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Making sense of menopause: what to expect and how to manage the change
Written byMedico Digital
Reviewed byDr Shazia Malik
Think menopause just means hot flushes? In reality, it’s a full-body transition. Here’s what to expect at each stage and the treatments that can help you feel more like yourself
Summary
1What is menopause?
Menopause is the stage in life when your menstrual cycles (periods) end, marking the transition out of your…
2Menopause symptoms
The symptoms of menopause and their intensity can vary greatly from one person to another...
3What causes menopause?
Menopause occurs due to a natural decline in hormone levels. For most women, this happens as they age...
While everyone who menstruates (has periods) will go through menopause, when and how it happens is different for everyone.1,2 With advice flooding in from blogs, vlogs and social media, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction and find the trustworthy information you need.
That’s why we’ve gathered everything you need to know – from what menopause really is to the symptoms you might encounter and the treatments that can help.
What is menopause?
Menopause is the stage in life when you’ve not had a period for 12 consecutive months and pregnancy is no longer possible, marking the transition out of your reproductive years.1-6 Your periods stop as a result of the reduction and loss of ‘ovarian reproductive function’, which means that the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilisation.4,6
When does menopause start and end?
Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years old, with the average age in the UK being 51.2,4,6
However, it’s possible to go through menopause earlier or later, and while ageing is the most common cause, certain surgical or medical procedures can also trigger it.1-6
The stages of menopause
Menopause unfolds in three stages: perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.1 Understanding each stage can help you navigate the changes and feel more prepared.
Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, when you first start to experience symptoms like irregular periods, hot flushes and mood changes.1,2,5
It’s possible to experience perimenopausal symptoms for two to eight years, with an average of about four years, before reaching full menopause.5
Some cycles during perimenopause may be anovulatory, meaning no egg is released, but ovulation can still occur in some months, making pregnancy possible.1,3-5
Menopause happens once you haven’t had a period or any other bleeding for 12 months.1,5
So, you hear people talk about the whole process as menopause - but menopause itself is only this one ‘anniversary’. Everything else is peri- or post!
After menopause comes the postmenopausal phase. While your perimenopause symptoms may begin to fade, others can linger.6
Given ongoing hormonal changes in the body, many women continue to experience symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations, vaginal dryness and mood changes for several years after menopause.1
Menopause symptoms
The symptoms of menopause and their intensity can vary greatly from one person to another.7 Some women have just a few mild symptoms, while others experience many at the same time – sometimes severe enough to disrupt daily life.7
The most defining sign of menopause is the end of your periods.1-4 But beyond that, you may also experience a range of other common symptoms, including:1-7
- hot flushes and night sweats
- brain fog
- mood changes
- palpitations (fluttery heartbeat)
- migraines
- joint pain
- low libido (sex drive)
What causes menopause?
Menopause occurs due to a natural decline in hormone levels.1
For most women, this happens as they age, with levels of oestrogen and other hormones naturally beginning to drop.1 But, menopause can also be brought on earlier in life by certain surgeries and medical treatments, like bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) or chemotherapy.1,2,8
Menopause treatment options
There are a number of ways to manage menopause symptoms, from remedies to medical treatments.
One of the most common medical options is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT is a safe and effective treatment that works to reduce symptoms of menopause and perimenopause by replacing the hormones that naturally decline during this stage.9,10
Available by prescription, HRT comes in several forms, including skin patches, gels or sprays applied to the skin, implants and the intrauterine system (IUS) or coil.9,10
Many women choose HRT to help relieve some of the most common symptoms of menopause, like hot flushes, brain fog, joint pain, mood changes and vaginal dryness.9,10 On top of that, HRT may also help reduce your risk of hormone-related health issues, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.9,10
There are other prescribed or doctor-led treatments for menopause symptoms which you can speak to your GP about.
Complications of menopause
As oestrogen levels dip during perimenopause and menopause, women face an increased risk of cardiovascular (heart) disease and osteoporosis once they enter postmenopause.1,11
To help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, maintaining a balanced diet and keeping up with exercise are key during postmenopause.1,12
To support your bone health and reduce your risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, stopping smoking, exercising regularly and taking a daily calcium supplement can make a significant difference. If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, your doctor may also prescribe medications to help support your bones.1,12
The final say
Navigating menopause can feel like a wild ride, full of unexpected twists and turns. But remember, you’re not alone, and there’s help available whenever you need it.
Whether you’re just reading up on what to expect or you’re in the full throes of menopause, we’re here to support you with a whole library of information on menopause symptoms, treatments and self-care. For starters, why not discover which gentle interventions for perimenopause and other menopause remedies might help you feel more like yourself during this transitional time?
And don’t forget, if you’re struggling with symptoms, need advice on treatment or just want someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. They’re there to help you every step of the way.
Disclaimer - This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Curated by experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Peacock K, et al. Menopause. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. Available
from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507826/
2. NHS. Menopause [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/
3. National Institute on Aging. What is menopause? [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause
4. World Health Organization. Menopause [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause
5. Office on Women’s Health. Menopause basics [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-basics
6. Dalal PK, Agarwal M. Postmenopausal Syndrome. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2015;57(6):222.
7. British Menopause Society. What is the menopause? [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/17-BMS-TfC-What-is-the-menopause-AUGUST2023-A.pdf
8. Secoșan C, et al. Surgically induced menopause—a practical review of literature. Medicina (Kaunas). 2019;55(8):482. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55080482
9. NHS. Menopause - Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/treatment/
10. NHS. Herbal remedies and complementary medicines for menopause symptoms [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/alternatives-to-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/herbal-remedies-and-complementary-medicines-for-menopause-symptoms/
11. NICE. Menopause: What are the complications? [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27] Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/menopause/background-information/complications/
12. Office on Women’s Health. Menopause and your health [Internet]. [cited 2025 Mar 27]. Available from: https://womenshealth.gov/menopause/menopause-and-your-health
