurs naturally, typically between 45–55, with the average age in the UK being 51.
   
• Early or premature menopause: Some women experience menopause before 45. Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) occurs before age 40 and affects around 1% of women.
   
• Induced menopause: Menopause can also result from surgery (e.g., hysterectomy) or medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In these cases, symptoms may appear suddenly and can be more severe.
   
• Stages: Menopause is a continuum, including perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
   
• Symptoms and impact: Menopause affects women physically, psychologically, and emotionally, with wide variation in type and intensity. Some women experience mild changes, while others—especially after medical treatment—may face sudden or severe symptoms.

In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.

The perimenopause, which is the period of hormonal change leading up to the menopause, can often last for four to five years although for some women it may continue for many more years or for others last just a few months. 

During the time of the perimenopause women may begin to experience symptoms due to changes in their hormone levels. 

For some women - particularly after medical treatment - symptoms can be sudden and more severe.

These symptoms may vary in degree between different individuals from mild to very significant.

The symptoms of the menopause vary from one individual to another.  It is important that you are aware of the symptoms, you can use the symptom checker on the website.  

Some women who have other medical conditions, for example, fibromyalgia, may find it difficult to distinguish between existing symptoms and those of the menopause.  

Knowledge and understanding are important for you, and we all know our bodies, it is about listening to what is happening and listing the things that are different.  Keeping a diary, or use the Balance Menopause App, is so important when we seek to understand what is happening to us. 

There are varied symptoms of the menopause, and every woman will experience her own unique menopause.  However, the information below is an excellent guide to symptoms you might expect as you approach your menopause.  These have been developed by Dr Louise Newson is a GP and Menopause Specialist who works to increase awareness and knowledge of the perimenopause and menopause, and campaigns for better menopause care for all women. 

Period changes: This is often the first sign. You can experience a change in flow and your periods will become less frequent, before stopping completely. 

Hot flushes: This is the most common symptom of all, affecting three out of four women. Hot flushes can come on suddenly at any time of day, spreading throughout your face, chest and body. For some women they may last for moments, for others several minutes. Hot flushes can have associated symptoms such as sweating, dizziness or even heart palpitations. 

Night sweats: Many women find they wake up drenched in sweat and have to change their pyjamas or bed clothes. This can also be a disruptive symptom for partners too. 

Mood changes: Some women who suffer from mood changes find they are very disruptive to work and home life. You may find mood changes more common if you have had premenstrual syndrome in the past. 

Fatigue and poor sleep: Poor sleep can be related to night sweats, but you may find you are more tired during the day even if your sleep is not affected. 

Brain fog: This is a collective term for symptoms such as memory slips, poor concentration, difficultly absorbing information and a feeling your brain is like ‘cotton wool’. Brain fog can not only present a challenge while at work, it can also affect the simplest of tasks like reading a book or listening to the radio. 

Loss of sexual desire: It is common to lose interest in and pleasure from sex around the time of the menopause; feeling tired, having a low mood and experiencing night sweats can all be contributing factors. There is also a hormonal reason why your libido may feel rock-bottom. Women have testosterone, as well as men, and this hormone can influence our sex-drive. Testosterone levels tend to decline in women during the menopause which may lead to less interest in sex. 

Joint pains and muscle aches: Oestrogen is very important in providing lubrication for your joints and preventing inflammation, so low levels can leave your joints sore and aching. 

Hair and skin changes: Oestrogen helps to build collagen - the protein that protects the structure of our skin. Lower levels of estrogen can lead to reduced elasticity, fine lines and dryness. Some women find their skin becomes itchier, or they develop acne. Changing hormones can also make your hair thinner and less glossy, and you may notice increased facial hair growth. 

Worsening migraines: If you suffer from migraines, you may find they become more severe and closer together.

Vaginal and urinary symptoms: Low oestrogen can cause the tissues around the vagina to become thinner, dry, itchy and inflamed, known as vaginal atrophy . Your vagina also expands less easily during sex, making sex uncomfortable or painful. Low oestrogen also thins the lining of the bladder, leading to the urge to urinate more frequently. Some women find they have recurrent urinary tract infections.