How to recognise the menopause

Common psychological and emotional symptoms are irritability, a changed sleeping pattern and mood swings, sometimes leading to an episode of clinical depression. These symptoms may have more to do with other changes in your life - some women mourn the loss of fertility and feel unattractive.

Menopause complications
Reduction in oestrogen levels is one of the causes of osteoporosis, putting women at risk of bone fractures in later life. There are no symptoms in the early stages so you should be aware of things that may increase your risk of developing it and what you can do to prevent bone density loss. These include regular exercise, non-smoking, high calcium and vitamin D diets and taking HRT if you are suitable. Other non-hormonal drugs are available nowadays for osteoporosis prevention, and the condition can be identified by a special X-ray of your hip and back called a DEXA scan.

Vaginal and urinary symptoms
Reduced levels of oestrogen cause thinning of the membrane lining the vagina plus problems with dryness. Similar changes occur in the urethra and you may experience leaking of urine, difficulty in passing urine and needing to empty your bladder more frequently, particularly at night. These problems respond well to HRT taken by mouth or applied locally as a cream.