“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”.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
Different Differences
Can menopause mean different things to different people?
I think the term menopause can be like the terms anxiety, diet and love and mean different things, to different people, at different times, in different places.
When I use the term menopause what I mean may be different to what someone else means or what is meant in medicaltalk.
It can therefore be important when the term menopause is used to be clear about what is meant, so we may work out whether we are on the same page meaning the same thing or not. The International Menopause Society (IMS) acknowledge:
Meaning
What does the word “menopause” mean?
DotS the meaning of the word menopause may vary. The (German) Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care note:
The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) meaning is:
Definition
DotS the definition of menopause may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) and the IMS’s definition is:
The North American Menopause Society’s (NAMS) definition is:
The Australasian Menopause Society’s (AMS) definition is:
The JH’s definition is:
The (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:
Retrospective
Why is menopause sometimes called ‘retrospective’?
Menopause is sometimes called ‘retrospective’ because menopause is not ‘official’ until at least 12 consecutive months after a woman’s FMP.
Stop. Start…
What if periods stop for a few months then start again?
Each time periods stop for a few months then start again, we have to stop counting then start again, until we reach at least 12 consecutive months or 12 months of uninterrupted counting. The JH explain:
Change of Life
Why is the menopause sometimes called ‘the change of life’?
The AMS explain:
In Menopause FAQ: An Introduction To Menopause – Q. What is menopause? the NAMS note:
Normal or Not
Is menopause normal?
Yes. Menopause is normal. The IMS explain:
Age
What is the average age of menopause?
According to the IMS:
Same 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:
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”.15
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
What is one of the points of consensus about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT)?
One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:
- “Consideration of MHT for symptom relief or osteoporosis prevention should be a part of an overall strategy including lifestyle recommendations regarding diet, exercise, smoking cessation and safe levels of alcohol consumption for maintaining the health and quality of life of peri- and postmenopausal women”.16
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 About Menopause: When To See Your Doctor the JH explain:
- “If you are troubled by irregular cycles
- If you are worried about heavy bleeding/bleeding abnormal to you/bleeding between periods and/or after sex
- If you have increased PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms and/or pain
- If you have some of the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes, that interfere with your daily life”.17
The Mayo Clinic encourage us to seek help:
In Menopause: When To See Your GP the (United Kingdom) NHS (National Health Service) elaborate on:
Who is a GP?
DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
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.- 5 of the Most Common Questions About Menopause
- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Can Menopause Cause Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?
- Causes of Menopause
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy [Video]
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Overview
- Early Menopause: Women’s Experiences – Women’s Profiles
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Doctor [Australasian Menopause Society]
- Glossary of Terms
- HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Hot Flashes: What Can I Do?
- How Long Does Menopause Last? – Ask Dr Jean
- ‘I Wouldn’t Have Known That My Mum Had Gone Through Menopause’. Why Are We So Unprepared for One of Life’s Inevitable Transitions? [+ Video: Menopause Stories]
- Information About Menopause [Multiply Languages] [Videos]
- Is It Menopause or A Thyroid Problem?
- Lifestyle and Behaviour Changes for Menopausal Symptoms
- Lifestyle and Behavioural Modifications for Menopausal Symptoms
- Maintaining Your Weight and Health During and After Menopause
- Making Choices At Menopause
- Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
- Managing Menopausal Symptoms After Breast Cancer – A Guide for Women [Booklet]
- Managing Menopause: Don’t Let Symptoms of Menopause Reduce Your Quality of Life
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Herbs
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: An Introduction To Menopause
- Menopause FAQs: Expert Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause
- Menopause FAQs: Premature, Early, and Induced Menopause
Menopause Glossary
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
- Menopause Matters
- Menopause Symptoms and Relief
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause and Your Health
- Menopause – How Will It Affect My Health? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Fact Sheet (Plain English)
- Menopause – Multiply Languages
- Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (HRT)? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause
- Menopause: Advice To Other Women About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Advice To Partners About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Consulting the Doctor About the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Medicines To Help You
- Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
- Menopause: Overview [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Profiles – Perimenopausal [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
- Menopause: What Is the Menopause? [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopausia
- Menstrual Calendar
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms: In Depth
- Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Primary Care Women’s Health Forum’s Rock My Menopause
- Risks and Benefits of MHT/HRT
- Self-Care and Kindness: Finding A Solution To the Trigger of Our Anxiety
- Staying Healthy At Menopause and Beyond
- Supporting Women Through Menopause
- Symptoms of Menopause
- The Menopause Years: FAQs
- Understanding Menopause – Booklet
- Understanding Premature & Early Menopause – Booklet
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
- Video Series-2020 – TSECs—A New Treatment Option for Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
- Video Series-2020 – What You Need To Know About Cognition and Mood Changes
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?
- What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
- What Is Menopause?
- What Is Menopause?
- Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
Women’s Wellness: Menopause Misconceptions [+ Video]
- Women’s Wellness: Mindfulness May Ease Menopausal Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Treating Hot Flashes Without Hormones
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2019 – Patient Information Leaflet: Testosterone for Women At Midlife [Multiply Languages]
- World Menopause Day: World Menopause Day 2020 – Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) [Multiply Languages]
- Yarning About Menopause
- You Think It’s Menopause, But Could It Be Your Thyroid?
- ¿Cuáles Son Las Señales y Síntomas De La Menopausia?
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause Terminology. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/menopause_terminology.php Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause: Overview – Introduction. Last Update: 02 July 2020. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279311/ Accessed: 01 January 2021
- About Menopause: What Is Menopause? Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause Terminology: Definitions – Menopause. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/menopause_terminology.php Accessed: 01 January 2021
- 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 January 2021
- What Is Menopause? Key Points. Content Updated February 2016. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 01 January 2021
- About Menopause: What Is Menopause? Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397 Accessed: 01 January 2021
- About Menopause: Diagnosis of Menopause. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause/ Accessed: 01 January 2021
- What Is Menopause? Content Updated February 2016. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/185-what-is-menopause Accessed: 01 January 2021
- 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 January 2021
- Women and Menopause: General Information. 2012:1. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2012/wmd_general_menopause_backgrounder.pdf Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Maintaining Health and Preventing Disease After the Menopause. 2014:2. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/downloads/world_menopause_day_2014/booklets/ims_wmd_booklet_2014_english.pdf Accessed: 01 January 2021
- 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 January 2021
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section B: General Principles Governing the Use of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:314 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 01 January 2021
- About Menopause: When To Visit Your Doctor. Last Updated: 07 December 2020 | Last Reviewed: 17 December 2017. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/about-menopause Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 14 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401 Accessed: 01 January 2021
- Menopause: Overview – When To See Your GP. Page Last Reviewed: 29 August 2018. NHS (National Health Service) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/#when-to-see-your-gp Accessed: 01 January 2021