Menopause

The menopause is the time when periods stop. It is defined as occurring 12 months after the last menstrual period and usually happens between the ages of 45-55.The period leading up to the menopause is called the perimenopause, this is usually what women mean what they talk about ‘going through’ the menopause.

Right now, there are more than 13 million peri- or post-menopausal women in the UK. That’s around 25% of the population, so whether you are in that particular category or not, you will be interacting with women within in that category on a daily basis. That’s why I think it’s imperative that all of us have a deeper understanding of what exactly is going on for women at this stage of life.

Ruth Devlin set up Let’s Talk Menopause to help raise awareness and to provide accurate information on the menopause. She is passionate about providing women and employers with evidence-based information and support, helping women to make informed decisions about how to manage their menopause and so improve their quality of life.

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.