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Let’s #ChatMenopause - Let’s #ChatMenopause

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Campaign to raise awareness of menopause on social media

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Let’s #ChatMenopause - Let’s #ChatMenopause

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Help us make menopause part of everyday conversation

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Hello Menopause Podcast: Conversations with women about their menopause experiences so you feel less alone. Subscribe now.

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Menopausing by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter

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Menopausing by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter

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Menopausing by Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter

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Menopause App | Symptom Tracker & Knowledge Centre | Balance

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Menopause App | Symptom Tracker & Knowledge Centre | Balance

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Brought to you by Dr Louise Newson, download our balance menopause app today for expert content, a symptom tracker & personalised health reports.

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Tweets by Menopause_Cafe

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Tweets by drlouisenewson

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Tweets by menomatters

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Helen Clare - Menopause in Schools

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Tweets by HAClare

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Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause | Channel 4 Documentaries

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Davina McCall - Sex, Mind and the Menopause 

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Davina McCall - Sex, Mind and the Menopause 

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Channel 4 documentary October 2022.
Available to watch for free on YouTube.

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Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause | Channel 4 Documentaries

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Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause

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Davina McCall - Sex, Myths and the Menopause 

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Davina McCall - Sex, Myths and the Menopause 

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Channel 4 television programme.
Available to stream for free on All4.

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Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause

Davina McCall's Pill Revolution

Davina McCall Sex, Myths & Menopause (Signed)

Davina McCall Sex, Mind & Menopause (Signed)

Celebrity Save Our Sperm

My Big Boobs: UNTOLD

Obsessed with My Muscles: UNTOLD

Are Women the Fitter Sex?

Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause

Davina McCall's Pill Revolution

Davina McCall Sex, Myths & Menopause (Signed)

Davina McCall Sex, Mind & Menopause (Signed)

Celebrity Save Our Sperm

My Big Boobs: UNTOLD

Obsessed with My Muscles: UNTOLD

Are Women the Fitter Sex?

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Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause

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Davina was 44 and felt like she was losing it - hot flushes, depression, mental fog. Now she tells her menopause story, busting midlife taboos from sex to hormone treatment.

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Guide from Education Support

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Eteach article October 2022

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World Menopause Day: teaching and the menopause

For so long, there has been silence on menopause, which affects women typically in their 40s or 50s. Yet now, helped by events such as World Menopause Day, which takes place in October each year, there are more conversations about it, and women are able to speak up and speak out about their experiences of menopause while working. This shift can only be a positive thing, especially when it comes to women getting the support they need at this time in their lives in the workplace.

For up to a decade before menopause, women experience perimenopause, which can present challenging symptoms that they may not even recognise as being part of the run up to menopause. Menopause has officially been reached when it has been a year since a woman's last period.

Shockingly, up to a third of women will experience menopausal symptoms that impact on their quality of life. Many others will experience symptoms that can be incredibly difficult to manage especially if they hinder your ability to work. Knowledge and understanding are essential.

What to look out for

The symptoms that perimenopause and menopausal women may be dealing with at school include a loss of confidence in their own abilities, low mood, poor concentration, tiredness and fatigue, depression, and a newly unreliable memory. These symptoms can be worrying and debilitating.

Menopause may affect transgender, non-binary and intersex staff, too. In addition, some staff may be facing medical and surgical menopause and the associated loss of fertility which can hit hard. What we have to acknowledge is that there is no single experience of menopause. A one size fits all approach cannot ever be effective.

Helen Clare, who helps schools and teachers handle perimenopause and menopause so that they can focus on learners, and runs www.menopauseinschools.co.uk, has extensive experience of working with schools to get their response to the issues raised by menopause right. She explained, "There are big differences in awareness of menopause and how it might affect teachers. The biggest concerns that teachers tell me about are brain fog, fatigue, unpredictable and heavy menstrual bleeding, bladder issues, and fluctuating mood."

While each one of the symptoms may lead to more flexible working in another profession, teachers rarely have that option. Clare said, "Flexible working doesn't work in schools in the same way as it does in other jobs. There is no flexibility over when classes need teaching. So many women who are facing peri-menopause and menopause end up going part-time in order to better manage their symptoms, or leaving the profession altogether. And these are the experienced teachers in a predominantly female profession. These are the teachers who can support the early career teachers and who have decades of professional experience behind them. "

How can we help?

As women navigate their new realities when perimenopause and menopause hit, adjustments may need to be made in working hours, or perhaps additional breaks may be required. Counselling may be indicated and it is essential that women know where to get the information they require. Clare is keen that schools take a proactive role in this. She explained, "The first thing schools should do is make it a subject that can be talked about. Having a menopause policy that is stuck in a file and not discussed and adapted is worth nothing! Schools need to establish a culture in which menopause can be talked about in a sensitive and practical way (having a menopause champion that staff can chat to can help). We have to be comfortable with talking about it and teachers must know that if they need to talk about it, their school's staff will be able to have an informed discussion."

Whole staff INSET can be very useful in raising awareness and building knowledge about menopause. And the bottom line is that if we do not learn more about the needs of women at this stage of their careers they will disappear from the profession and we simply cannot afford that.

"Menopause policies have to be visible and practical and it is essential that staff are a part of the writing process," Clare said. "The policy should contain basic information about menopause so that it is an educational tool, as well as detailing what the school is prepared to offer. Teachers also need to know who the first point of contact is for anyone dealing with peri-menopause and menopause. There is a huge responsibility to be knowledgeable and sensitive around the subject. Schools cannot diagnose, but they can open up the space in which discussion about menopause can take place."

A key message for teachers in this position is not to struggle alone. Know what is happening and where you can get help if you need it. For Clare, this is crucial for anyone trying to make sense of the changes happening to them. "Make an appointment with yourself," she said, "so that you can check in and find out what is going on for you right now. We need to educate women in their 30s as to what they might expect."

One significant concern that some women at this stage of their lives have is that when they start losing words, which is a symptom of menopause, it will go against them in the classroom, or in meetings or interviews. Clare has some reassurance: "Forgetting the names of things is such a common feature of menopause. This is not a sign of dementia!"

Don't despair

There is a tricky balance to be had in the discussion of menopause and support for women at this stage of their lives. As Clare explained, "Menopause is challenging but we do not want it to be terrifying. With early diagnosis and appropriate action, it is usually manageable. And don't forget that post-menopause can be an incredible creative, energetic and inspiring time for women. There can be great advantages at this stage of life."

In such a female dominated profession, we have to get the support for perimenopausal and menopausal women right. Women need to be able to feel that they can request reasonable adjustments and they need to know that those requests will not be dismissed. If we get this right, the competence, calmness and experience that older women offer the profession may not be lost, and that has to be a goal worth reaching for.

Find out more...

About the author

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For so long, there has been silence on menopause, which affects women typically in their 40s or 50s. Yet now, helped by events such as World Menopause Day, which takes place in October each year, there are more conversations about it, and women are able to speak up and speak out about their experiences of menopause while working.

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Menopause In Schools - Helen Clare - Menopause Education and Support

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If you've ever wondered why a dedicated and talented teacher can suddenly start to struggle, or how a teacher's sick absence can creep up without explanation, or why there are so few female teachers over 55, you might want to start thinking about menopause.

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Menopause In Schools - Helen Clare - Menopause Education and Support

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If you've ever wondered why a dedicated and talented teacher can suddenly start to struggle, or how a teacher's sick absence can creep up without explanation, or why there are so few female teachers over 55, you might want to start thinking about menopause.

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How to manage the menopause as a teacher

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How to manage the menopause as a teacher 

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How to manage the menopause as a teacher 

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TES Magazine October 2019

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I wonder how many women have left jobs while going through the menopause.

It happened to me, albeit alongside a toxic work culture and two family crises that upturned my home life.

At 50, I felt like I'd hit rock bottom and wondered what the hell had happened.
Quick read: Quick listen: Want to know more? School uniform is sexist and policing it wastes valuable time. Let's scrap it The truth about mental health in schools Women, we've got to stop saying sorry at work
The menopause played its part and has continued to add to my life's rich pattern of ups and downs. The kids call me Stressy Messy and my partner creeps around the house hoping I'm in one of my efficient moods or even an angry state.

The one he struggles with is when I'm tearful, feeling like the world is going to end and wailing that we're probably going to lose the house, that our children will be taken from us because I can't have a shower and get dressed and that we'll be homeless and childless within a week.

While I catastrophise, he asks if I want a cup of tea.

And all these emotions can also come with sweating and weight gain to boot. That euphemistic phrase "the change" does not do justice to the volcanic eruption to work and family life.

How it happens

So what happened first? It's different for all women, but for me it probably began at 48 - without my realising it, but the signs were there. Mood changes, self-doubt (I'm usually a very confident person, especially in the workplace), anxiety, anger, disorganisation and short-term memory loss.

The final two were difficult to spot as I have attention deficit disorder (ADHD) so already struggle with these skills alongside a difficulty with sequential planning and working memory.

Previously, however, I would have told you that you missed out on having ADHD as it gave me an edge. I take risks, have an instant strategic overview and understanding of systems which comes naturally to me.

I am creative with few resources making the seemingly impossible possible. I was undaunted, brave and impulsive, bringing people along with me with a smile, stupid jokes and a scattering of swearing.

This changed. I became more negative and anxious and made mistakes that were out of character. The more this happened, the worse it became. I felt I was holding on by a thread.

Then conflict raised its ugly head at work at the same time as two significant family crises and boom - it felt like my life went from success to failure in a few months.

How to handle it

It didn't need to be like this, however, and a supportive work environment can make a huge difference.

If you are experiencing the menopause, here is my advice:

* Do not try and cope and think that if you just work harder it'll be fine.

* Ask your workplace for support. Tell them you are beginning to experience menopausal changes and find out what they offer.

* Contact your union; the NEU teaching union in particular is doing some great work on menopause at the moment.

* Find out as much as you can. Talk about it with your family, friends and colleagues, you'll be amazed how many people have experienced similar symptoms.

* Love yourself, look after yourself, eat healthily and take gentle exercise.

* Don't beat yourself up about it, be ashamed or think it's your fault.

* Remember that it's temporary.

If you think someone in your team is experiencing menopause, here is what I advise:

* Look to their strengths and try to remove any significant hurdles they are experiencing in the short term. For me it was admin. I could happily talk in front of 500 people or advise in a school effortlessly but paperwork became a struggle.

* Offer an occupational therapy assessment, in a gentle way, without blame.

* Be supportive. Don't start threatening a capability procedure, as this will only increase the anxiety; they'll be beating themselves up already.

* Create an open culture in the workplace that celebrates difference and includes everyone. Encourage discussion and have information about menopause readily available and visible rather than it being a taboo subject.

* Make sure you have a policy that supports women experiencing menopause and ensure you have cultivated a workplace where people can talk openly without fearing for their job or promotion prospects.
Jules Daulby is a teacher specialising in English, literacy, communication and inclusive practice. She is also a co-founder and strategic lead for @WomenEd
* Remember its temporary.

Finally, while it's important to be aware of the menopause, don't assume all women will require support - it is a natural part of female ageing.

Be aware and don't discipline but equally don't blame every mood or disagreement on the menopause; that's no better than asking women if it's "their time of the month".

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How to manage the menopause as a teacher

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I wonder how many women have left jobs while going through the menopause. It happened to me, albeit alongside a toxic work culture and two family crises that upturned my home life. At 50, I felt like I'd hit rock bottom and wondered what the hell had happened.

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Menopause in Education: The Impact of 'The Change' on the Teaching Profession | Miss Menopause

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Miss Menopause | Miss Menopause about change, the change

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According to recent government figures, three quarters of teachers are women, so why is support for those in the profession who are going through the menopause glaringly lacking?

The average age that a woman reaches menopause is 51, but symptoms can start much earlier. Women over 50 are also the fastest growing workplace demographic and many women working in education are in senior leadership positions by this stage in their careers.

While all women go through menopause, some will have a more difficult time of it because of the nature of their job role. Teaching is no exception.

How will a female teacher suffering from menopause-related anxiety cope in such a physically and mentally-demanding school, college, or university environment?

How will menopause-related fatigue and problems concentrating fare against dealing with problem pupils, excessive workloads, and strict deadlines?

What about heavy and unpredictable periods? Hot flushes? What if you can't just up and leave the classroom if you need to?

Some women's menopause symptoms are so severe that they either need time off from work or questions get asked about their capability to do their job.

Sadly, support from managers, even female ones, is often not forthcoming.

The result is many wonderful educators feel they have no choice but to leave their role, which is very sad, considering that getting there is the culmination of a lifetime's work for many women in the profession.

Can the teaching profession afford to lose such highly-skilled and valuable teaching talent? That's what could happen if schools, colleges, and universities don't become more menopause friendly.
What can be done to better support female educators who are going through menopause?
There's no getting away from it, teaching is a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding job at the best of times, so when it comes to menopause, we can't just sweep it under the rug.

When I deliver menopause training to an organisation, I always make a point of saying that menopause should be business as usual. While there are some really positive signs that it's being talked about more openly, it's still a bit of a workplace taboo.

Women are still suffering in silence, and considering leaving their jobs, which is bad news for a profession like teaching which struggles to recruit and retain talented staff.

So what can be done?

The first step is talk about it. Raise awareness about menopause, bust the myths, and make it everybody's business. The goal should be to create a menopause friendly workplace where women feel comfortable talking about how it's affecting them and where they are able to ask for advice and support.

If your workplace doesn't have a comprehensive menopause policy, put one in place that will meet the needs of women going through menopause as well as providing straightforward guidance for their line managers.

Speaking of policies, make sure your sickness absence monitoring policies and arrangements don't lead to the detrimental treatment of women who need time off for menopause-related reasons. Similarly, bear this in mind where absence and a symptom-related decline in performance can affect things like pay progression.

Improve awareness of menopause across all levels of the workforce, particularly at leadership level.

Make reasonable adjustments to support women going through menopause, such as:

Allowing toilet breaks during lessons where necessary.

Providing sanitary products in staff toilets.

Providing a place to shower and change if necessary.

Considering flexible working requests such as reducing hours or allowing some work to be done from home to help women manage their symptoms.

Providing access to cold water and allowing employees to control the temperature of their working environment if possible.
Menopause in the national curriculum
The government has added menopause as a topic to be covered on the sex education curriculum in secondary schools. Surely schools that are menopause aware and menopause friendly will be better placed to give pupils a broader and more enlightened view of the topic?

And it all needs to begin with how they support their own staff.
My mission
Raising awareness about the menopause among women, men, and employers is all about education and making it comfortable and acceptable for people to speak about it. Menopause is not a condition to be treated and cured, it's a normal stage of life that every woman goes through. Helping people to realise this is my mission.

My training events are aimed at educating HR professionals, managers, and working women about the menopause in a fun, engaging, and informative way.

If you'd like to find out more, contact me at sharon@missmenopause.co.uk

You can also join my Facebook group or my Facebook and Twitter campaign #wearemenopause

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Menopause in Education: The Impact of 'The Change' on the Teaching Profession | Miss Menopause

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According to recent government figures, three quarters of teachers are women, so why is support for those in the profession who are going through the menopause glaringly lacking? The average age that a woman reaches menopause is 51, but symptoms can start much earlier.

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Cracking the Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie

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Cracking the Menopause by Mariella Frostrup and Alice Smellie

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Website linked to the book, includes additional information.
Note: This is a commercial website that includes product promotions.

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While keeping yourself together

Mariella Frostrup
Alice Smellie

'I inhaled this book, it's fantastic'
Claudia Winkleman

We're here to help you decide which beauty products, wellbeing ideas, and exercise techniques might help you to navigate a calm journey through the potentially rocky seas of the menopause.

Who are We?

We are the co-authors of Cracking The Menopause, campaigners and beauty lovers. We firmly believe that you should age as you like. Your face tells your life story, and wrinkles are often a badge of honour. But a bit of help is often appreciated. We aren't anti-ageing, we want to look the best we can FOR our age.

Mariella Frostrup
Presenter, journalist and campaigner

ALICE SMELLIE
Writer

The Contributors

Events

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'I inhaled this book, it's fantastic' Claudia Winkleman We're here to help you decide which beauty products, wellbeing ideas, and exercise techniques might help you to navigate a calm journey through the potentially rocky seas of the menopause. Who are We? We are the co-authors of Cracking The Menopause, campaigners and beauty lovers.

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Dr Naomi Potter’s website with many links to information and further resources.

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Books: Menopause

MENOPAUSE ESSENTIALS
By Menopause Matter's own Dr. Heather Currie Kindle edition available.
This Essential book answers all the key questions asked about the menopause in a succinct, accessible and up-to-date form. The menopause is an inevitable and natural part of every woman's life. Some sail through it with no problems at all. Most are not so lucky: two-thirds of women suffer from one of the characteristic symptoms and one in five finds that it profoundly affects their mood and quality of life.

This introductory guide answers 50 key questions asked by women going through the menopause and their families.

It provides a summary of symptoms and treatments and offers practical advice on living life with the menopause. There is a glossary at the end of this book.

Preview available on Amazon

MENOPAUSE
By Menopause Matter's own Dr. Heather Currie
Answers at your fingertips.

Commended at the BMA Medical Book Competition Awards 2007.

Special Offer! This book is now available, priced £12.99 (plus £0.01 p&p)

By mail: please send a cheque for £13.00 (inc p&p) to: FREEPOST Class Learning. No stamp needed if posted in UK

Order by phone: 01256 302 699 and quote ref: MENP08 when you order.

Order online: here. Add MENP08 in the coupon code box and the price will be adjusted to £13.00 at the bottom of the page.

You can also purchase from Amazon via the button, below-left.
download an extract (pdf 160k)
Reviews "

MENOPAUSE MATTERS MAGAZINE

Get all the tips, ideas and inspiration to survive the menopause...
MORE INFORMATION

Management of the Menopause

The essential handbook for healthcare professionals working in post reproductive health

Sixth edition. Published by the British Menopause Society 2017 Paperback. 180 pages with comprehensive references and index

Incorporating the recommendations for best practice from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guideline Menopause: Diagnosis and Management Published in November 2015

Purchase from The BMS

Understanding the Menopause: A Practical Guide to Managing your Symptoms

Dr Susan Avery

"Understanding the Menopause" is a guide to life during the Peri-menopause, and the menopause itself. It also covers the post-menopausal phase and the changes that affect the rest of your life. The book seeks to explain what causes this midlife crisis in Women's Health, how changes in lifestyle can help to maintain health during the menopause, as well as the pros and cons of the available treatments.

Menopause: The Change for the Better

Henpicked

Why is talking about the menopause so taboo? When it's something that all women experience, and all in their own unique way. Written by a range of expert contributors from clinical professionals to natural practitioners, this comprehensive and thoroughly researched guide equips you with everything you need to help prepare for the changes ahead.

Reflecting the latest NICE guidelines and information about HRT, this book provides a balanced view and encourages you to explore the options and think about what's right for you.

Menopause: The One-Stop Guide: The best practical guide to understanding and living with the menopause.

Kathy Abernethy

A cognitive behavioural self-help guide to the menopause

Menopause: The One-Stop Guide explains the changes which are occurring and advises on steps one can take to make life easier during this time of change. With clear and sensible information about recognising symptoms, getting help, treatment and staying positive, this guide will help those who are going through menopause, and family members who wish to better understand and offer their support.

ME & MY MENOPAUSAL VAGINA: Living with Vaginal Atrophy.

Jane Lewis

One woman's journey of menopause and vaginal atrophy. Written in collaboration with her daughter in a tongue-in-cheek way to help break taboos of vaginal atrophy. This book is informative, serious, tear jerking and guaranteed to make you laugh.

Managing Hot Flushes and Night Sweats A cognitive behavioural self-help guide to the menopause

Myra Hunter, Melanie Smith

This book sets out an interactive four-week programme using cognitive behavioural therapy, with exercises and worksheets designed to enable women to develop strategies for managing menopausal symptoms.

The Hot Flush Freedom Challenge

Julie Dennis

10 days to cool down, calm down and break through the brain fog of menopause

The Second Half of Your Life

Jill Shaw Ruddock

"This book will make you want to run straight into the arms of menopause, embrace it and get to the best years of your life - no longer a slave to your hormones. Free at last, free at last" -Ruby Wax

The Menopause. What you need to know.

Dr.Margaret Rees, Professor David Purdie, Dr.Sally Hope, British Menopause Society Publications Ltd.

Menopause Confidential
Looks at menopause from both female and male perspectives. A nice change from books filled with medical jargon and opinions.

Usha Phadke

This book is unique and an excellent guide for middle aged couples. It delves into the psyche of both women and men and reminds us of the importance of nurturing our emotional health during the menopause years.

My husband and I found it very useful because it provided food for thought on the ways in which both women and men can nurture their emotional health and improve the relationship with their partner as they embark on the menopause years and middle age. Reviewed by Louise Bowers.

Screaming to be heard.

Hormone Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Still Ignore.

Elizabeth Lee Vliet

50 Things You Can Do Today to Manage the Menopause

Wendy Green

Menopause for Dummies (UK Edition)

Sarah Brewer

Is it me or my hormones?

Dr Margaret Smith

Magical menopause

Monica Troughton

Visitors from menopausematters.co.uk can purchase the book at the special price of £9.99 which includes postage and handling (normal RRP £12.99). To take advantage of this special offer simply click here, add the book to your basket and enter the promotion code ' Brilliant 141 ' when prompted at the checkout. Your discount will be automatically deducted at the end of your transaction on the Infinite Ideas website.

To order by telephone please call 01865 514 888, and to order by post send a cheque to Infinite Ideas, 36 St. Giles, Oxford OX1 3LD and quote the promotion code above with your order.

Natural Menopause

Jan Clark

The Wisdom of Menopause

Dr. Christiane Northrup

The Menopause Bible: The Complete Practical Guide to Managing Your Menopause

Robin N. Philips (Editor)

Action Plan for Menopause.

Your guide to a healthy, vibrant transition.

By Barbara Bushman and Janice Clark Young

The Phyto Factor: A Revolutionary Way to Boost Overall Health - Reducing the Risk of Cancer, Heart Disease and Osteoporosis - And to Control the Menopause Naturally.

By Maryon Stewart

Making Love the Way We Used To... or Better: Nine Secrets to Satisfying Midlife Sexuality.

Alan M. Altman, Laurie Ashner

The Premature Menopause Book: When the "Change of Life" Comes Too Early

Michelle Warren (Foreword), Kathryn Petras

Menopause: The Complete Guide to Maintaining Health and Well-being and Managing Your Life.

Dr. Miriam Stoppard

The New Natural Alternatives to HRT.

Marilyn Glenville

Could it be Perimenopause?

Steven R. Goldstein

Is It Me or Is It Hot in Here?

Jenni Murray

Hot and Bothered: Women, Medicine, and Menopause in the United States.

Judith A. Houck

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About the Menopause

John R. Lee

Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The Silent Epidemic: part of a campaign to create much needed awareness about an extremely common female health issue that is still hugely in the closet.

Sherrie Palm

Fabulous Foreplay: The Sex Doctor's Guide to Teasing and Pleasing Your Lover

Dr. Pam Spurr

The Menopause Monologues
A collection of real-life experiences of the menopause by women (and a few men!), aimed at shattering one of the last taboos and getting us all talking about something half of us will go through, and many of the other half will go through second hand. Some of the "stories" are funny, some are heart-rending - and all of them are refreshingly honest.

Harriet Powell

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MENOPAUSE ESSENTIALS By Menopause Matter's own Dr. Heather Currie Kindle edition available. This Essential book answers all the key questions asked about the menopause in a succinct, accessible and up-to-date form. The menopause is an inevitable and natural part of every woman's life. Some sail through it with no problems at all.

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We've asked our fabulous MenoSisters to rate their top menopause books and here's the verdict: THE GOOD MENOPAUSE GUIDE BY LIZ EARLE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great read! Definitely recommend this book as a good no nonsense guide to menopause. Great tips and common sense explanations to every aspect of menopause and peri menopause.

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Rock My Menopause - Menopause Information

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Campaign to stamp out prejudice and taboo related to menopause, led by primary care health professionals.

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Rock My Menopause - Menopause Information

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Our menopause campaign will empower you with the information you need to become menopause aware to talk to your GP and loved ones with confidence.

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The Menopause Charity - Menopause Facts, Advice and Support

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Imagine if over half the UK population was to experience the same life-changing health condition, which if disregarded would contribute to an increase in disease and illness, an increase in mental health issues, and the likelihood of losing jobs and marriages. Wouldn't we want to do something about that?

This is the current situation for the 33 million women in the UK who, at some stage in their life, will experience menopause. But, due to a lack of awareness among the public, a lack of training among some medical professionals and social stigma, their needs during this critical life change are frequently ignored, belittled or overlooked.

No two menopause stories are the same. This contributes to the lack of understanding. Some women transition smoothly, without any major effects. Others will suffer the most extreme symptoms and endure the massive negative impact these have on their lives.

We're working towards a more holistic view of an individual's overall health state. So that multiple symptoms become correctly recognised as perimenopause or menopause. This doesn't just immediately improve current health. Educated decisions protect against long-term medical issues, caused by menopause, that affect quality and longevity of life.

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The Menopause Charity - Menopause Facts, Advice and Support

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The Menopause Charity works to education everyone so that perimenopause and menopause are properly understood. We deliver trusted information and support for those experiencing or treating menopausal symptoms, as well as family, friends, co-workers and employers.

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Menopause & Me official site provides tailored information on all stages of menopause. Get useful information and tools for managing your symptoms.

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Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice

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Doctor to doctor
Dr Ben Sinclair, with nearly two decades' experience as a British GP and Founder of Dr Finlay's Private Practice, interviews a range of extraordinary people from all walks of life and recently he spoke with our very own Dr Heather Currie MBE about menopause, her career and life.
" Listen here

Have you experienced memory issues in menopause?
Lexi is a PhD researcher at University College London (UCL). She is looking for research participants who have experienced memory issues during menopause for a focus group study. If you have experienced memory or concentration problems during your menopause, she would like to hear from you! Please contact her by email if you are interested.
" Email Lexi here

Episode 4 of our Let's Talk Podcast: The psychological & emotional symptoms
Thankfully there has been increased awareness about these symptoms in relation to the menopause in recent years. They are incredibly common and can be some of the most debilitating symptoms that people will experience...but don't forget, not everyone will experience these symptoms. It can be challenging for some people to identify the cause of these symptoms, as it's not always related to hormones - there can be many contributory factors. We discuss the range of options which can help to manage these symptoms. Is it right to take antidepressants, should you take HRT, is a combination acceptable? We go through alternative options for you to consider, either on their own or in combination with the above, but remember taking an individualised approach is always important. We also continue the conversation about HRT.

A new weekly podcast will be available from 6pm every Tuesday or you can listen now via the link below and catch up with those you may have missed.

Menopause Matters information is available via Amazon Alexa
Menopause Matters will be providing answers to some of the most commonly asked questions around menopause via Amazon's cloud-based voice service, Alexa.
" Read more

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Menopause Matters, menopausal symptoms, remedies, advice

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Menopause and treatment options. An independent, clinician-led site aiming to provide accurate information about the menopause.

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Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It usually affects women between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier.

It affects anyone who has periods.

Menopause 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.

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 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.

Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on your life, including relationships and work.

There are things you can do to help with symptoms. There are also medicines that can replace the missing hormones and help relieve your symptoms.

Page last reviewed: 17 May 2022
Next review due: 17 May 2025

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Find out about menopause symptoms, causes and treatments, and things you can do to help.

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This guideline covers the diagnosis and management of menopause, including in women who have premature ovarian insufficiency. The guideline aims to improve the consistency of support and information provided to women in menopause.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has produced guidance for gynaecological services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December 2019, in response to an MHRA safety alert on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the risk of breast cancer, we replaced the table in the recommendation on breast cancer risk with a link to the MHRA's advice on HRT risks and benefits. We will also update this recommendation as part of the planned update to the guideline.

Recommendations

The guideline includes recommendations on:

Who is it for?

Healthcare professionals who care for women in menopause.

Women in menopause, and their families and carers

Is this guideline up to date?

We checked this guideline in December 2019 and September 2021, and are updating it. The update will focus on managing urogenital atrophy, the long-term benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy for managing menopausal symptoms. See the guideline in development page for progress on the update.

Guideline development process
How we develop NICE guidelines
Your responsibility

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian.

All problems (adverse events) related to a medicine or medical device used for treatment or in a procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the Yellow Card Scheme.

Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline to be applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They should do so in the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services, and in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties.

Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.

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This guideline covers the diagnosis and management of menopause, including in women who have premature ovarian insufficiency. The guideline aims to improve the consistency of support and information provided to women in menopause. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has produced guidance for gynaecological services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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For healthcare professionals The British Menopause Society (BMS) is the specialist authority for menopause and post reproductive health in the UK. Established in 1989, the BMS educates, informs and guides healthcare professionals, working in both primary and secondary care, on menopause and all aspects of post reproductive health.