Menopause

Menopause

“Menopause is when you have your final menstrual period.
Your periods stop because your ovaries stop producing
certain hormones and stop producing eggs”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Change of Life
  • Crash Menopause
  • Early Menopause
  • Going Through the Menopause
  • Induced Menopause
  • Menopausal/Menopause Transition
  • Menopause
  • Natural Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause
  • Postmenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Second Half of Your Life
  • Surgical Menopause
  • The Change
  • The Change of Life
  • The Time of Life
  • The Menopause Years
  • The Menopause-Related Years
  • The Three Stages of Menopause

Definition

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. In Menopause: Overview the World Health Organization’s definition is:

“Natural menopause is deemed to have occurred after 12 consecutive months without menstruation for which there is no other obvious physiological or pathological cause and in the absence of clinical intervention”.2

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions, published online 01 December 2023, the authors’ definition is:

“Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation in a non-hysterectomized woman. As many women may not be naturally menstruating when their menopause transition begins, for example due to hormonal contraception, having had an endometrial ablation or hysterectomy or pre-existing oligo-amenorrhea, a pragmatic definition of menopause is the permanent cessation of ovarian function”.3

On page four in Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Definitions – Menopause the definition used by the International Menopause Society is:

“Menopause – the last day of a woman’s last period ever”.4

In Menopause: What Is Menopause? the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Menopause is when you have your final menstrual period. Your periods stop because your ovaries stop producing certain hormones and stop producing eggs”.5

Typical Age

What is the typical age at menopause?

In Optimising Health After Early Menopause: Summary, published 08 March 2024, the authors note:

“The typical age at menopause is 50–51 years in high-income countries. However, early menopause is common, with around 8% of women in high-income countries and 12% of women globally experiencing menopause between the ages of 40 years and 44 years. Menopause before age 40 years (premature ovarian insufficiency) affects an additional 2–4% of women”.6

Different Differences

Do all women experience the same menopause?

No. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Different women experience different symptoms, at different times, in different ways, of different intensity, for different lengths of time.



Healthy Lifestyle

Can a healthy lifestyle improve menopause symptoms?

In the Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause, first published online 10 June 2022, one of the recommendations is:

  • “Women should be advised that implementing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle can improve menopause symptoms. A healthy diet (one low in saturated fat and salt and rich in calcium and vitamin D), stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and including regular exercise can be beneficial. Reducing caffeine intake may also improve symptoms”.7

Hormone Therapy

How effective is hormone therapy (HT) for the treatment of menopause symptoms?

On page one in The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy, published October 2024, the Menopause Society note:

“Hormone therapy remains first-line therapy for management of bothersome vasomotor symptoms, and the benefits typically outweigh the risks for most healthy women when initiated younger than age 60 years or within 10 years of menopause onset with appropriate counseling.

Hormone therapy is indicated for the treatment of bothersome vasomotor symptoms,
genitourinary syndrome of menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, and prevention of bone loss and reduction of fracture risk”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with my menopause?

If you would like help with your menopause, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

“Talk to your doctor if:

  • You are younger than 45 and your periods are irregular or have stopped
  • You have symptoms that are interfering with your daily activities, including exercise and work
  • You have symptoms that are affecting your mental health or your relationships
  • You have not had a menstrual period for 12 months, and you then have a period or bleeding from the vagina”.9

In Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment the (United States) Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:

“Before deciding on any form of treatment, talk with your healthcare professional about your choices and the risks and benefits of each. Review your choices yearly. Your needs and the treatment choices may change”.10

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. A Man’s Guide To Menopause
  2. ACOG Explains: Managing Menopause Symptoms [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]
  3. Addressing Menopause Symptoms
  4. An Empowerment Model for Managing Menopause
  5. Ask Early Menopause [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  6. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  7. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  8. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  9. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
  11. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Healthcare Visit
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding—When To See A Clinician
  13. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  14. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Diagnosis and Evidence-Based Management
  15. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
  16. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Sleep Disturbances In Menopause
  17. Empowering the Health of Women In Midlife
  18. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In Video
  19. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  20. Find A Menopause Practitioner [The Menopause Society: United States and Other]
  21. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  22. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  23. First Symptoms of Menopause
  24. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  25. Glossary of Terms
  26. HRT Questions Answered
  27. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  28. Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
  29. How To Manage Menopausal Symptoms
  30. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  31. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
  32. IMS Interview Series for Women: Lifestyle Medicine With Prof. Rossella Nappi | For Women
  33. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  34. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  35. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Menopause]
  36. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [Other Languages and Formats] [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  37. MS and Menopause
  38. Management of Perimenopausal and Menopausal Symptoms
  39. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  40. Managing Menopause: Navigating A Challenging Transition
  41. Menopause
    Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause
  44. Menopause
  45. Menopause
  46. Menopause
    Menopause
  47. Menopause
    Menopause
  48. Menopause Basics
  49. Menopause Checklist Podcast
  50. Menopause Definitions
  51. Menopause Information Hub
  52. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  53. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  54. Menopause and MS [Multiply Sclerosis]
  55. Menopause and Mental Health
  56. Menopause and Sleep
  57. Menopause – Is It Really A Pause To Health?
  58. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  59. Menopause: Definitions and Terms
  60. Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
  61. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  62. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Menopause
  63. Menopause: Multiply Languages
  64. Menopause: Your Choice of Language
  65. Menstrual Calendar
  66. Midlife Health
  67. Monitoring Menopause Symptoms
  68. Mood and the Menopause
  69. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  70. National Women’s Health Week [10 – 16 May 2026]
  71. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  72. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Menopause
  73. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: New IMS Recommendations – Diagnosis of Menopause (STRAW+10)
  74. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: New IMS Recommendations – Midlife Body Changes
  75. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Weight, Wellness, and Women At Midlife: Rethinking Obesity In the Menopause Transition
  76. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
  77. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  78. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
  79. National Women’s Health Week 2026 [10 – 16 May]
    Menopause Symptoms
  80. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  81. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
    Menopause
  82. Perimenopause and Menopause Toolkit
  83. Prioritizing Care During Midlife: Personal, Professional, and Health Care Strategies for Women
  84. Q&A: What To Know When Treating Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ Patients During Menopause
  85. Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]
    Menopause
  86. Supplements: What Works, What Doesn’t and the Truth About Menowashing
  87. Surprising Menopause Symptoms | Dr Louise Newson Live
  88. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  89. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Sexual Desire
  90. The Menopause Society Show: Menopause & Weight Gain
  91. Top 5 Menopause Articles of 2025
  92. Top Menopause Questions Answered: Hormones, Bones, Sex & Sleep
  93. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
  94. When You Should See A Doctor About Menopause (or Perimenopause) Symptoms
  95. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause
  96. Why Men Need To Understand The Menopause & Women’s Hormones | Dr Louise Newson
  97. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Menopause Menopause
  98. Your Daily Dose: Let’s Unpack Menopause
  99. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Don’t Suffer In Silence
  100. Your Daily Dose: Perimenopause, Here’s What To Know

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Menopause. What Is Menopause? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 May 2026
  2. Menopause: Overview. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 14 May 2026
  3. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Definitions. Published Online: 01 December 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 14 May 2026
  4. Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Definitions – Menopause. Page 4. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMS-English-Factsheet-4-glossary.pdf Accessed: 14 May 2026
  5. Menopause. What Is Menopause? Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 May 2026
  6. Mishra, G. D., Davies, M. C., Hillman, S., Chung, H-F., Roy, S. and Hickey, M. Optimising Health After Early Menopause: Summary. Published: 05 March 2024. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)02800-3/fulltext Accessed: 14 May 2026
  7. Hamoda, H, Mukherjee, A, Morris, E, Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P, Moger, S. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause. First Published Online 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 14 May 2026
  8. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy: Indications for the Use of Hormone Therapy. 2024:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/TMS-statement-on-HT-Misinformation.pdf Accessed: 14 May 2026
  9. Menopause: How Do You Know If You’ve Reached Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 14 May 2026
  10. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 14 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 14 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 May 2026

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