Menopause
What Exactly is Menopause?
Menopause is a natural biological process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It’s a significant life transition that affects each woman uniquely, with physical, emotional, and hormonal changes.
During menopause, the body undergoes hormonal shifts—particularly a decrease in oestrogen—that influence many aspects of a woman’s health. These changes can affect everything from skin health to sleep patterns, mood, and overall well-being. Understanding menopause is the first step toward managing symptoms and embracing this new stage of life with confidence.
Stages of Menopause
Menopause is not a single event but rather a gradual process that occurs over several stages, each with its own set of changes and symptoms. Understanding these stages can help make the transition more manageable.
Peri-menopause
Peri-menopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, usually beginning in a woman’s 40s but sometimes earlier. During this stage, hormone levels, particularly oestrogen, begin to fluctuate, causing symptoms like irregular periods, hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Perimenopause can last anywhere from a few months to several years, with symptoms often gradually intensifying as menopause approaches.
Menopause
Menopause is officially reached when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, marking the end of her reproductive years. The average age for menopause is around 51, but it can occur earlier or later. During menopause, estrogen levels drop significantly, and symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness are common.
Post-menopause
Post-menopause refers to the years following menopause. During this stage, menopausal symptoms may continue for some women, but generally, they tend to lessen over time. However, the reduced oestrogen levels can lead to long-term health changes, such as an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups are key to managing health during post-menopause.
Menopause is a journey, and each stage comes with its own challenges and adjustments. By understanding these stages, you can take proactive steps to manage symptoms and prioritize your health and well-being.
About Menopause
Menopause, usually occurring in women between 45 and 55 years of age, can come with a range of symptoms with varying levels of severity. These can include hot flushes, mood changes, disturbed sleep, vaginal dryness, sexual problems, urinary problems, joint aches and pains, changes to skin, changes to energy levels, and more. This period of life can last for up to 7 years and sometimes longer in some women.
According to Dr Marfleet, “the menopause can be managed by lifestyle modification, non-hormonal and non-pharmaceutical treatments or appropriately prescribed HRT.
Symptoms such as flushes and sweats are often worse if women are overweight, smoke or drink excessive quantities of alcohol. Flushes can be triggered by alcohol, coffee and spicy foods. They may be worse in the summer or with central heating. It is important to have a healthy well-balanced diet.
Wearing natural fibres is helpful; silk, bamboo, cotton and even wool. Duvets, bedlinen and night wear are now available in these natural fibres.
Hormone Replacement therapy involves having Oestrogen plus a Progestin if the woman still has a uterus to protect the lining. Oestrogen is available as tablets, patches or gels, and many of these are Bio-identical. Bio-identical hormones are replicas of the ones that women produce naturally in their fertile years.
The regime used will depend on whether a woman is peri or post menopausal.
There are a number of Vaginal preparations available for women with Vulvovaginal atrophy (dry, sore vulva and vagina) – pessaries, gels, creams and a ring.
Many women also notice a fall in libido which is due to the drop in Testosterone levels which occurs in the menopause. Libido may improve with better sleep plus control of flushes, sweats and emotions and improvement in the vulva and vagina.
Testosterone will, however, give a boost to libido and energy levels and is available as gels or a cream. These are not licensed for use in women in the UK but are endorsed by the British Menopause Society and International Menopause Society.”
What Patients Are Saying
“The clinic is beautiful. It’s so calming I could quite easily spend time there looking out onto her beautiful garden. So peaceful.”
“Caroline Marfleet is an amazing lady! She absolutely changed my life with her treatment 27 years ago!!!!! So pleased to read she has joined your practice.” – Gill
“Facial Aesthetics is a lovely clinic, I wouldn’t consider going anywhere else.” – Laura
About menopause and the skin:
We have many patients at Facial Aesthetics whose main concern is something along the lines of “my skin has just lost its youthfulness; its glow lately.” Oftentimes these concerns start in the peri menopausal years when skin begins appearing dryer, or maybe thinner or less bright. This is because oestrogen production drops in these years, resulting in loss of natural collagen. The great news is that products like Emepelle and our array of skin treatments can help target these concerns.
However, other patients have noted many other of the 34 symptoms of menopause, from hot flushes to trouble sleeping. Any of these symptoms or the affects of ageing can be difficult to deal with. When this is the case, the best thing to do is have a consultation with a menopause and women’s health expert such as Dr Caroline Marfleet.
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