What is menopause?
What is Menopause?
“a biological stage in a woman's life when menstruation stops permanently due to the loss of ovarian follicular activity. It occurs with the final menstrual period and is usually diagnosed clinically after 12 months of amenorrhoea” 1
Menopause is caused by lower levels of the hormone oestrogen. This can be natural or caused by some medical treatments such as hysterectomy or chemotherapy. Many cells in the body are sensitive to the lower levels of oestrogen so the symptoms of menopause affect multiple parts of the body.
The graph shows how the levels of oestrogen change throughout a woman’s lifetime; the lower levels of oestrogen at menopause are clearly visible.
2space
We should also be aware of the following terminology associated with menopause.
Click each button below to view each of the phrases and their meanings.
The impact of menopause
The impact of menopause is huge. Anyone who has periods will be affected and symptoms typically last for 5-7 years3. There is no universal experience of menopause, and women’s experiences are shaped by social, cultural, and biological factors4. This means that the impact of menopause is also not universal. Some women will transition smoothly without any major effects, but others will experience symptoms that are disruptive to both their personal and professional lives. Additionally, some women may experience psychological symptoms due to the loss of fertility.
This excerpt from the British Menopause Society shows some of the ways menopause impacts women’s lives.
These statistics demonstrate that menopause is not just an issue for the women experiencing it and that it has a knock-on effect for family, friends and employers.
The Fawcett Society found that 1 in 10 women left a job completely due to menopause symptoms.
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To try and reduce this impact, all parts of the UK have identified menopause as a main focus in their women’s health strategies. There is also guidance for employers on how to support women affected by the menopause at work.
Click each heading to reveal more information.