What is the menopause?
The menopause occurs when your ovaries are no longer producing eggs and the estrogen and progesterone levels drop, leading to your periods stopping. It is a retrospective diagnosis when you have not had a natural period for one year. Many women are on medication that could affect periods e.g. the contraceptive pill, HRT or the Mirena coil or have had a hysterectomy so won’t know when their actual menopause was or will be. The average age for the last period for Caucasian women in the UK is 51 (younger in some ethnic groups) but any time from 45 to 55 is considered normal. You are then postmenopausal for the rest of your life.
Perimenopause
This is the period of time when you develop perimenopausal symptoms but are still having periods although they may be more frequent, irregular, lighter, or heavier.
Postmenopausal bleeding
A vaginal bleed when your last proper period was at least one year ago and you have not started HRT. THIS NEEDS URGENT ASSESSMENT BY YOUR GP.
Surgical menopause
Your ovaries are removed during a surgical operation (bilateral oophorectomy).
Medical menopause
Can be caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and some other drugs.
Early menopause
The menopause occurs between the ages of 40 and 45.
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI)
The menopause occurs before the age of 40 (at least 1 in 100 women, possibly more).
If you have been diagnosed with an early or premature menopause it is very important that you take HRT until at least your early 50s, unless there is a specific contraindication. Many women in this age group have been put off HRT by media scares, but they do need to replace the natural hormones they have lost to protect their heart, brains and bones for the future.