Menopause

Menopause is defined as a biological stage that occurs when hormones change and eventually menstruation stops. The average menopause age is 51, however it can be earlier for some, due to surgery, illness, or other reasons.

When we refer to menopause, we are referring to perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause, which are defined below:

Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause when hormone levels are changing which can cause symptoms. This can be years before menopause. Menopause is usually defined as having occurred when someone has not had a period for 12 consecutive months (not the case for medical menopause when certain surgeries cause immediate menopause). The following day is classed as menopause.

Postmenopause is the time after menopause has occurred, starting when someone has not had a period for 12 consecutive months and for the rest of their life. When we talk about menopause in this guide, we are referring to any of these stages.

More information about the menopause, symptoms and treatment can be found on the NHS website (external link). 

Menopause before 40 is known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Surgery and medical conditions, such as a hysterectomy, fertility and hormone treatment, and cancer treatments can cause menopause symptoms. In these cases, symptoms can be severe as hormone production is abruptly ceased.

Anyone with ovaries can experience menopause regardless of gender or gender identity. Hormone therapy as part of someone’s transition to a true gender can also bring on menopause symptoms.

Experiences of the menopause may also differ in relation to disability, age, neurodiversity, race, religion, sexual orientation or marital/civil partnership status. Some factors may make coping with symptoms more difficult.

It is also important to remember that partners, family members and colleagues may need support living and working with someone who is struggling with symptoms.

Andropause (male menopause)

Testosterone levels fall very gradually from the ages of 30 to 40 for men, and this is unlikely to cause any problems. A sudden drop in testosterone in middle age, like hormonal changes in the female menopause, is uncommon, but can be tested for.

Some men develop depression, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and other physical and emotional symptoms when they reach their late 40s to early 50s due to andropause. It is important to find the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it.

More information about andropause can be found on the NHS website (external link).