Menopause support
Half the population goes through the menopause, and 1 in 10 women will experience
symptoms for up to 12 years†. Yet it’s still a misunderstood, under-supported stage of life.
For many women, the menopause can be challenging and stressful. And it can be hard to find support.
Personal menopause experiences
Every menopause is different, and each one is very personal. Sadly, half of all women say menopause has a negative effect on their life‡.
At Bupa, we want to open up the conversation about menopause. If more people talked about it then life might be a little easier for everyone. For men and for women, at home and at work.
Watch our video to hear four very different menopause stories from Patricia, Sally and Amanda − and Victoria, who was only 34 when diagnosed.
AMANDA: Is it normal?
VICTORIA: Is it normal?
SALLY: Is this normal?
PATRICIA: Is this normal?
AMANDA: I was perimenopausal at age 47 and then I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So, my menopause symptoms have been brought on artificially.
VICTORIA: I was actually told I was in the menopause, and as a 34-year-old lady, that's something very difficult to grasp.
SALLY: It was suspected that I may have multiple sclerosis or a brain tumour, and then was, I believe, misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia. Eventually to get the diagnosis of being in menopause, or perimenopause, was a big weight off.
VICTORIA: So, I'm currently in the perimenopausal state. I can feel very down and very low, I can feel quite depressed, and then the hormone swings can create all sorts of mood swings.
SALLY: My menopause started with some bizarre symptoms. My scalp was really, really sensitive, couldn't touch it.
VICTORIA: The hot flushes is a biggie.
AMANDA: One day you can be very positive about things, and positive about life, and the next day you can be so low, and it's hard to dig yourself out of that.
SALLY: And that's menopause.
VICTORIA: If I could change one thing it would be that people were more educated around menopause, but specifically for younger women.
AMANDA: You learn to adapt and you know, 'Okay, this isn't me being silly, it's just part of the menopause process that I'm going through.'
SALLY: Started exercising a few years ago. I decided that the best way to deal with the bad days was to be stronger physically.
AMANDA: For me that's my way of coping, I need to be open about what I'm going through.
SALLY: It's a bit liberating really to obviously not have to worry about the monthly cycle any more.
VICTORIA: After a few months of being on HRT, I felt like a new woman. I was back to my normal self.
AMANDA: I can't go on HRT for my medical reasons, but I've learnt to cope with the menopause in other ways. I'm hopeful that by sharing my story people will be able to share their stories more or understand about the menopause more.
SALLY: Is it normal to be misdiagnosed?
PATRICIA: To lose your mental health resilience?
VICTORIA: To be diagnosed with early menopause at 34?
AMANDA: To have such intense menopause symptoms after going through cancer treatment?
80%
of women have menopause symptoms that affect their personal and working lives††
51%
of women said the menopause had affected their sex lives‡‡
38%
feel helpless when trying to support their partners through the menopause†††
32%
of menopausal women said they no longer felt like good company‡‡‡
What does menopause feel like?
Perimenopause and menopause bring with them over 30 different physical and psychological symptoms. These can range from annoying little niggles to things that can drag you down, and they can last from a few months to several years.
Symptoms are often misdiagnosed, too: one in five women were unnecessarily referred to more than three specialists before being correctly diagnosed with the menopause.††††
How much do you know about the menopause?
Women's menopause experiences can vary enormously, so it can be hard to tell what's going on. Our menopause quiz will test your knowledge of the signs of menopause and could offer you some answers.
Early and premature menopause
The average age when women start the menopause is 51, but it can happen sooner. If your periods stop between the ages of 40 and 45, it’s called ‘early menopause’. However, below the age of 40 it’s called ‘premature menopause’ or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Early menopause can make it difficult to get a correct diagnosis, and there’s a lack of understanding among some GPs.
What can cause early or premature menopause?
- Genetic disorders
- Chemotherapy or radiation for a range of cancers
- Surgical removal of the ovaries
- Auto-immune diseases
- Infection
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Lifestyle factors like diet and smoking
- The ovaries simply stop working sooner
Common questions about 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.
The Bupa Menopause Plan
Need to find out whether you’re going through the menopause? Want to talk to a doctor who understands?
That’s why we’ve developed our personalised Menopause Plan:
45 minutes to talk to a doctor who has been trained in the menopause A shorter follow-up appointment 12 weeks later An action plan designed around your personal needs If required, a private prescription, blood test or physical examination Possible referral to a consultant, physiotherapist or counsellor Access to our 24/7 Anytime HealthLine for a full yearWe want to be here for everyone, so you can:
- Access expert advice and support in our Women’s Health Hub
- You can purchase our Bupa Health Clinics Menopause Plan. This offers two virtual appointments and a Personal Care Plan from a doctor who has received training in the menopause.
Your Bupa health insurance includes the following benefits:
- Access to expert advice and support in our Women’s Health Hub
- Mental health support for any symptoms related to the menopause.
- You can reach our Bupa Anytime Healthline to speak to a menopause-trained nurse, 24/7.
- You can make an appointment with your registered GP or a Bupa Digital GP to talk about your symptoms.
- You can purchase our Bupa Health Clinics Menopause Plan. This offers two virtual appointments and a Personal Care Plan from a doctor who has received training in the menopause.
HRT can be obtained through your NHS GP. Our health insurance does not cover outpatient drugs, other than those used as part of cancer treatment, so HRT would not be covered by your policy. However, there’s lots of support which Bupa can offer you including; expert advice and support in our Women’s Health Hub and the opportunity to purchase our Bupa Health Clinics Menopause Plan. We’ll also provide support for any eligible mental health issues symptoms related to the menopause and you can speak to a menopause-trained nurse through our Bupa Anytime Healthline or a GP through Bupa Digital GP.
Our health insurance is designed to cover treatment delivered under the care of a consultant or care delivered by a therapist. GP delivered care is not covered by the policy. However, there’s lots of support which Bupa can offer you including; expert advice and support in our Women’s Health Hub and the opportunity to purchase our Bupa Health Clinics Menopause Plan. We’ll also provide support for any eligible mental health issues symptoms related to the menopause and you can speak to a menopause-trained nurse through our Bupa Anytime Healthline or a GP through Bupa Digital GP.
Menopause support and information from Bupa’s experts
Here’s just a small selection from our Health Information and Healthy Me pages.
Can your diet affect your menopause symptoms?
Find out whether what you eat could make you feel better, or even improve your long-term outcome.
Six ways to stay healthy after the menopause
One of our doctors offers her expert advice when it comes to staying active, strong bones, weight gain, sex, sleep and positivity.
Premature menopause: one woman’s story
Two operations, years apart, caused Caroline to begin the menopause at 35, and then to be plunged into it fully 10 years later.
Personal experiences of working through menopause
Find out what menopause symptoms Julie and Sally struggled with, and what helped them to cope better, mentally and physically.
How can you support someone going through the menopause?
Support those close to you
Women going through the menopause may need lots of understanding, encouragement and support. Our tips could help you support a partner, family member or friend.
Support colleagues at work
59% of women struggle to cope with the menopause at work‡‡‡‡. We offer practical guides for employees who are experiencing the menopause and for their managers, too.
Other websites offering menopause support
When it comes to the menopause, there are so many questions − and everyone’s experience is different. So we’ve gone looking for some helpful websites.
My Menopause Doctor
Dr Louise Newson is a nationally recognised menopause expert who is keen to raise awareness.
Menopause Matters
An independent website offering information and treatment options. There are forums, too.
Manage my Menopause
You can fill in a questionnaire and generate online advice from menopause professionals.
The Daisy Network
A website for women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), who experience premature menopause.
Menopause Support
Information and support led by a therapist with nurse training in menopause.
Quick links to more information in our Women's Health Hub
How does menopause make you feel?
An overview of the main physical and mental health symptoms which are commonly experienced with menopause, plus key treatments.
Menopause in the workplace
Practical support for anyone in the workplace to either cope with menopause or be supportive − whether you’re an employee, a colleague or a manager.
Women's health support
Our experts’ explanations and tips for a range of women’s health concerns, including both physical and mental health
† NHS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/symptoms/
‡ British Menopause Society
https://thebms.org.uk/2017/10/world-menopause-day-2
†† 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/
††† Women’s Health Concern
https://www.womens-health-concern.org/2017/10/new-survey-highlights-impact-menopause-every-aspect-womens-lives-uk/
‡‡‡ Women’s Health Concern
https://www.womens-health-concern.org/2017/10/new-survey-highlights-impact-menopause-every-aspect-womens-lives-uk/
†††† News on Health
https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/news/millions-of-nhs-money-wasted-with-delays-in-diagnosing-the-menopause
‡‡‡‡ Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
https://www.cipd.co.uk/news-views/news-articles/manifesto-menopause-work
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.
