Treating the symptoms, physical and emotional

Some NHS health boards provide specialist menopause clinics. Ask at your GP surgery. In other areas, health boards provide menopause care through general practice and specialist referral when needed. The British Menopause Society lists menopause specialists. See thebms.org.uk For a network of menopause cafes, events and festivals, see menopausecafe.net.

For more resources, visit letstalkmenopause.co.uk menopausematters.co.uk and sandyford. org. Downloadable #Knowyourmenopause Pausitivity poster and info at pausitivity.co.uk.

More than hot flushes

While many people know about hot flushes and night sweats, there are dozens more symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.

They include anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, reduced motivation, fatigue, panic attacks, poor concentration, low energy, sleeplessness, breast cysts, weight gain, reduced libido, brain fog, memory loss, mood swings, itchy skin, hair loss, joint pains, muscle cramps and heavy and erratic periods.

Treatments for menopause Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is claimed as one of the best treatments for a wide range of menopausal symptoms, including emotional, as it replaces the body’s oestrogen.

There are many different types and doses of HRT, including tablets, patches and gels, and they all contain oestrogen.

If a woman still has her womb, she also needs a progestogen dose.

Some women also need to take the hormone testosterone because it can be reduced in menopause.

This hormone is important for libido and also can help to improve mood, energy and concentration.