Menopause

Menopause, Perimenopause and endometrial protection

Menopause is a natural process when menstruation stops permanently because of loss of ovarian follicular activity. It coincides with follicular depletion and a drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels. A diagnosis is usually made after 12 months of amenorrhoea. The mean age of natural menopause is 51 years.

• Before the menopause, patients undergo a period of irregular cycles of ovulation and menstruation. This is called perimenopause.
• Some patients may undergo menopause earlier between the ages of 40-45 years. This is defined as early menopause. However before the diagnosis is made the causes of secondary amenorrhoea (i.e. pregnancy, cushing's syndrome, hormone secreting tumours etc) need to be excluded.
• If ovarian function is lost before the age of 40, this is referred to as premature ovarian insufficiency.

On average, most symptoms last around

4 years

from when a woman’s periods end, however, around

1 in every 10

women experience them for up to

12 years

History Taking

Important questions to consider during initial assessment are:

These questions will all help determine which treatment is necessary for the patient.

Menopause by Numbers

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