What is menopause?

Menopause is the time in life when you stop having monthly periods. This is the natural end of the reproductive stage of your life.

You have reached menopause when you have gone 12 months without a period.

Most Australian females experience menopause between 45 and 55 years of age. The average age of menopause is 51 years.

Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause. It begins when your periods become irregular and lasts until 12 months after your final period.

Read more on perimenopause.

Some females experience premature or early menopause. There are different reasons for early and premature menopause, including some health conditions and treatments for some cancers.

Everyone experiences menopause differently. You may only have minor discomfort, or you may have more severe symptoms. You can have menopausal symptoms for 5 to 10 years.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Menopausal symptoms often start before your periods stop. Your symptoms may include:

• physical symptoms
• mood and emotional symptoms

Physical symptoms

Some common physical symptoms are:

• hot flushes and night sweats
• sleep problems
• itchy, crawly or dry skin
• headaches or migraines
• aches and pains
• increase in waist size

You may also get bladder, vaginal and vulval problems, such as:

• dry vagina
• loss of libido (sex drive)
• urinary (wee) problems

Mood and emotional health

As you approach menopause, you may notice that you:

• have difficulty concentrating
• are more forgetful
• feel anxious
• have a low mood or mood swings

Your symptoms may be worse if your menopause is caused by surgery or cancer treatment.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes menopause?

Menopause is a natural life stage that happens due to a change in your hormones.

If menopause happens before 40 years of age, it is called premature menopause. If it happens between 40 and 45 years of age, it is called early menopause. Early and premature menopause can happen because of a health condition, for example primary ovarian insufficiency (where your ovaries stop working normally). Menopause can also occur after surgery to remove your ovaries or uterus, or from cancer treatment.

Read more on premature and early menopause.

When should I see my doctor?

You should speak with your doctor if your menopause symptoms are getting in the way of your daily life.

You should also see your doctor if you experience vaginal bleeding after not having your period for a year.

Any abnormal bleeding needs to be checked by a doctor.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is menopause diagnosed?

There is no specific test for menopause. Your doctor will help you work out if you are menopausal based on your symptoms and medical history.

Blood tests are not usually done unless:

• your doctor thinks that you have early or premature menopause
• you have had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove your uterus)

Your doctor may also suggest other health checks, such as a:

• mammogram
• pelvic examination
• cervical screening test

How is menopause treated?

There is a range of treatments that your doctor may suggest to help you manage menopausal symptoms. Depending on how bad your symptoms are, they may recommend several treatments at one time.

Your doctor will talk with you about different options, such as:

• menopause hormone therapy (also known as hormone replacement therapy) — may reduce symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and sleep problems
• non-hormonal prescription medicine — may help if hormone therapy is not right for you
• lifestyle and behavioural changes — regular exercise, healthy eating, good sleep and stress management can ease your symptoms and improve wellbeing.

Some people try supplements or herbal remedies. There is no strong evidence that these work for symptoms of menopause.

If you have vaginal dryness, you can use lubricants to feel more comfortable.

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? — To search by brand name or active ingredient, use the Medicines information search feature.

Can menopause be prevented?

Menopause is a natural life stage and cannot be prevented. Lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms during this time.

Read more about postmenopause here.

What are the complications of menopause?

Menopause can cause changes in your body that affect your bones, heart and reproductive system.

You may experience:

• bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• bladder changes, such as needing to urinate (wee) more often or feeling pain when urinating
• weight gain, which may increase your chance of heart disease

Pregnancy and menopause

You can still become pregnant until you reach menopause.

If your period stops, take a pregnancy test to check.

Use contraception during perimenopause if you do not want to become pregnant. Speak to your doctor about when it is safe to stop using contraception.

Resources and support

To find a doctor who specialises in menopause, visit the Australasian Menopause Society.

Jean Hailes for Women's Health has fact sheets on menopause in several community languages and information to support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander females. They also have easy read fact sheets and videos in an accessible format to help people living with disability.

The International Menopause Society has videos explaining menopause in several community languages.

Partners and families can learn more at:

• Jean Hailes — information for partners
• NSW Health — understanding menopause for partners and families

For more information and support, you can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.