World Menopause Awareness Day 2024

World Menopause Awareness Day is held every year on the 18th of October. Established by the International Menopause Society in 2009, the aims of this awareness day are to increase understanding surrounding the menopause and support those affected by it, improving the experience of people going through the menopause around the world.

According to a survey from 2022, out of 947 perimenopausal people in the UK over the age of 40, more than half don’t feel informed about the menopause. Research also shows that more than 60% of people who menstruate feel that they do not have a local GP who can advise them on the menopause. These statistics show just how vital awareness-building campaigns such as World Menopause Day still are – although education is improving, there’s still a long way to go.

Menopause Day encourages participation in this global awareness campaign by sharing materials through events and education. For 2024, this year’s theme is Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT, also known as HRT or Hormone Replacement Therapy), which we’ll be exploring further in this blog post.

The Three Stages of the Menopause

1. The perimenopause is the transition to the menopause: it can begin 8-10 years before the menopause, as your ovaries gradually produce less and less oestrogen. It will usually start in your 40s – in the UK, the average age is around 45. In the last couple of years of the perimenopause, the drop in oestrogen accelerates. At this stage, most will start to experience menopause symptoms. However, you’ll still have menstrual cycles during this time and can still get pregnant.
2. The menopause is the point where you no longer get any menstrual periods. Your ovaries have stopped producing eggs and no longer produce oestrogen. The menopause is confirmed when you haven’t had a period in 12 months, and the average age for this in the UK is 51.
3. After you haven’t had a period for 12 months (the menopause), you’ll enter the postmenopause. Symptoms can still stick around during the postmenopause but will be less severe. The most common symptoms include mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats, and urogenital atrophy (this causes vaginal dryness, discomfort during intercourse, and issues with urination).

“Perimenopause and menopause should be treated as the rites of passage they are and, if not celebrated, then at least accepted and acknowledged and honoured.”

Gillian Anderson, actress

Signs and Symptoms of the Menopause

The menopause is a gradual process. The period of time surrounding it can take anywhere between 7 and 14 years from beginning to end. Everyone’s experience with the menopause is unique: some suffer severe symptoms while others will barely notice a change. Some common physical symptoms include:

Physical changes during the menopause can heighten your risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, UTIs, and other vaginal infections.

Common mental and emotional symptoms include:

Your doctor can do a blood test to determine whether the menopause is likely. Levels that are consistently 30 mIU/mL or higher, combined with no period for 12 months, usually confirms the menopause. The PicoAMH Elisa diagnostic test can also determine whether the menopause has started.

Struggling with the Menopause? What’s Next?

In a recent research study, 1 in 10 women said that they had to leave work because of menopause symptoms, and 28% had to reduce their hours or go part-time. This shows the scale of the impact the menopause can have on people who menstruate – we shouldn’t underestimate what a big life change this phase marks. In light of this, if your menopausal symptoms are interfering with your quality of life, it’s best to talk to a healthcare professional to discuss the best treatments for you. Treatments may include:

Certain lifestyle changes or home remedies can also help alleviate symptoms:

Hormone Therapy for Treating Menopause Symptoms

Hormone therapy increases your hormone levels and can help alleviate uncomfortable or distressing menopause symptoms. Since the menopause increases the risk of osteoporosis, hormone therapy helps rebuild bone density. The two main types of hormone therapy are:

1. Oestrogen therapy (ET): where you take a small dose of oestrogen through a patch, pill, cream, vaginal ring, gel, or spray.
2. Oestrogen Progesterone/Progestin Hormone Therapy (EPT): this is a combination therapy for those with a uterus.

Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

During the menopause, declining oestrogen levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, as oestrogen helps protect the heart by controlling cholesterol and keeping blood vessels healthy. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replaces some of the lost hormones, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease if started early. However, HRT in tablet form slightly raises the risk of blood clots and stroke, though this risk is low for women under 60. HRT patches or gels may be safer options as they carry a lower risk of clotting.

Usually, the benefits of taking HRT outweigh the risks; however, it’s important to discuss your risks and benefits with a doctor before making an informed decision based on your physical and mental health status and the issues you’re currently experiencing.

Menopause FAQ

1. I’m having trouble sleeping and am tired constantly. Is this because of the menopause? Many report trouble sleeping during the menopause, whether it be a symptom of the menopause itself or as a result of hot flushes or cold sweats throughout the night. Sleep disturbances could be caused by many different factors, such as sleep-disordered breathing (sleep apnoea), restless legs syndrome, stress, anxiety, depression, painful chronic illnesses, and even some medications.
2. How might the menopause affect my sex life? Since the body produces less oestrogen during the menopause, many people find their libido isn’t what it once was. In addition, the lower levels of oestrogen in your body cause a decrease in the blood supply to your vagina, causing dryness. When you don’t have the right amount of lubrication in your vagina, this can lead to painful intercourse.
3. Will I start the menopause if I have a hysterectomy? If your surgeon removes your ovaries during the hysterectomy, you’ll have symptoms of the menopause immediately. If you keep your ovaries, the symptoms won’t begin immediately but will be brought on quicker.

In Summary

The menopause brings your fertile years to a natural end. Although there are many symptoms, this stage of life looks different for every person who menstruates. It’s essential to consider the emotional and mental impact associated with going through this phase in life, as well as the physical changes your body might be experiencing. World Menopause Awareness Day is here to improve education surrounding the menopause and how it can feel different for everyone. At this time, we want to raise awareness of what you can do to improve your physical and mental health in order to make your experience of the menopause less stressful or worrying. Remember: whether you’re currently experiencing the menopause or know someone who is, help and advice are always there. Don’t hesitate to contact your GP or another support service if you’re struggling.