Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s life and does not always need to be treated. But if you have wondered how to get help with menopause, this guide will provide you with some information.
What is Menopause?
Menopause is when the ovaries stop producing eggs (ovulating) and menstrual periods end. This usually happens between age 45 and 55 years. After menopause, a woman can no longer get pregnant.
Menopause does not happen suddenly; most women experience several years of changes in their menstrual periods before they stop completely. During this time, many women also start to have menopausal symptoms.
These result from declining levels of oestrogen in the body and can include hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes, sleep problems and vaginal dryness. A woman is said to have completed menopause once she has gone a full year without having a period. The average age for a woman to stop having periods is 51 years.
How to get help with menopause symptoms
Common symptoms of menopause include:
Hot flushes are the most common symptom of menopause, affecting up to 60-80% of women. Hot flushes usually begin well before your last menstrual period. It is not clear what causes hot flushes. Most women who have hot flushes will continue to have them for about four years.
Night sweats are more common at night than during the day. When they occur during sleep, they are called “night sweats.” As a result of interrupted sleep, many women develop other problems, such as fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating, and mood swings.
Sleep problems happen during the transition to menopause. Some women begin to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, even if they don’t have night sweats.
Vaginal dryness can cause vaginal discomfort, itching, pain during sex, discomfort during urination or recurrent urinary tract infections.
Depression and mood changes can happen during the transition. These may include sadness, difficulty concentrating, feeling uninterested in normal activities, and sleeping too much or having trouble staying asleep.
Not all women will wonder if how to get help with menopause. If your symptoms are mild, there are things you can try on your own that might help.
For more severe or bothersome symptoms, there are effective treatment options available.
Contact Mr de Rosnay
If you would like to contact Mr Philippe de Rosnay to discuss how to get help with menopause, please contact us.