Did you know that the average age for women in the UK to reach menopause is 52, but a woman could start to experience menopausal symptoms (see http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Menopause/Pages/Symptoms.aspx) between the ages of 45 and 55? Each person’s experience of it is different but every woman will go through the menopause at some stage.
So, why do so many women experience both physical and emotional symptoms, such as hot flushes, night sweats and irritability and a lot more besides? Medical experts at NHS Choices explain that it is during the time leading up to the menopause, the hormonal and biological changes that are associated with the menopause begin. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 women in the UK experience symptoms leading up to the menopause. Of these, 45 per cent find their symptoms difficult to deal with.
There are, however, many women who reach the menopause without seeking medical advice and can address the majority of symptoms by a simple change in lifestyle. That said, it is important to know that treatments are available that can ease the more severe or distressing menopausal symptoms. Your GP would be able to provide guidance on all treatments including their benefits and possible side effects, and NHS Choices provides instant access to good information for you and those close to you. Being a topic regularly discussed in the press, there is a lot of misinformation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which can automatically raise concern. While there are some risks that you need to be aware of, many women find it dramatically helps ease their menopause symptoms but it is vital to source trustworthy information in order to help decide whether it’s right for you.
The menopause will inevitably happen to every woman and there is no need to face it alone. One source of support is NHS Choices and if you go to the website you will find expert medical guidance, but also online advice from those who have, or are currently going through, the change. As with all health conditions being able to source accurate and trustworthy information can give you greater choice and help you deal more effectively with the menopause.
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