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What I need to know about the menopause?

Today we want to give you some basic information about the menopause that you can refer back to again and again. We’ll also give you an overview and web links to further information if you want to know more.

Let’s get started.

What is the menopause?

The menopause is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle and fertility. It occurs when:

• your ovaries stop producing oestrogen and progesterone.
• you have not had a period for a year.

The menopause occurs naturally with increasing age. However, it can also be triggered by an operation, the treatment of an illness or a disease. Depending on the cause, this is referred to as induced menopause, surgical menopause or primary ovarian insufficiency.

When does the menopause begin?

The menopause usually begins between the ages of 45-55 if it occurs naturally. However, it can also occur before your 40th birthday. This is known as premature menopause. The age at which your menopause begins is mainly determined by your genes.

How do I recognise the symptoms?

When the menopause starts naturally, the first sign you will notice is an irregular menstrual cycle. The cycle usually comes to a halt after about 4 years once it has fallen out of rhythm.

According to current knowledge, some symptoms can be attributed to the menopause. You can find a list of possible symptoms in our symptom checker. Here you can read about the problem, the causes and possible solutions for each specific symptom.

What phases are there during the menopause?

The menopause is generally divided into three phases:

Perimenopause

Your cycles become irregular, but they have not stopped. Most women reach this phase in their mid-40s. You may already notice some symptoms during this phase and you can still get pregnant.

Menopause

This is the time when you have your last period. You won’t know for sure until you haven’t had a period for a year. Symptoms such as hot flushes, sleep problems and other symptoms often appear now.

Postmenopause

The postmenopause begins twelve months after your last period. Once this has happened, you are referred to as postmenopausal for the rest of your life. During this phase, the hormonal balance in the female body slowly comes to rest and stabilises at a new level. Typical symptoms such as hot flushes and sweating usually improve.

Remember that after more than a year without menstruation due to the menopause, vaginal bleeding is not normal, so inform your doctor as soon as possible if it occurs.

How can I test if I am in the menopause?

The most accurate way to find out if you are menopausal is to observe your menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months. It is helpful to observe your period and make a note if it becomes irregular. You are in the menopause if you have not had a period for 12 months.

You can also have your blood or urine tested for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The levels rise sharply when your ovaries start to close. We will describe and provide various tests on our website at a later date.

How do I deal with the symptoms?

Knowledge is power. We recommend that you inform yourself first. The best place to start is with the symptoms. Write them down over several weeks and read about them in our Symptom Checker. We have also created guides that deal with specific situations.

There are now various measures:

Adjust your lifestyle

A healthy diet and a regular exercise programme help to manage symptoms and improve health. Now is the right time to give up old, unhealthy habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Susanne Vogel, our menopause coach expert, offers you comprehensive 1:1 coaching over several months. If you would like to change your diet, Breda Gavin-Smith, our Clinical Dietitian, will soon be able to help you with an online course and 1+1 coaching.

Hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy

If you still have a uterus, your doctor may prescribe treatment with oestrogen and progestogen. This is called combined hormone therapy (HT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It helps with hot flushes and night sweats and prevents osteoporosis. If you do not have a uterus, you can only receive oestrogens. Hormone therapy is not suitable for everyone. Do not take it if you have already had breast cancer, uterine or endometrial cancer, blood clots, liver disease or a stroke. Also do not take them if you could be pregnant or have unrecognised vaginal bleeding.

Over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements

Over-the-counter medications and supplements can also help with certain symptoms such as vaginal dryness and sleep disorders. As a nutritional supplement specialist, we bring vegan Meno products to the market for hot flushes, mood swings and sleep disorders.

Herbal or natural remedies

Many women also want to try herbal or natural remedies. Sarah Davison, our registered homeopathy expert can help via online courses and 1:1 coaching. 

Acupuncture, meditation and relaxation techniques

Acupuncture, meditation and relaxation techniques are methods to alleviate the stress of the menopause. Read our Meno Health Information #004 on stress. Katharina Ambühl, certified resilience coach, will help you to improve your resilience with 1:1 coaching.

Exchange with like-minded people

Last but not least, it helps to exchange ideas with each other. We organise regular physical meetings for this purpose, which we call Meno Meet-ups. You can find the dates on our community page.

Register with us and join hundreds of women who have found comfort and guidance on our comprehensive website.

Joëlle & Adrian