Menopause is when a woman stops having periods completely. It is a natural part of ageing.
Your periods stop due to lower hormone levels. This usually happens between ages 45 and 55. The average age in Ireland for a woman to reach menopause is 51. You reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.
Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few years before they stop. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.
In some women, periods can become very heavy in the year coming up to menopause.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is when you have symptoms before your periods have stopped completely. Symptoms can start 7 to 10 years before your periods stop.
Early menopause
If you experience menopause before age 45, this is called premature or early menopause.
Premature ovarian insufficiency
Around 1 in 100 women experience menopause under age 40. This is known as premature ovarian insufficiency.
Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
Symptoms usually start several years before your periods stop. Symptoms can also last for some time after your periods stop.
Most women will experience perimenopause and menopause symptoms. Some of these can be severe and have a big impact on your everyday activities.
Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
When to contact your GP
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if :
- you have menopause or perimenopause symptoms that are worrying you or impacting your daily life
- you're having symptoms before age 45
- your periods have stopped for a year or more before age 45
Diagnosing menopause
Your GP can usually confirm if you're menopausal based on your symptoms.
They may suggest a blood test to check your hormone levels.
They may refer you to a specialist clinic if:
- treatment does not help your symptoms
- you have ongoing side effects after treatment
- you cannot have hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- you have a complex medical history
Find a list of specialist complex menopause clinics
HRT and other treatment
Talk to your GP if you're finding your symptoms difficult. They will be able to help you and can recommend treatments.
Things you can do to help relieve menopause symptoms
Causes of menopause
As you get older there is a change in the balance of the body's sex hormones. This change causes menopause.
It happens when your ovaries produce less oestrogen (a hormone) and no longer release an egg each month.
Premature or early menopause can happen at any age, and often there's no clear cause.
Sometimes it can be caused by:
- a treatment such as surgery to remove the ovaries (oophorectomy)
- some breast cancer treatments
- chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- another health condition, such as Down syndrome or Addison's disease
Contraception and menopause
Hormonal contraception can affect your periods. You may not know for sure if you have reached menopause when you're on the contraceptive pill.
Screening and menopause
Keep up to date with your screening tests and appointments during and after menopause.
Screening tests include:
- cervical screening (ages 25 to 65)
- breast screening (ages 50 to 69)
- bowel screening (ages 59 to 70)