Menopause

“Menopause is your final menstrual period.
If you haven’t had a period for 12 months,
you’ve reached menopause”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Umbrella include?

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

  • Change of Life
  • 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 Menopause Years
  • The Menopause-Related Years
  • The Three Stages of Menopause
  • Turning St Catherine’s Corner

Definition

What is menopause?

DotS the definition of menopause may vary. 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

The International Menopause Society’s definition is:

“Menopause – the last day of a woman’s last period ever”.3

The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:

“Menopause is a normal, natural event—defined as the final menstrual period and usually confirmed when a woman has missed her periods for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes)”.4

The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:

“The term “menopause” refers to the final menstrual period”.5

The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Menopause is your final menstrual period. If you haven’t had a period for 12 months, you’ve reached menopause”.6

The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period”.7

Menopause Age

What is the average age of menopause?

On page three in Menopause, Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society: 2. Diagnosing Reproductive Status, published 12 May 2022, Rees et al. note:

  • “Spontaneous menopause is usually defined retrospectively, after 12 months of amenorrhoea, typically at 50–51 years. The age of spontaneous menopause varies between ethnic groups. According to data retrieved from 21 studies and 10 countries, the youngest age at menopause has been described as 48 years for women living in South Asia, the oldest as 52 years in Japanese women, and an intermediate age of 50 years for Caucasian women”.8

Same Menopause or Not

Do all women experience the same menopause?

No. Menopause is not one-size-fits-all. Although all women have a FMP, different women experience different symptoms, at different times, in different ways, for different lengths of time, before and after their FMP.

In Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms the (British) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guideline, the NICE elaborate on:


Menopause
“Menopause affects every woman differently. You may have no symptoms at all, or they might be brief and short lived. For some women they are severe and distressing.

You can still get menopause symptoms if you have had a hysterectomy (an operation to remove your womb).

Other natural changes as you age can be intensified by menopause. For example, you may lose some muscle strength and have a higher risk of conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease”.9

Healthy Lifestyle

What is one of the recommendations about health lifestyle 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?

One of the recommendations about healthy lifestyle 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 10 June 2022, 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”.10

Hormone Therapy

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

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits, published July 2022, the NAMS explain:

“Hormone therapy is one of the most effective treatments available for bothersome hot flashes and night sweats. If hot flashes and night sweats are disrupting your daily activities and sleep, HT may improve sleep and fatigue, mood, ability to concentrate, and overall quality of life. Treatment of bothersome hot flashes and night sweats is the principal reason women use HT. Hormone therapy also treats vaginal dryness and painful sex associated with menopause. Hormone therapy keeps your bones strong by preserving bone density and decreasing your risk of osteoporosis and fractures. If preserving bone density is your only concern, and you do not have bothersome hot flashes, other treatments may be recommended instead of HT”.11

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
  • Increased premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms
  • Menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.12

The 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”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics 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

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.

  1. 5 of the Most Common Questions About Menopause
  2. A Time of Change: A History of Our Understanding of the Menopause
  3. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  4. Autism and Menopause: Q&A With Rachel Moseley and Julie Turner-Cobb
  5. Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  6. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  7. Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?
  8. Causes of Menopause
  9. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  10. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  11. Diagnostic Tests for Menopause
  12. Does Having Hot Flashes Mean I’ve Started Menopause?
  13. Dr. Louise Newson Breaks Down The Menopause & Lisa Snowdon Shares Her Experience | This Morning
  14. EMAS Menopause Essentials
  15. EMAS Replay [Webinars]
  16. Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
  17. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  18. Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society]
  19. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  20. Glossary of Terms
  21. How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
  22. How To Know If You Are In Menopause
  23. 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
  24. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause [+ Video: Menopause]
  25. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Signs and Symptoms [+ Video: Talking Menopause With Your GP]
  26. Leaflets: Menopause FAQ
  27. Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
  28. Living Well With MS and Menopause
  29. Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
  30. Managing Menopausal Symptoms—Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Not the Only Option!
  31. Mayo Clinic Minute: Help With Hot Flashes Due To Menopause [+ Video]
  32. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Lifestyle Changes May Help Manage Menopause Symptoms [+ Video]
  33. Menopause
  34. Menopause
  35. Menopause
  36. Menopause
  37. Menopause
  38. Menopause
  39. Menopause
  40. Menopause
  41. Menopause
  42. Menopause
  43. Menopause Awareness and Education Should Start Earlier In-Life [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  44. Menopause Explained
  45. Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  46. Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
  47. Menopause Glossary
  48. Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
  49. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Menopause
  50. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Symptom Tracker
    Menopause
  51. Menopause Mindfulness: Embracing the Change of My Midlife
  52. Menopause Patient Information [Videos: 5]
  53. Menopause Patient Information [Videos: 5]: 1. What Is Menopause?
  54. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series
  55. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: What Is Menopause?
  56. Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
  57. Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
  58. Menopause and MS [Multiply Sclerosis]
  59. Menopause – Fact Sheet
  60. Menopause – Information for Partners – Fact Sheet
  61. Menopause – Multilingual Fact Sheets
  62. Menopause – Multiply Languages
  63. Menopause, Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society
  64. Menopause: Continuing the Conversation
  65. Menopause: Definitions and Terms
  66. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause [NICE Guideline]
  67. Menopause: How Your Body Changes and What You Can Do [+ Video]
  68. Menopause: Is It Starting?
  69. Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
  70. ‘Menopause: The Change Is Here’ World Menopause Day 2021 [+ Video]
  71. Menstrual Calendar
  72. My Periods Have Changed. Is Menopause Around the Corner?
  73. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
  74. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
  75. Normalising Menopause
  76. 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
  77. Supporting Women Through Menopause – Fact Sheet
  78. Symptoms of Menopause
  79. The Menopause Years
  80. Understanding Menopause – Booklet
  81. Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
  82. Using Natural Therapies In the Menopause Transition – Webinar
  83. Video Series-2022: Discussing Sexual Health Concerns With Your Health Care Professional
  84. Video Series-2022: Hormone Therapy: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
  85. Video Series-2022: Irregular Menstrual Cycles What’s Normal and What’s Abnormal?
  86. Video Series-2022: Perimenopause: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
  87. Videos and Podcasts Archive: Interviews and Podcasts – Interviews: New Hormonal Tests To Diagnose or Even Predict the Menopause?
  88. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews – How To Protect Your Brain Health At Menopause and Beyond
  89. Videos and Podcasts: Interviews – What Women Should Know About Menopause and Brain Fog
  90. Webinars: Previous – Abnormal Uterine Bleeding In Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
  91. Webinars: Previous – Dealing With A Big Issue: Weight Gain At Midlife
  92. What Are the 34 Symptoms of Menopause?
  93. What Causes Menopause?
  94. What Everyone Should Know About Menopause Symptoms
  95. What Is Menopause?
  96. What Is Menopause?
  97. What Is Menopause? [+ Video]
  98. World Menopause Day
  99. World Menopause Day: Patient Information Leaflet – Brain Fog and Memory Difficulties In Menopause
  100. Yarning About Menopause Menopause

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What Is Menopause? Menopause. Last Updated: 29 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  2. Menopause: How Menopause Occurs. 17 October 2022. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  3. Menopause Terminology: Glossary of Definitions – Menopause. 2022:4. International Menopause Society Accessed: 01 November 2022
  4. Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What Is Menopause? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-an-introduction-to-menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  5. What Is Menopause? Key Points. Content Created May 2022. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  6. What Is Menopause? Menopause. Last Updated: 29 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 29 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  7. Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 01 November 2022
  8. Lambrinoudaki I., Armeni E., Goulis D., Bretz S, Ceausu I, Durmusoglu F, Erkkola R. Fistonic I, Gambacciani M., Geukes M., Hamoda H., Hartley C., Lindén Hirschberg A., Meczekalski B., Mendoza N., Mueck A., Smetnik A., Stute P., van Trotsenburg M., Rees M. Menopause, Wellbeing and Health: A Care Pathway From the European Menopause and Andropause Society: 2. Diagnosing Reproductive Status. 12 May 2022:3 https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(22)00090-1/fulltext Accessed: 01 November 2022
  9. Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause – Symptoms. Published Date: 12 November 2015. Last Updated: 05 December 2019. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/ifp/chapter/Menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  10. 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 10 June 2022:3-4. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20533691221104879 Accessed: 01 November 2022
  11. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Benefits. 2022:1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/menonote-deciding-about-ht-2022.pdf Accessed: 01 November 2022
  12. What Is Menopause? When To See Your Doctor. Last Updated: 29 September 2022 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 November 2022
  13. Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 01 November 2022
Topic Last Updated: 01 November 2022 – Topic Last Reviewed: 01 November 2022

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