MENOPAUSE: A GUIDE TO MANAGING SYMPTOMS
In this article we're raising awareness of Menopause to help support women through their menopause transition.
enabling them to achieve optimal health and well-being.
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Understanding menopause Menopause is not a singular event, but a transition characterized by three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause.
• Perimenopause, which typically begins in a woman's 40s, marks the gradual decline of reproductive hormones.
• Menopause, officially declared when a woman has gone without a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, occurs on average between 45 and 55 years of age in the UK.
• Postmenopause follows, lasting for the rest of a woman's life.
The role of hormones
Menopause marks the phase in a woman’s life when menstrual cycles permanently cease, indicating the conclusion of the reproductive period. This occurs when the ovaries no longer contain eggs. Since eggs prompt the body to generate oestrogen, the exhaustion of eggs leads to a decline in blood oestrogen levels, bringing about menopausal transformations within the body.
Common symptoms While menopause is a completely natural event, the reduction in oestrogen and other hormones can cause a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including: • Hot flushes • Night sweats, Insomnia and disrupted sleep • Racing heart / palpitations • Weight gain (especially around the waist and abdomen)
• Headaches • Changes to the skin, hair and nails • Aches and pains in joints and muscles • Lower sex drive • Vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse and increased risk of vaginal infections
• Inability to control urination and increased risk of urinary infections
• Difficulty concentrating and memory lapses – ‘Brain Fog’
• Fatigue / low energy levels • Mood swings, irritability and depression
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scottishpharmacist.com
e will explore the various aspects and symptoms of menopause, and strategies for supporting women
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