Help! I think I’m in (peri)menopause →

The average age for menopause—defined as 12 months without a period—is around 51. Most women notice symptoms such as hot flushes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances years beforehand during perimenopause, some 4 - 7 years before that. Midlife brings extra pressures like teenagers, elderly parents needing care, and initial health concerns, so perimenopause often slips by unnoticed.​

No definitive test exists for perimenopause at present, as hormone levels fluctuate wildly during this phase. Speak to your gynaecologist if you suspect it.​

Tracking your symptoms can make a difference. This short online tool draws on the Greene Climacteric Scale, a recognised measure for looking at psychological, physical, and ‘feeling hot’ symptoms to suggest where you stand. It offers a useful overview rather than a diagnosis, so follow up with your gynaecologist for tailored guidance.​