Key points
- Menopause is your final period. In Australia, it usually happens around the age of 51.
- Perimenopause, the lead-up, can start years earlier and bring changing symptoms.
- You do not have to put up with symptoms that affect your life. There are a range of options to talk through with your GP.
Menopause is a natural stage of life, but the symptoms that can come with it are not always easy. Many women are surprised by how much the lead-up, called perimenopause, can affect sleep, mood, work and relationships. Knowing what is happening can help you get the right support.
Perimenopause and menopause
Menopause is your final menstrual period, confirmed after 12 months without a period. In Australia, it usually happens around the age of 51, though anywhere from the mid-40s to mid-50s is common. Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, when hormone levels change and periods become irregular. It can last several years.
Menopause before the age of 40 is called premature menopause, and before 45 is called early menopause. If either applies to you, talk to your GP.
Common symptoms
- Hot flushes and night sweats.
- Changes to your periods, which may become irregular, heavier or lighter.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Mood changes, anxiety or low mood.
- Difficulty concentrating, sometimes described as brain fog.
- Joint aches, tiredness and headaches.
- Vaginal dryness, discomfort during sex and bladder changes.
- Changes in weight or body shape.
Everyone’s experience is different. Some women have few symptoms, while others find them hard to manage.
When to see a GP
Book an appointment if symptoms are affecting your daily life, if you have very heavy or unusual bleeding, bleeding between periods or after sex, or any bleeding after menopause. These should always be checked.
Ways to manage symptoms
There are a range of options, and the right mix depends on your symptoms, your health and your preferences. Your GP can talk through lifestyle approaches, such as regular physical activity, sleep habits and reducing triggers like alcohol and caffeine, as well as medical and non-medical treatment options, including their benefits and risks.
Looking after your long-term health
Menopause is a good time to check in on your overall health, including heart health, bone health, cervical screening, breast screening and your weight and lifestyle.
Women’s health in Aberdeen
At Aberdeen Surgery, you can see a GP about menopause, weight and healthy ageing, and you can ask to see a female GP. GP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
