As a clinician, I see too many people in my clinics shrugging off the menopause and shying away from discussing its symptoms which are often considered taboo.
People apologise for bringing up the menopause, they laugh it off or tell me they thought they were “just coping badly”. That awkwardness is part of the problem. Menopause is a normal stage of life, yet it’s still wrapped in embarrassment, misunderstanding and outdated ideas, which can stop people getting the help they deserve.
Menopause simply means that a woman’s periods have stopped, because their ovaries are producing much less oestrogen. The average age for menopause in the UK is around 51, but symptoms often start years during a stage known as the perimenopause. Perimenopause can begin in your 40s, and sometimes even earlier. Menopause can also affect people under 40 or suddenly after surgery or cancer treatment. It’s not “too early”, and it’s not unusual – even though many people are told it is.
The taboo really shows up when we talk about symptoms. Hot flushes and night sweats are widely known, but menopause is much more than that. Poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, irritability, brain fog, joint pain and changes in confidence are incredibly common. Vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and bladder problems are also very common, but these are the symptoms people are least likely to mention, often because they feel embarrassed or worry they won’t be taken seriously.
Menopause symptoms can affect your work, relationships, and self-esteem, yet many people feel they should “just get on with it” and suffer in silence. Menopause is sometimes dismissed as a normal part of ageing that, like periods, women just have to “deal with”, but it is so much more than that and can have a real impact on health and wellbeing.
It’s important to know that you are not alone, and the NHS can offer support. It usually starts with a conversation with your GP. In most cases, we diagnose menopause based on your symptoms, not blood tests, and treatment is tailored to the individual. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) replaces the hormones your body is lacking and is the most effective treatment for many symptoms. It’s safer and better understood than it was years ago. But for those who can’t or don’t want to use HRT, there are non-hormonal treatments and supportive options that can still help – and these can be discussed with your GP.
Breaking the menopause taboo starts with talking – in clinics, at home, among friends and at work. Menopause isn’t a weakness, or something to be brushed aside because of outdated misconceptions, and with open conversations and the right NHS support, people can feel informed, supported and confident navigating menopause and the changes it brings.
