Menopause is signalled by 12 months since last menstruation.
Common symptoms include hot flashes and vaginal dryness. There may also be sleep disturbances. The combination of these symptoms can cause anxiety or depression.
Menopause is a natural process with treatments that focus on symptomatic relief. Vaginal dryness is treated with topical lubricants or oestrogen. Medications can reduce the severity and frequency of hot flushes. In special circumstances, oral hormone therapy may be used.The menopause is caused by a change in the balance of the body's sex hormones, which occurs as you get older.It happens when your ovaries stop producing as much of the hormone oestrogen and no longer release an egg each month.