Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is your final period. You know you have reached menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months in a row, with no other medical reason for it. Your periods stop because your ovaries stop releasing eggs and producing the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. 

In Australia, menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and the average age of menopause is 51. Some might go through the menopause transition earlier or later. 

For most women, the menopause transition happens naturally. Some will enter menopause early due to medical reasons.

Find out more about perimenopause and postmenopause.

Common menopause-related symptoms

You may experience a range of symptoms related to hormone changes throughout the menopause transition. You might experience a combination of physical, emotional or mental health symptoms, or no symptoms at all.

About 1 in 2 women report mild to moderate symptoms. Around 1 in 4 women have symptoms severe enough to affect daily activities. And around 1 in 4 women have no symptoms.

You don’t have to push through symptoms or manage alone. Information, support and treatment options are available if you need them. 

A few of the commonly reported symptoms include:

• hot flushes and night sweats
• brain fog
• trouble sleeping
• joint and muscle pain
• low mood and mood changes
• anxiety 
• dry or itchy skin
• vaginal dryness and irritation
• urinary (wee/bladder) problems
• loss of interest in sex
• increased belly fat. 

Not all health issues and symptoms experienced at this time of life are due directly to the menopause transition. 

It is important that you seek advice from a doctor to rule out other causes for your symptoms, get an accurate diagnosis and receive appropriate care.

Find out more about symptoms and managing your symptoms.

Premature ovarian insufficiency and early menopause

About 1 in 15 women in Australia experience premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or early menopause. 

Early menopause is when menopause occurs before age 45. POI is when menopause occurs before age 40.

The symptoms of POI and early menopause are similar to those experienced at the usual age of menopause. However, there can be greater sense of loss, sadness and grief about the loss of fertility and body image.

If you think you might be experiencing POI or early menopause, it is important to see your doctor. 

More information about POI and early menopause is available on the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website.

Medically induced menopause

Medically induced menopause can happen if you have some cancer treatments, or surgery that removes both ovaries, before natural menopause. 

Having a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) before your ovaries have stopped working does not lead to menopause, unless your ovaries are also removed during surgery. If you still have your ovaries, hormone production continues until menopause occurs naturally.

Having a single side oophorectomy (one ovary removed) does not lead to menopause. If one or both of your ovaries remain, your ovaries will continue to produce hormones even though your periods will stop. If you have a bilateral oophorectomy (both ovaries removed), you will reach menopause right away.

You will not experience a ‘typical’ menopause transition that happens when menopause comes about naturally. Symptoms can be more severe when menopause occurs suddenly, due to the rapid drop in hormone levels.

If you need medical treatment that might trigger menopause, talk with your doctor about what to expect and what support or treatment options are available.

More information on medically induced menopause is available on the Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website.

Management and treatment options

If you are experiencing menopause-related symptoms that are affecting your quality of life, there are many treatment and management options you can consider. Talk to a doctor about options that are suitable for you.

Your doctor might discuss:

• lifestyle and behavioural strategies you can do yourself
• physical therapy and interventions for some bladder problems
• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) (sometimes called Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT)
• hormonal contraceptives
• non‑hormonal prescription medicines
• non-prescription medicines for treatment or management of symptoms.

Find out more about how to manage your symptoms at home and treatment options.

Fertility and contraception

If you don’t want to become pregnant, it is important to consider contraception at least until the end of perimenopause (12 months after your final period).

The Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website has information for women at all stages of life, including information on contraception.

Keeping healthy and ageing well

Looking after your health is important leading up to and during the menopause transition.

The reduction in hormones at menopause, and changes in your body as you age, can have significant health impacts. This can increase your risk of:

• bone loss, which increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• vaginal dryness, irritation and painful sex
• bladder irritability and urinary tract infections
• muscle loss, which makes it harder to do everyday activities
• heart disease
• insulin resistance (increased risk of diabetes).

There are lots of things you can do now that will help you feel healthier and stronger later in life and reduce your risk of developing disease. Some of these things can also help manage menopause-related symptoms. They include:

• eating a healthy diet with lots of fruit, vegetables, lean protein, dairy or alternatives, and whole grains
• limiting alcohol and caffeine intake
• stopping and avoiding smoking and vaping
• being active, including weight bearing, resistance and aerobic exercise
• looking after your bone health
• maintaining a healthy body weight
• having a good sleep routine
• looking after your mental health and emotional wellbeing, including staying socially connected and mentally engaged 

Don’t forget to also keep up to date with recommended health checks, including:

• breast screening
• cervical screening
• bowel cancer screening
• lung cancer screening for eligible people
• blood pressure and cholesterol checks
• bone density assessments for people at risk of bone loss or osteoporosis.

The Jean Hailes for Women’s Health website has lots of tips and information to help keep you healthy, including:

• Staying healthy 
• Health checks for your age
• Looking after yourself around the time of menopause
• Health after menopause.

Healthy Bones Australia also has information on exercise and maintaining bone health.

When to see a doctor

If you have menopause-related symptoms that are impacting your life or worrying you, it is important to talk to a doctor. There are treatment and support options that can help. 

Not all health issues and concerns experienced in your midlife are due directly to the menopause transition. Some symptoms can also be due to other health conditions or issues. For example, low iron (caused by heavy periods) is a common cause of fatigue. 

It is important that you talk to a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.