Menopause affects anyone who has periods – usually between the ages of 45 and 55 though it can also be earlier – and is when your periods stop due to lowering hormone levels.
Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause, but your periods have not stopped. Perimenopause ends and you reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.
Menopause or perimenopause can happen naturally, or for reasons such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy), cancer treatments like chemotherapy, or a genetic reason. Sometimes the reason is unknown.
Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods. These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards and can have a big impact on your life, including your relationships and work.
There are things you can do to help with symptoms, as well as medicines that can replace the missing hormones (HRT) and help relieve your symptoms. Getting advice early can help reduce the impact perimenopause and menopause have on your health, relationships and work.
If you think you have perimenopause or menopause symptoms, please contact us.
