HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Overview of menopause
Mō te rauhinetanga
Menopause is a natural process that happens in all women. It happens when your ovaries stop releasing eggs. This means your levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone change. The lining of your womb (uterus) stays thin and eventually, your periods stop.
This can happen suddenly, or over several years as your periods become more irregular and then stop completely.
Menopause is defined as not having a period for:
- more than one year, if you're not pregnant and older than 50
- more than two years, if you're not pregnant and younger than 50.
Menopause usually happens when you're around 50 years old.
Early menopause happens between the ages of 40 and 45.
Premature menopause starts before age 40. It's also referred to as premature ovarian failure or primary ovarian insufficiency.
Artificial menopause happens when your ovaries have been surgically removed or stop working because of cancer treatment.
Perimenopause is the time when your periods become irregular before they finally stop. This usually lasts between four and eight years.
Postmenopause starts from one year after your last period.
Important
Heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after sex are not part of menopause and are always a reason to see your GP.
You should also see your GP if:
- you have menopause symptoms and you're under 40
- you start bleeding again after not having a period for 12 months or more.
Symptoms of menopause
Sometimes you'll experience physical and emotional symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. These are caused by the falling level of estrogen in your body. Symptoms vary, with some women having no symptoms at all.
Common symptoms include:
- irregular periods
- hot flushes and night sweats
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- vaginal dryness
- low interest in sex (low libido)
- poor memory and concentration
- anxiety, irritability or other mood changes
- weight gain.
Some women do not have symptoms for long, while for others they can last several years.
Menopause can also increase your likelihood of getting osteoporosis.
Diagnosing menopause
Your symptoms and the changes in your menstruation are usually all that is needed to diagnose menopause. However, you may need some blood tests to check your hormone levels if you are younger than 40 and have menopause symptoms.
Contraception and menopause
If you are under 50 you still need to use contraception for two years after your last period. If you are over 50 you still need to use contraception for one year after your last period. Menopause hormone therapy (MHT, previously called hormone replacement therapy or HRT) is not a contraceptive.
If you're over 55 you do not need to use any contraception, whether you still have periods or not.
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- British Menopause Society – Menopause explained
This video explains what menopause is, its symptoms, and suggestions for managing symptoms.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Australasian Menopause Society – Menopause what are the symptoms?
A fact sheet about menopause symptoms and ways to treat them.
- NZ Early Menopause Support Group
This site provides support, resources and shared stories for women who are experiencing or have experienced an early menopause.
- Royal New Zealand and Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Menopause
This pamphlet explains the different types of menopause, symptoms and treatment options, including ways to help yourself.
On the next page: Treating menopause symptoms
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed September 2021.
SourcesReview key: HIMNP-12236
