How to know if you are in menopause

It is important to remember that every woman experiences menopause differently.

Most women will have some symptoms around the time of menopause. The length and seriousness of these symptoms can vary from woman to woman – and some can be severe and have a significant impact on everyday activities.

Symptoms can start a few months or years before your periods stop. This is known as perimenopause. Symptoms can also last for some time after your periods stop.

Most symptoms last around 4 years from your last period. But around 1 in every 10 women have symptoms for up to 7 years.

If you go through menopause suddenly, your symptoms may be worse. For example, as a result of cancer treatment or surgical removal of your ovaries.

Your GP can give you a clinical diagnosis of menopause, or peri-menopause. The GP will ask you about your menstrual history, your past medical history, family history and so on. While some symptoms of menopause are well known, some others can be harder to recognise.

The first sign of menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods, however people experience menopause type symptoms in their 40’s and often have very regular cycles.

Common symptoms include:

• hot flushes
• night sweats
• difficulty sleeping
• low mood or feeling anxious
• fatigue/lack of energy
• problems with memory or concentration
• vaginal dryness and pain, itching or discomfort
• reduced sex drive (libido)
• discomfort during sex
• irregular periods
• headaches
• heart palpitations (a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart)
• recurring UTIs
• loss of muscle
• weight gain
• joint aches and pains

Other changes in periods include:

• frequency - longer or shorter cycles
• duration - how many days your period lasts for
• flow - lighter or heavier periods

For women, bone density is highest when you are in your 30s, and decreases thereafter, therefore menopause increases your risk of developing other problems, such as osteoporosis (weak bones).

The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has assembled a helpful list of resources to give you some general information about menopause, what it is, how it is diagnosed, and what to expect from its treatment. This includes a video with Dr Nóirín O’Herlihy explaining what to expect at your first GP visit to discuss menopause.