What Happens?
The menopause occurs when the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone begin to decrease.
70-80% of women will experience some emotional and physical menopause symptoms to varying degrees.
 
The ‘menopause’ is actually a date and is defined as the day after the final period finishes. It is fixed retrospectively once 12 months have gone by with no menstrual flow. The time before the menopause is called the perimenopause and this is when a woman may experience menopause symptoms due to the fluctuating hormones.
 
In the West the average age of menopause is 51. Most women start the perimenopause between the ages of 45–55 although it can occur as early as 35 or as late as 60.
 
Menopausal Side Effects
Menopause symptoms can be physical, sexual or psychological 

Physical menopause symptoms

• Irregular menstruation
• Hot flushes
• Palpitations
• Headaches
• Aches and pains
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems

Sexual menopause symptoms

• Dry vagina
• Loss of libido

Psychological menopause symptoms

• Anxiety
• Irritability / mood swings
• Concentration / memory problems
• Sadness

Psychological complaints may be directly related to hormonal fluctuations. These, however, can be compounded by stressful situations that tend to happen at this time in a woman’s life, such as society’s negative perceptions of aging, retirement and children leaving home.
 
For more detailed information on menopause