Menopause Evidence-Based Information

“Most women become menopausal naturally
between the ages of 45 and 55 years,
with the average age of onset at around 51 years”.1

Umbrella

What may the Menopause Evidence-Based Information Umbrella include?

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

  • Early Menopause
  • Induced Menopause
  • Menopause
  • Perimenopause
  • Premature Menopause
  • Surgical Menopause

Menopause

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. In Menopause: How Menopause Occurs, dated 16 October 2024, 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

Menopause Age

What is the average age of menopause?

In What Is Menopause? Definition of Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society explain:

“Most women become menopausal naturally between the ages of 45 and 55 years, with the average age of onset at around 51 years. Surgical menopause refers to menopause as a result of bilateral oophorectomy. Premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency may occur before the age of 40 due to natural ovarian function ceasing, following surgery to remove the ovaries, or as a result of chemo/ radiotherapy. Menopause is considered “early” when it occurs between 40 and 45 years”.3

Menopause Symptoms

What are some menopause symptoms?

In Menopause Evidence-Based Information Symptoms of Menopause: Physical Symptoms of Menopause the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Physical symptoms of menopause may include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot Flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Joint aches and pains
  • Sore breasts
  • Itchy, crawly or dry skin
  • Exhaustion and fatigue
  • Dry vagina

They may also include:

  • Loss of sex drive (libido)
  • Headache or migraine
  • More intenese premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Sleep problems
  • Bloating
  • Urinary problems
  • Weight gain.


Mental and Emotional Symptoms of Menopause
Mental and emotional symptoms of menopause may include:

  • Feeling irritable or frustrated
  • Feeling anxious
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Brain fog
  • Forgetfulness
  • Lowered mood
  • Mood swings
  • Feeling you can’t cope as well as you used to”.4

Menopause Symptoms Duration

What is the average duration of menopause symptoms?

On page one and two in Optimising the Menopause Transition: 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, the authors note:

“It is estimated that menopausal symptoms affect more than 75% of women, with over 25% of women describing severe symptoms. Furthermore, menopausal symptoms may last for a long time with an average duration of 7 years, with a third of women experiencing symptoms beyond 7 years”.5

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”.6

Treatments

What treatments are available?

On page one in Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? the (British) Women’s Health Concern elaborate on:

“There is no one size fits all for women when it comes to managing physical or psychological symptoms of menopause, but a variety of treatments are available.

  • Anti-depressants can help with emotional and cognitive symptoms of the menopause. However, unless you have been diagnosed with depression, there are other treatments which may be more helpful and appropriate
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help with many cognitive and emotional symptoms of menopause. HRT can also help improve quality of sleep. It’s useful to keep a record of symptoms to discuss with your HRT prescriber as this will help identify the best HRT regime for you
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other talking therapies can be hugely beneficial in dealing with some of the emotional symptoms of menopause. Even women who have never used therapies before and them helpful to navigate their menopause journey
  • Mindfulness and meditation are popular techniques to help relax and clear the mind – a very useful addition to managing some of the emotional and cognitive symptoms of menopause. Alongside restorative exercise such as yoga and Pilates, both body and mind can recover and heal”.7

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 What Is Perimenopause and Menopause? When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:

“Talk to your doctor if you are worried about:

  • Irregular periods
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Bleeding after menopause
  • Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
  • Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.8

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”.9

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Evidence-Based Information?

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Links

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New or Updated

Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause
  1. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  2. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  3. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
Hormone Therapy
  1. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: FDA Decision on MHT Warnings – A Live EMAS Roundtable [20 November 2025]
  2. FDA Direct: Removing Black Box Warnings for HRT (Part 1/2)
  3. HRT Questions Answered
  4. HRT: How To Find the Right Dose & Type | Dr Louise Newson
  5. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  6. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  7. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
Hot Flushes
  1. Handling Hot Flushes and Night Sweats| Dr Louise Newson
  2. Hot Flashes
  3. Hot Flashes
  4. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – What’s Hot? Options for Treatment of Hot Flushes 2025
Menopause
  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. Experts Answer Your Menopause Questions In Video
  3. First Symptoms of Menopause
  4. Here’s What You Need To Know About Menopause [Video]
  5. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Menopause
  6. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  7. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  8. Menopause
  9. Menopause
  10. Menopause
  11. Menopause
  12. Menopause
    Menopause
  13. Menopause
    Menopause
  14. Menopause Checklist Podcast
  15. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  16. Menopause [Multiply Languages]
  17. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  18. Premature and Early Menopause
Menopause Diagnosis

Menopause Glossary

Menopause Health Care Providers

Menopause In Multiply Languages

Menopause Memory

Menopause Mood Changes

Menopause Symptoms
  1. Addressing Menopause Symptoms
  2. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms of Menopause [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP] [Other Languages and Formats]
  3. Managing Menopause Symptoms [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  4. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  5. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  7. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: IMS Partnership Symposia Series – Weight, Wellness, and Women At Midlife: Rethinking Obesity In the Menopause Transition
  8. Surprising Menopause Symptoms | Dr Louise Newson Live
Menopause Treatment
  1. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  2. How Vaginal Hormones Can Transform the Health of Women
  3. International Menopause Society (IMS) Recommendations and Key Messages on Women’s Midlife Health and Menopause
  4. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  5. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  6. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  7. Prioritizing Care During Midlife: Personal, Professional, and Health Care Strategies for Women
  8. Resources: Fact Sheets [Multiply Languages]
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  9. World Menopause Day [18 October 2025]
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
Menopause Videos
  1. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  2. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Unmet Needs, Treatment Gaps, and Opportunities for Better Care
  3. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2025 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding—When To See A Clinician
  4. Menopause: Your Choice of Language
  5. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  6. Prioritizing Care During Midlife: Personal, Professional, and Health Care Strategies for Women
  7. What Is the Difference Between Perimenopause, Menopause and Postmenopause?
Perimenopause
  1. EMAS On-Demand Webinars [European Menopause and Andropause Society] [Multiply Languages]: Menopause and Mental Health: Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Changes
  2. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video]
  3. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  4. Perimenopause
  5. Perimenopause
  6. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  7. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  8. When Does Perimenopause Start and How Do You Define the Beginning
Postmenopause
  1. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  2. BMS TV: Osteoporosis
  3. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – After the Menopause [Other Languages and Formats]
  4. Postmenopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Definition of Menopause. 03 May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=1c445551-8053-4afd-b2a4-d40942c0d479 Accessed: 29 March 2026
  2. Menopause: How Menopause Occurs. 16 October 2024. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 29 March 2026
  3. What Is Menopause? Definition of Menopause. 03 May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://hub.menopause.org.au/Play?pId=1c445551-8053-4afd-b2a4-d40942c0d479 Accessed: 29 March 2026
  4. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms. Last Updated: 15 October 2025. Last Reviewed: 23 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#physical-and-emotional-symptoms Accessed: 02 February 2026
  5. Hamoda, H, Mukherjee, A, Morris, E, Baldeweg, S. E., Jayasena, C. N., Briggs, P, Moger, S. Optimising the Menopause Transition: 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 2022:1-2 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691221104882 Accessed: 29 March 2026
  6. 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: 29 March 2026
  7. Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? Published Date: June 2023:1. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/30-WHC-FACTSHEET-Emotional-wellness-in-menopause-JUNE2023-A.pdf Accessed: 29 March 2026
  8. What Is Perimenopause and Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 28 August 2025 | Last Reviewed: 22 April 2025. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 02 February 2026
  9. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 07 August 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 29 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 29 March 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 02 February 2026

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