How does menopause make you feel?
Menopause can come with all sorts of physical and psychological symptoms. However you’re feeling, we’re here to help with information about treatments and self-care.
What does menopause mean? Hear from our experts.
Menopause can come at you from every angle. It affects you mentally and physically, and it can affect you in different ways during the day and the night. Some symptoms are relatively short-term, but there are also long-term after-effects.
That’s why we gathered together experts from across Bupa and asked them to talk about menopause symptoms. In this video they explore how symptoms can be treated and managed, naturally and with hormones, and they offer advice about getting a diagnosis.
Have you ever asked yourself, is this normal while going through the menopause?
There are lots of different symptoms of the menopause but everyone's experience is different. When we talk about the menopause everybody always immediately thinks about hot flushes and night sweats. But we don't so often talk about the other symptoms of the menopause: brain fog, problems with short-term memory, poor concentration, headaches, palpitations, a low sex drive and a general lack of energy, and tiredness.
Certain symptoms may be less openly talked about than others. This can include problems with dry vaginas and painful sex. Often the problem is caused by oestrogen deficiency, and an oestrogen cream might be the most appropriate treatment.
If you start experiencing any of these symptoms then make an appointment with your GP and start having those conversations, because it can have a serious impact on quality of life and relationships.
It's very common for people going through the menopause to find that it does affect their mental health. This can lead to low self-confidence, low self-esteem, panic attacks, anxiety. It's important that women don't suffer these, but seek help.
There are lots of different treatments available for the menopause. Firstly I would encourage all women to try some self-help measures. Try and have a healthy balanced diet, that they try and keep their weight within a healthy range, and that they exercise regularly. Some other women will be keen to use HRT; it replaces the hormones that are missing or are too low and which are causing the symptoms.
There's no need to be worried or anxious about raising these symptoms with a doctor. There's always someone suitable that they can find for you to talk to if that particular doctor is someone that you may not be able to have an open and frank conversation with. Really anything that helps relax you and helps your focus and manage the stress levels around you will help you manage the symptoms of menopause.
How does menopause make you feel ?
Some women are fortunate enough not to have any symptoms. But 1 in 4 will have severe ones†, and 1 in 10 may have symptoms for up to 12 years‡. Any symptoms may begin during perimenopause (the stage leading into full menopause).
Hot flushes
An overwhelming sense of heat, accompanied by flushed skin, mean these can sometimes be distressing and embarrassing.
Night sweats and insomnia
Uncomfortable, disturbed nights can make it even harder for you to cope during the day.
Vaginal dryness
Hormonal changes can lead to concerns like soreness, infections, and discomfort during sex.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
A thinning of your tissues, along with vaginal dryness, can lead to recurrent UTIs.
Hair loss in women
Hormone changes can cause your hair to thin during the menopause. Feeling stressed can make it worse.
Osteoporosis
During the menopause, your bones lose density. This can lead to the risk of broken bones in later life.
How does the menopause affect your mental health?
It’s important to recognise that there are genuine psychological effects. For example, over a quarter of all of menopausal women feel less outgoing in social situations, and feel more isolated††.
Menopause and your mental health
Our article explores the link between menopause and mental health, including things like anxiety. Symptoms vary, but can be a real struggle.
Dealing with stress
Menopause itself can be stressful, but then so can trying to get support, and coping at work. Check out our information and advice.
Sleep and mental health
Disrupted sleep can be a real problem in menopause, leaving you even less equipped to cope during the day. We have tips for coping with insomnia.
Relationships and mental health
Tiredness, stress, menopause symptoms and struggling to be understood can all take a toll on your relationships. This article offers helpful suggestions.
If you need support, our Mental Health Hub could help
Our Mental Health Hub offers a wide range of expert information as well as signposting to helpful support.
Listen to our podcast: Menopause and your mental health
It’s really important not to dismiss the mental health aspects of the menopause. Labelling women ‘emotional’ or ‘hormonal’ is unhelpful if they are experiencing genuine psychological signs of the menopause.
"If I’ve struggled with sleep and am not functioning, I can call in and slide my shift if necessary. I can take time out if needed, if mood swings get me – just a quick walk around the building can help."
Julie, Manchester
What are some of the key treatments for the menopause?
With the right support, you should be able to find menopause treatments and self-help tips that ease your symptoms.
Menopause and nutrition
Eating well can help your body and mind to cope with what’s going on during the menopause. Check out our guide to a healthy diet.
Exercise and physiotherapy for the menopause
Here are some natural ways to stay supple, protect yourself in advance, and deal with some of your symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Many women feel HRT offers a new lease of life. It’s important to find a doctor who can give an up to date, balanced view of HRT.
Testosterone treatment for the menopause
Testosterone is an important hormone in women, too. It plays a major role in libido, sexual arousal and orgasm.
The Bupa Menopause Plan
The menopause can be exhausting and stressful enough without stuggling to get the help and support you need.
That’s why we’ve developed our personalised Menopause Plan:
45 minutes to talk to a GP specially trained in the menopause
A shorter appointment 12 weeks later
A personalised action plan
A private prescription, blood test or physical exam if needed
Possible referral to a consultant, physiotherapist or counsellor
Access to our 24/7 Anytime HealthLine for a full year
Common questions about the menopause
A Bupa doctor talks about how to tell if the menopause has begun and how it affects women, and suggests self-care and treatment options.
Want to support a colleague or loved one during the menopause?
Support friends or loved ones
Whether it’s your partner, your mum, your friend or anyone else, our article can help you to support someone who’s going through the menopause.
Support your colleague
Visit our webpage about menopause in the workplace to find out how to support your colleague or employees at work.
Explore more information within our Women s Health Hub
All about the menopause
Find out what happens to your body in the lead-up to the menopause and beyond. Find out about the possible mental and psychological effects, plus treatment and self-help options.
How do you know?
You may be having some symptoms that you can’t really explain. One of our experts talks about how to find out if you’re going through the menopause.
Women’s health support
We offer lots of helpful information and articles about conditions and concerns that can affect women at any stage of life.
‡ NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
†† Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/2017/10/new-survey-highlights-impact-menopause-every-aspect-womens-lives-uk/
Bupa private GP services are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7H
Bupa GP appointments are only available to persons aged 18 years and older.
