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 InformationExhaustion 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


Psychological and Emotional Symptoms

Psychological and emotional symptoms 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 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?

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

Bioidentical Hormones

Complementary and Integrative Health and Menopause
  1. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – NAMS 2023 Nonhormone Therapies Position Statement for Bothersome Menopause Symptoms
  2. Menopause and Natural Therapies
  3. Non-Estrogen Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
  4. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
  5. The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
  6. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
Hormone Therapy
  1. BMS TV: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  2. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  3. Dr Louise Newson: The Truth About the Menopause & HRT
  4. Hormone Therapy: Four Things A Mayo Clinic Women’s Health Specialist Wants You To Know [02 May 2024] [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/CG: Taryn Smith, M.D./Internal Medicine/Mayo Clinic]
  5. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  6. I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E9: The Menopause. Can Every Woman That Wants It Have HRT?
  7. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?] [Other Languages and Formats]
  8. Menopause and HRT
  9. Menopause and HRT: Fact and Fiction [31 May 2024]
  10. World Menopause Day [18 October 2024]
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
Hot Flushes
  1. 8 Myths and Truths About Menopausal Hot Flashes
  2. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – New FDA-Approved Nonhormone Option for the Treatment of Hot Flashes
  3. Hot Flashes
  4. Hot Flashes
  5. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  6. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  7. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  8. Nonhormone Treatments for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Menopause
  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. BMS TV: Menopause Explained
  3. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Premature and Early Menopause
  4. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Myths] [Other Languages and Formats]
  5. Menopause
  6. Menopause
  7. Menopause
  8. Menopause
  9. Menopause
  10. Menopause Education for Patients
  11. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause Evidence-Based Information
  12. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 1. What Is Menopause?
  13. Menopause Patient Information [Videos] 2. Talking To Your GP About Menopause
  14. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  15. Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
  16. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  17. Menopause Treatments: What Works, What Doesn’t
  18. Navigating Menopause: Honest Answers To All Your Questions [+ Video: What To Expect in Menopause]
  19. Premature and Early Menopause
  20. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
Menopause Diagnosis

Menopause Glossary

Menopause Health Care Providers

Menopause In Multiply Languages

Menopause Memory

Menopause Mood Changes
  1. 5 Ways To Cope With Menopausal Mood Swings
  2. Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
  3. Emotional Wellness In Menopause
  4. Mastering Midlife Mood Changes With Marlene Freeman, MD
  5. Menopause Mindfulness: A Personal Toolkit for Menopause Preparedness
  6. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Mindfulness & Wellbeing During the Menopause Transition
  7. Menopause and Depression: Is There A Link?
  8. Menopause and Mental Health
  9. Menopause and Mental Health
  10. Mood and the Menopause
  11. Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
  12. What’s the Link Between the Menopause and Anxiety?
Menopause Symptoms
  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] [Other Languages and Formats]
  3. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
  4. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Treating Vasomotor Symptoms of Menopause
  5. Menopause Symptoms: Mayo Clinic Expert Outlines Hormone and Nonhormonal Therapies
  6. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
  7. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  8. Symptoms of Menopause
  9. Tips To Help Manage Menopause Symptoms
  10. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
Menopause Videos
  1. BMS TV
  2. Consumer Video and Podcast Series
  3. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and the Workplace
  4. Menopause Mindfulness: Living Your Best Work-Life Through the Menopause Transition
  5. Menopause Patient Information [Videos]
  6. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series
  7. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Tips for Menopause In the Workplace
  8. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: Vulvar Diseases, Overview for Aging Women
  9. Webinars: Previous – Perimenopausal Contraception
  10. Why Is FSH Not Needed for Diagnosis of Menopause
Perimenopause
  1. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2022 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  2. Let’s Talk About Perimenopause
  3. Mayo Clinic Minute: Perimenopause and Menopause [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  4. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Perimenopause Transitions and Concerns
  5. Menopause Evidence-Based InformationMy Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  6. Natural Remedies To Help Manage Perimenopause Symptoms
  7. Perimenopause
  8. Perimenopause
  9. Perimenopause and Menopause Checklist: Translated Checklists
  10. Perimenopause and Menopause Symptom Checklist
  11. Perimenopause: Rocky Road To Menopause
  12. Stages of Menopause: Downloadable Resources – Stages of Menopause: Perimenopause
Postmenopause
  1. BMS TV: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
  2. BMS TV: Osteoporosis
  3. Postmenopause
  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: 16 September 2024
  2. Menopause: How Menopause Occurs. 17 October 2022. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 16 September 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: 16 September 2024
  4. Symptoms of Menopause: Physical and Emotional Symptoms. Last Updated: 21 April 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: 16 September 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: 16 September 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: 16 September 2024
  7. Emotional Wellness In Menopause: What Treatments Are Available? Published Date: June 2023:1. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/menopause-wellness-hub/ Accessed: 16 September 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: 16 September 2024
  9. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 25 May 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 16 September 2024
Topic Last Updated: 16 September 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 16 September 2024

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by