“Many people think weight gain is part of menopause,
but it’s more likely due to ageing
and lifestyle changes”.1
Umbrella
What may the Menopause Body Changes Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Menopause Changes
- Menopause and Body Changes
Perimenopause
During perimenopause what changes may women experience?
In Symptoms the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) explain:
“As women go through the menopause transition, they commonly experience signs and symptoms related to menopause. Hot flashes are often the most recognized and reported bothersome symptom. Other common symptoms and changes include vaginal dryness, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Most menopause symptoms will improve after menopause, even without treatment or intervention. Many factors affect how much distress these symptoms cause, and women must decide for themselves whether the symptoms are bothersome enough to seek treatment”.2
Postmenopause
Postmenopause, what changes may women experience?
In Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause – Postmenopause Health the (Scottish) NHS Inform note:
The change in your body’s hormones however is a sign to keep looking after your health and wellbeing, and be mindful to listen to your body.
There can be an increased risk of some health conditions postmenopause, such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, osteoporosis (weak bones) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). So it is important to have a healthy diet and lifestyle, and to go for your regular cancer screenings such as cervical (smear test) and breast”.3
Weight Gain
Is there an association between weight gain and menopause or aging?
In Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of A Healthy Weight At Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health elaborate on:
“Weight gain and increased abdominal (belly) fat is common among women at midlife. Many people think weight gain is part of menopause, but it’s more likely due to ageing and lifestyle changes.
Women tend to gain weight as they age, whether they are experiencing menopause or not. On average, women between the ages of 45 and 55 gain about half a kilogram per year”.4
Endometriosis
Is there an association between endometriosis and menopause?
In Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide the (United States) Society for Women’s Health Research note in Endometriosis and Menopause:
Fibroids
What are fibroids?
DotS the definition of fibroids may vary. In Uterine Fibroids the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:
“Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus (womb). Fibroids are almost always benign (not cancerous). Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. Women who do have symptoms often find fibroids hard to live with. Some have pain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Treatment for uterine fibroids depends on your symptoms”.6
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
What is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)?
In Symptoms: The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause the Menopause Society elaborate on:
“The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is defined as a collection of signs and symptoms associated with estrogen deficiency that can involve changes to the lips of the vagina (labia), vaginal opening and vagina, clitoris, bladder, and the short tube through which urine is eliminated from the body (urethra). The syndrome includes genital symptoms of dryness, irritation, and burning; sexual symptoms such as pain with vaginal penetration; and urinary symptoms. These symptoms can range from mildly annoying to debilitating”.7
Health Care Provider
What if I would like help with some body changes?
If you would like help with some body changes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Body Changes?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Menopause Body Changes?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding—When To See A Clinician [07 June 2025]
- The Menopause Society Show: Menopause and Weight Gain [18 November 2025]
- What Is Vaginismus and How To Manage It [10 December 2025]
- What Menopause Does To the Body. A Head-To-Toe Guide To the Many Unexpected Symptoms of the Midlife Transition [10 December 2025]
- What’s Happening To My Body? Navigating the Different Stages of Menopause [09 December 2025]
- Why Men Need To Understand The Menopause & Women’s Hormones | Dr Louise Newson [09 December 2025]
- 10 Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause

- Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
- BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
BMS TV: Menopause – Weight Gain, Nutrition and Lifestyle- Build Better Bones.org [International Osteoporosis Foundation]
- Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight Its Fire With Fire
- Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
- Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding—When To See A Clinician
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Nutrition At Menopause and Why It Is Important
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Three Symptoms Linked to Cognitive Complaints
- Could It Be Perimenopause? How Hormones Influence the Brain
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Do All Women Lose Hair With Menopause?
- Endometriosis
- Endometriosis and Menopausal Health: An EMAS Clinical Guide
- Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In New Video
- FDA Expert Panel on Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women [17 July 2025]
- Fibroids – Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Advocacy
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
- HRT Questions Answered
- Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
- Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
- How To Get A Quick Diagnosis for Endometriosis
- How To Manage Menopausal Insomnia
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leakage
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause

- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Midlife Brain Fog
- How To Talk To Your Doctor About Painful Sex
- How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
- Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause
- Mayo Clinic Q&A: Why You Should Know Your Heart Rate Numbers
- Menopausal Hair Loss
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause

- Menopause

- Menopause Increases Your Risk of STIs Due To How Aging Changes Your Body
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider

- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker

- Menopause and Insomnia
- Menopause and Mental Health
- Menopause and Sleep
- Menopause: Ensuring A Tranquil Transition
- Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline Published: 12 November 2015 Last Updated: 07 November 2024]

- Menopause: Identification and Management: NICE Guideline [NG23] [07 November 2024]
- Midlife Weight Gain

- Mood and the Menopause
- Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
- National Women’s Health Week (NWHW): From the FDA Office of Women’s Health: From the FDA Office of Women’s Health

- Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
- Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide

- Osteoporosis
- Pathtogoodbonehealth.org [Your Path To Good Bone Health, Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation, United States]

- Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause
- Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
- Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist

- Postmenopause
- Prioritizing Heart Health Through Self-Care: What Women Need To Know
- Professional Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Professional Videos and Podcasts – Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder HSDD—Open the Door To Discussion
- Promoting Good Mental Health Over the Menopause Transition
- Prosayla Supported By ISSWSH [International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health]
- Q&A: Health Changes During Menopause Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Risk
- Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]

- Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause
- Shedding Light on the Menopause Experience and Demystifying Treatment
- Skin, Hair and Nail Changes In Menopause: A Dermatologist’s Guide| The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
- Staying Healthy During and After Menopause

- Surprising Menopause Symptoms | Dr Louise Newson Live
- Symptoms
- The Menopause Can Increase Your Likelihood of Developing Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension — But Exercise Can Help Lower Risk
- The Menopause Society Show: Menopause and Weight Gain
- The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy

- Top Menopause Questions Answered: Hormones, Bones, Sex & Sleep
- Uterine Fibroids [+ Video]
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
- Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Preventing Bone Loss At Menopause
- Webinars: Lifestyle Medicine
- Webinars: Skin and Connective Tissue Ageing at the Time of the Menopause
- Webinars: Symposia – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
- Webinars: The Burn, the Itch, the Pain, the Urge: GSM In Women
- Weight Changes During the Perimenopause and Menopause | Dr Louise Newson [Video]
- What Happens To Fibroids During the Menopause? | The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
- What Is Vaginismus and How To Manage It [10 December 2025]
- What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
- What Is the Menopause?

- What Menopause Does To the Body. A Head-To-Toe Guide To the Many Unexpected Symptoms of the Midlife Transition
- What To Know About Menopause and Mental Health
- What’s Happening To My Body? Navigating the Different Stages of Menopause
- Why Men Need To Understand The Menopause & Women’s Hormones | Dr Louise Newson
- World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day 2025 [18 October]

- Wrinkles
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of A Healthy Weight At Menopause Last Updated: 30 September 2025 | Last Reviewed: 19 March 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#healthy-weight Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Symptoms. The Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/symptoms Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): After the Menopause – Postmenopause Health. Last Updated: 26 March 2025. NHS Inform https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health/later-years-around-50-years-and-over/menopause-and-post-menopause-health/after-the-menopause Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Looking After Yourself Around the Time of Menopause: Benefits of A Healthy Weight At Menopause Last Updated: 30 September 2025 | Last Reviewed: 19 March 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/looking-after-yourself#healthy-weight Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide – Endometriosis and Menopause. 19 March 2021. Society for Women’s Health Research. https://swhr.org/swhr_resource/endometriosis-toolkit-a-patient-empowerment-guide/ Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Uterine Fibroids. Page Last Updated: 28 February 2025. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids Accessed: 11 December 2025
- Symptoms: The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. The Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/symptoms Accessed: 11 December 2025

