M E N O PAU S E
THE CHA
We go through many changes in life, both good and bad. The menopause, often referred to as ‘The Change’, has mixed reviews (if we’re being honest). But the best way to face any change is with a bit of preparation. So here’s some information to help you prepare for whatever kind of change the menopause is planning on throwing at you! To understand the menopause, it helps to know about the internal reproductive organs of women, girls and people who were assigned female at birth. If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, have a look at the diagram back on page 44. Now you know what these organs are, and where they are in the body, let’s have a closer look at what they do! The ovaries produce the hormone oestrogen. This is important, as oestrogen controls the regular monthly cycle of changes within the reproductive organs, as they prepare for a possible pregnancy, and if that doesn’t happen, then experience a period.
Still with us? Great! So as we get older, our ovaries gradually stop producing as much oestrogen, and this change in the balance of the body’s hormone levels is what causes the menopause. Once you’ve experienced the menopause, you’ll stop having periods and your ovaries won’t release an egg each month, so you won’t be able to get pregnant naturally. So when can you expect these changes to happen to you? Well, most people usually start going through the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years old, and the average age in the UK is 51 years old. However, around 1 in every 100 women experience the menopause before they reach 40 years old, and this is called premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency. Premature menopause can be caused by surgery, cancer treatments, or an underlying heath condition, but for some people the cause is unknown. Most people will know when they’re
“Every person’s experience of the menopause is unique.”
64 H E A LT H Y F O U N DAT I O N S
