1. The Menopause What is it? What are the common symptoms?
What you can do to help?
Sources of support for you to access.

2. What is the Menopause?
ALL women will experience the Menopause at some stage in their lives
Periods stop and ovaries lose their reproductive function ~ no more ovulations, periods or pregnancies
Usually happens between ages 45-55
The average age in the UK is 51 years
Premature menopause can occur below the age of 40, but this is rare

3. The most common symptoms of Menopause include:
Symptoms vary HUGELY in duration, severity and what impact they have from woman to woman.
The most common symptoms of Menopause include:
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Sleeplessness
Vaginal dryness
Reduced libido
Urinary symptoms
Low mood and anxiety
Skin changes ~ itchiness, dryness, loss of elasticity

4. What you can do to help Lifestyle Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Eat a healthy, low fat, low salt
diet that is rich in calcium and
vitamin D.
Take part in regular exercise,
do something that you enjoy.
Stop smoking .
Alcohol + hormone
instability increases hot
flushes. Keep within 14 units
of alcohol per week, spread
out over 3 days or more.
Try relaxation techniques
/ yoga / mindfulness.
Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT)
Shown to alleviate low mood
and anxiety, hot flushes and
sweats.
Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT)
Most effective & widely used
treatment for the symptoms of
Menopause but not advisable
for all women.
Relieves symptoms
related to oestrogen
deficiency.
Prescribed by your GP.
There are benefits and
risks so please discuss
HRT with your GP in
order to make an
informed choice for you.
Complementary /
Alternative
Treatments
Although many options do not
stand up to scrutiny from
robust evidence-based
perspective, there will be
women who will benefit
from some of these
treatments.

5. Sources of support Your GP Your family & friends The Daisy Network
Manage my menopause
Website:
The Hysterectomy Association
Website:
Telephone:
Menopause Matters
Website:
The Daisy Network
The Daisy Network provides support and
information for women who have experienced a
premature menopause:
Website: