Menopause symptoms strike early for 8 in 10

EIGHT out of ten women experience early symptoms of the menopause, say researchers.

The average British woman goes through the menopause at 52 and for decades research has focused on the years that followed.

As a result, women who have not gone through menopause but are experiencing symptoms find it difficult to get help.

The study found pre-menopausal females in their forties and early fifties experience a wide range of symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, pain or exhaustion.

For more than one in four the symptoms are often ‘severe’.

But scientists found many are being ignored – despite the fact providing women in the early stages of the menopause with the necessary treatment is vital in reducing their risk of developing chronic illness.

Lifestyle changes and even hormone therapy could prevent conditions related to the menopause developing later in life, such as heart disease and osteoporosis.

Dr Sioban Harlow, who led the research at the Centre for Midlife Science at Michigan University, said: ‘We were surprised to find a quarter of women in this relatively healthy group reported a broad range of often severe symptoms prior to the onset of the menopausal transition.

‘Importantly, we observed some women’s symptoms get worse while others improve as they transition through menopause, so this is a critical life phase for intervention.’

Dr Harlow added: It is important the healthcare community pays attention to the health needs of the one-quarter of women who are already highly symptomatic prior to the menopausal transition.’