Female menopause:
The following text is taken from an extract of the book, ‘Fit For Farming – Women’s Health Made Easy’:
- “The menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop releasing an egg each month. Periods stop and she is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. But as levels of the hormone oestrogen decline, menopausal symptoms can begin many years before the actual menopause (and continue for around four years afterwards). The average age for a woman in the UK to reach menopause is 51 but about 1% of woman will have it before the age of 40.
- Common symptoms include: hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, trouble sleeping, lower mood, anxiety, lower sex drive and poorer memory and concentration.
- A GP can confirm the menopause with a blood test and advise you on treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and lifestyle changes around diet and exercise. Don’t underestimate the impact of the menopause on yourself and your relationships. Find out about it, the pros and cons of HRT and get the support you need.”
You can read the full booklet here or order a copy of the booklet by emailing help@fcn.org.uk.
Male menopause
Men can often go through a similar hormonal as women do with the menopause in their 40s. As many as 30% of men can expect some sort of physical change to their bodies when they reach this age.
Click here to visit Optimale and to better understand male menopause conditions and their effects on men’s mental health.