Menopause is experienced by hundreds of thousands of women in the UK. With many years of experience in providing specialist Women’s Health services, our professional approach means you can find the right support, no matter what menopause means to you.
Read on to find out more about menopause and what to expect with Modality LLP.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is the name given to the hormonal transition women go through when their monthly menstrual cycles come to an end. Menopause is a naturally occurring change experienced by women, marking an end to their reproductive years and the ability to conceive. A naturally occurring change in women, menopause periods gradually and naturally stop occurring, to the point where you permanently don’t have periods.
When Does Menopause Start?
Menopause in women starts in middle age, and can occur over a number of years or rapidly. In the UK, on average, women aged between 45 and 55 experience menopause. For many women experiencing menopause naturally, the most common age is between 45 and 55, although women can go through menopause earlier in life, either naturally or due to a pre-existing medical condition or surgery that removes the reproductive organs, such as a hysterectomy.
What Causes Menopause?
As women age, the ovaries’ ability to produce oestrogen and eggs significantly decreases, as the organ becomes less responsive to hormones in the pituitary gland. Often referred to as ovarian follicular function, the ovary no longer reproduces eggs for fertilisation, resulting in a decrease and eventual end to cyclic menstruation in women.
What Happens in Menopause?
The body goes through significant changes during menopause, which can lead to physical, emotional, mental and social difficulties due to the hormonal fluctuations. The subsequent reduction in hormones presents itself with notable physical and emotional symptoms, including mood swings, emotional changes, hot flushes, brain fog and irregular periods. Due to the significant transition the body goes through during the menopause, many women are affected in their day to day life, be that at work, at home, or through their relationships.
Perimenopause
Menopause is only reached, and technically only ends, if a woman has not had a period for a whole year, or 12 months in a row. Due to this, many women experience menopausal symptoms for years at a time, with irregular periods and physical symptoms being exhibited over a period of months or years. This transitional period is referred to as ‘perimenopause’. As perimenopause can last for up to several years, it often causes, and is cited as causing, significant disruption, discomfort and difficulty in day to day life for women.
Why Does Menopause Happen?
Menopause occurs due to natural aging, and is a natural response and result of experiencing lower hormone levels due to reduced reproductive organ function.
If you think you may be starting to experience menopause, it’s best to speak to a professional and seek a medical diagnosis. At Modality, our team of specialist gynaecologists can discuss tailored care plans for managing the hormonal transition in day to day life. This may include therapies and medical treatments, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
What is the Average Age for Menopause?
Although the average age for women to experience menopause is between 45 and 55, women can go through menopause in their early forties, or earlier, for various reasons which may include:
- Family history
- Autoimmune disorders
- Genetic factors
- Chemotherapy or pelvic radiation treatment
- A hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)
- An oophorectomy (surgical removal or the ovary)
Speak to a gynaecologist today
What Age Does Menopause Stop?
The average age that menopause stops varies between women, and is determined by a wide variety of factors, including family genetics, your general health and lifestyle, reproductive history, and environmental factors.
What Are the Symptoms of Menopause?
Menopausal symptoms include emotional and physical changes that can sometimes adversely affect day to day life. The most common symptoms of menopause are:
- Hot flushes, referring to a sudden feeling of heat around the face, neck and chest, often accompanied by dizziness, a flushing of skin, sweating, and a feeling of discomfort for several minutes
- Irregular periods or bleeding
- Difficult sleeping, including night sweats, leading to tiredness and irritability in the day
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort
- Recurring urinary issues including UTIs (urinary tract infections)
- Muscle and joint aches and pains
- Headaches and migraines that are more painful than usual
- Heart palpitations and noticeable heartbeat
- Mood changes, including low moods, irritability, and low self esteem
- Symptoms of depression and/or anxiety
- Reduced sex drive
Less Common Symptoms of Menopause
- Tingling sensation in hands and feet
- Formication – a mild to severe itching sensation that feels like ants/ insects crawling across your skin
- ‘Burning tongue’ – the feeling of tingling, soreness, dryness or a metallic taste on the tongue, caused by the activation of pain-sensitive nerve cells around the taste bud
- Tinnitus – a mild to severe ‘ringing’ in the ear, caused by changes to the oestrogen receptors in the ear
- Altered spatial awareness
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Thinning hair
- Body odour
Treatments and Relief for Menopausal Symptoms
For women who suffer considerably during menopause, due to physical, or emotional symptoms, there are treatments and coping strategies available.
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
In the UK, this includes a hormonal treatment called HRT, or hormonal replacement therapy. HRT replaces the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone to maintain your hormonal levels and reduce the physical and emotional symptoms.
Types of HRT Treatment
HRT treatment options vary and include hormonal supplement tablets, patches, gel, spray, vaginal rings, pessaries or cream. HRT usually consists of taking both oestrogen and progesterone, or just taking oestrogen.
Who Can Get HRT for Menopause in the UK?
The suitability of HRT treatment varies between women. For example, HRT is not appropriate for women who have a history of breast cancer, blood clots, or untreated high blood pressure. Book a consultation with one of our specialist gynaecologists to discuss your treatment options.
Alternatives to HRT
There are a variety of non hormonal treatments for menopause, which may be more suitable based on your personal preference, medical history, age, or stage of menopause.
Some of the most common prescribed treatments for menopause include:
- Clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure)
- Antidepressants
- Gabapentin and/ or Pregabalin, to treat epilepsy, nerve pain or anxiety
- Topical treatments such as vaginal moisturisers, lubricants and gels
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), a talking therapy to help with mental health problems associated with menopause, such as low mood, depression or anxiety
Explore Modality LLP’s range of services and treatments
Coping Strategies for Menopause
Beyond prescribed medicines and hormonal treatments, there are various habits and lifestyle changes you can adopt to help mitigate and manage the overall effects of menopause in your day-to-day life. These include:
- Sleep well – A regular sleeping pattern and a minimum of seven to eight hours sleep can help with low mood, memory problems and irritability
- Exercise regularly – Physical activity produces endorphins, the feel good hormone, helping to reduce emotional symptoms of menopause
- Keeping active – Keeping mobile and active can help you with balance and mobility
- Keeping social – Keeping a social calendar can help with cognitive ability, memory and your mental health
- Reducing alcohol – Reducing your intake of alcohol can help you mentally and physically as your body adjusts to hormonal fluctuations
- Eating well– Eating a well balanced diet that improves your overall health can help manage menopausal symptoms
Finding Support for Managing Menopause
In the UK, there are menopause specialists available through your GP, nurse, or pharmacist, as well as British Menopause Society, a non-profit organisation that works directly with healthcare professionals, acting as an established authority for menopause and post reproductive health in the UK.
Beyond established authorities and the healthcare system, women can find support, help and advice through dedicated charities and communities offering support for women going through menopause. At Modality, our team of specialist gynaecologists can also work with you to discuss tailored care plans for managing menopause.
Addressing the Topic Menopause in Society
There have been notable nationwide campaigns to address the topic of menopause in mainstream media. Non-profit organisations, charities and communities work to address how women are impacted by menopause, be that at work, at home, or in society as a whole. Organisations are continuously working to tackle societal stigmas, break down social norms, and campaign for increased education, awareness, and support for women who are adversely affected by menopause.
Modality LLP partners with professional gynaecologists to provide bespoke and tailored support for women who are going through menopause. If you are struggling with symptoms of menopause, or are looking for guidance and advice for coping with the menopause, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
