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 17 October 2022, 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 Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms may include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot Flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Sleep problems
  • Sore breasts
  • Itchy, crawly or dry skin Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  • Exhaustion and fatigue
  • Dry vagina
  • Loss of sex drive (libido)
  • Headaches or migraines
  • More pronounced premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Aches and pains
  • Bloating
  • Urinary problems
  • Weight gain due to a slower metabolism

Emotional Symptoms
Emotional symptoms may include:

  • Feeling irritable or frustrated
  • Feeling anxious
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • 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 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 doctor about your options and the risks and benefits involved with each. Review your options yearly, as your needs and treatment options 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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  6. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?]
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Hot Flushes
  1. 8 Myths and Truths About Menopausal Hot Flashes
  2. Hot Flashes
  3. Hot Flashes
  4. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  5. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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Menopause
  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  3. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Early and Premature Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Only Happens In Your 50s]
  4. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
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  9. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause and the Workplace
  10. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
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  12. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  13. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  14. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  15. Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
  16. Mymenoplan.org [My Menoplan, United States]
  17. Navigating Menopause: Expert Insights and Solutions | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 245
  18. Premature and Early Menopause
  19. Video Series-2023: Premature and Early Menopause
  20. What Is Menopause? [+ Video
Menopause Diagnosis
  1. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: A Simple Approach To Menopause: The Menopause Quick Six (www.MQ6.ca)
Menopause Glossary

Menopause Health Care Providers

Menopause In Multiply Languages

Menopause Memory
  1. ‘Brain Fog’ During Menopause Is Real – It Can Disrupt Women’s Work and Spark Dementia Fears
  2. The Fog of Menopause
  3. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
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Menopause Mood Changes
  1. 5 Ways To Cope With Menopausal Mood Swings
  2. Anxiety
  3. Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
  4. Emotional Wellness In Menopause
  5. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
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Menopause Relationships
  1. Information for Partners
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  1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal 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]
  3. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  4. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
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Menopause Videos
  1. BMS TV
  2. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and the Workplace
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Perimenopause
  1. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  2. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  3. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  4. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
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  10. Stages of Menopause: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Perimenopause
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Postmenopause
  1. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
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  4. Menopause Evidence-Based InformationStages of Menopause: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Postmenopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Definition of Menopause. Content Created  May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 04 March 2024
  2. Menopause: How Menopause Occurs. 17 October 2022. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 04 March 2024
  3. What Is Menopause? Definition of Menopause. Content Created  May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 04 March 2024
  4. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms. Last Updated: 19 January 2024. Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#physical-and-emotional-symptoms Accessed: 04 March 2024
  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: 04 March 2024
  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: 04 March 2024
  7. Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? Published Dated: June 2023:1. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/ Accessed: 04 March 2024
  8. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 18 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 04 March 2024
  9. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 04 March 2024
Topic Last Updated: 08 April 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 March 2024

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