At Oxford Women's Health, we believe it's important to talk about menopause so you are aware of symptoms, and can access treatment to help manage any symptoms that are affecting your health and well-being. We want you to lead the full and active life you deserve.
Menopause symptoms can include hot flushes, sweats, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, sleep disturbance, weight changes, vaginal dryness, reduced muscle mass and mood changes. We find that women often explain such symptoms away and carry on as best they can rather than seeking help. However menopause symptoms can be debilitating and many women need support as they transition through the stages of menopause - perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.
The time your body starts transitioning to menopause is known as perimenopause and it can start four to five years before your periods stop. The average age of menopause is 51 and if you have had no periods for 12 consecutive months, you are considered to be postmenopausal.
There are a range of treatments and lifestyle adjustments that can help to manage menopause. These options include Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), vaginal lubricants and topical oestrogen. Oxford Women's Health has introduced a team of General Practitioners with a special interest in menopause to help you determine the best option for you. They provide support for women experiencing menopause symptoms, and work closely with our Endocrinologist, Dr Anna Fenton.
For more information on menopause, take a look the videos produced by the International Menopause Society (IMS). These videos explain what menopause is, how it might affect you, and how to choose safe and effective treatment options:
https://www.menopause.org.au/health-info/menopause-videos
You can also view a set of menopause questions with answers from Oxford Women's Health specialists by clicking here, or watch the video below taken from a public event held in Christchurch in 2021.
Other helpful resources include:
Australasian Menopause Society
- News
- Videos
- Information sheets
- E-learning opportunities
- Self-assessment tools
International Menopause Society
- Regular updates
- YouTube channel
- Professional resources, published papers, news and research
- We think this NHS article offers some great resources for women experiencing menopause. Alongside an overview of all the signs, symptoms, and treatment options to consider, you’ll also find information about sexual wellbeing and intimacy during and after menopause, tips to manage your symptoms in the workplace, and how menopause can impact our mental health. To read the series of informative articles, click HERE.
