Menopause

It is estimated that eight out of ten women in the UK experience symptoms leading up to the menopause, and of these, 45% will find their symptoms difficult to deal with.

In most cases, the first symptom of the peri-menopause is a change in your usual menstrual pattern. You may find that your period starts to appear every two to three weeks, or you may not have one for months at a time. The amount of menstrual blood loss may also change, with most women finding that it increases slightly. However these changes should be discussed with your doctor as it may be realted to other abnormalities

Other common symptoms of the peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause are detailed below.

Hot flushes and night sweats

A hot flush is a sudden feeling of heat in your upper body, which can start in your face, neck or chest, before spreading upwards and downwards. You may find that the skin on your face, neck and chest becomes red and patchy, and you may start to sweat. You may also experience a change in your heart rate; it may become very rapid (known as tachycardia), or irregular and stronger than usual (known as palpitations).

Hot flushes that occur at night are called night sweats. Most hot flushes only last for a few minutes, and are most common in the first year after your final period.

Sleep disturbance

Many menopausal women have trouble sleeping due to night sweats, but sleep disturbance may also occur as a result of anxiety or insomnia. You may find that a lack of sleep makes you irritable, and that you have problems with your short-term memory and ability to concentrate.

Vaginal symptoms

During the peri-menopause, you may experience vaginal dryness, itching or discomfort. This can cause sex to become difficult or painful, which is known as dyspareunia. These symptoms combined are known as vaginal atrophy.

Approximately 30% of women experience the symptoms of vaginal atrophy during the early post-menopausal period, and up to 47% of women have them during the later post-menopausal period. However, in some cases it is possible to experience vaginal atrophy more than 10 years after your final period.

Urinary symptoms

During the menopause, you may find that you become prone to recurrent lower urinary tract infections, such as cystitis. You may also experience an urgent need to pass urine, and need to pass it more often than normal.

How long do menopausal symptoms last?

Without treatment, most menopausal symptoms are self-limiting, which means they gradually stop happening naturally. This usually happens two to five years after the symptoms start, but some women can experience symptoms for many more years.

If you experience vaginal symptoms, such as dryness, itching and discomfort, it is likely that they will persist or worsen over time unless they are treated.

Women Wellbeing

Mr Mark Malak. Consultant Gynaecologist & Urogynaecologist. MSc, DFFP, PhD FRCOG. Eastbourne DGH & Esperance Hospital

RCOG

Menopause: "National Library of Medicine"

Hot flushes : "Patient UK"

Symptoms of menopause

Hot flushes and night sweats

Sleep disturbance

Vaginal symptoms

Urinary symptoms

How long do menopausal symptoms last?

HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy : WHI study : "NIH"

Menopause and HRT: "Patient UK"

Menopause- Alternatives to HRT (Black Cohosh may cause Liver Failure): "Patient UK"

Osteoporosis: "National Library of Medicine"

Dry Vagina (Atrophic Vaginitis) : "Patient UK"Menopause and Sex : "Patient UK"

Dry Vagina (Atrophic Vaginitis) : "Patient UK"

Menopause and Sex : "Patient UK"

Mr Mark Malak

Mr Malak has a special interest in urogynaecology, colposcopy and minimally invasive laparoscopic & hysteroscopic gynaecological surgery (for abnormal bleeding, pelvic masses and pelvic pain).

Mr Malak is the East Sussex Hospitals Lead Urogynaecologist. He established the first integrated, multidisciplinary urogynaecology team in Eastbourne in 1996. His team was awarded the 2nd place in the prestigious “Hospital Doctor” award for the best urinary continence team in United Kingdom.

He is the Eastbourne Lead Colposcopist and is responsible for management of cervical abnormal cytology (smears).

Mr Malak was awarded the Department of Health Clinical Excellence Awards in 2005, 06, 07, 08 and 2009.

He was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph D) and the “Ernest Frizelle Prize” from University of Leicester for his important clinical research (45 publications). In 2008, Mr Malak was elected to the membership of the publication Committee of the International Urogynaecology Association.

Mr Malak publishes regular educational “Gynaecology Update” for GPs since 1997. He has also established educational internet sites for medical professions (markmalak.com) and for patients (mrmalak.com).

Mr Malak's achievements were featured in many national and local media (newspapers and TV news) regarding the introduction of minimally invasive surgery for heavy periods, impact of his clinical research and when his team won the 2nd place in the prestigious “Hospital Doctor” award.

He is keen to ensure that patients are fully informed and involved in all aspects of their care. Patients' feedback

For more information please visit the Author section

Dry Vagina (Atrophic Vaginitis) : "Patient UK"

Menopause and Sex : "Patient UK"