Menopause

Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.

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. Read more about the menopause here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/

But around 1 in 100 women experience the menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as early/ premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. Please see NHS link for further information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-menopause/

Your GP can offer treatments and suggest lifestyle changes if you have severe menopausal symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day life.

Your GP may refer you to a menopause specialist if your symptoms do not improve after trying treatment or if you’re unable to take HRT. If you wanted more information on help and advice please see the following links, patient leaflets and podcasts:

The links below are to websites of organisations dedicated to the study and understanding of the climacteric and adult women’s health. For Women & Professionals:

• Menopause Matters – This is an independent, clinician-led website. Its aim is to provide easily accessible, up-to-date, accurate information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options, including Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and alternative therapies, so that women and health professionals can make informed choices about menopause management.
• The Womens Health Council – The Women’s Health Council provides menopause information and services for women in Ireland and has carried out a substantial body of research.
• Manage My Menopause – The leading site for tailored menopausal advice provided by experts
• Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) – The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals is the leading source for trusted medical education and information on reproductive and sexual health. We educate health care providers, inform consumers, and help shape public policy.
• National Womens Health Resource Center – A nonprofit organization, dedicated to helping women make informed decisions about their health, to encourage healthy lifestyles, to promote wellness, and to prevent disease. Providing access to health information and resources is the Center’s primary goal. The information provided on the site is comprehensive, objective, and supported by an advisory council comprised of leading medical and health experts.
• The Menopause Health Club – The Menopause Health Club (Mid Age Club) was conceptualized and founded by Dr Kala shah in 1999 to facilitate her mission of awareness of this hard to diagnose and treat condition. Currently Menopause Health Club focuses on education, raising public interest and creating solutions that encompass medical, social and psychological issues for middle aged women and their families.

Our Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy for England

In March 2021, the government launched a call for evidence to inform the development of the first Women’s Health Strategy for England.

Analysis of the call for evidence consultation response has informed the development of this document, which is published alongside the consultation response.

This document sets out the government’s Vision for the Women’s Health Strategy for England.

---

---

Organisations and charities

Blogs on Menopause