Menopause

Menopause is the natural transition from a fertile to a non-fertile state. During the menopause transition years, the body responds to decreasing levels of hormones, and a number of symptoms may appear. Menopause has both early and long term health effects in women.

The early symptoms include hot flushes and sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding patterns, depressive episodes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms which may impact on a woman’s quality of life.

Menopause can also have long term effects on a woman’s health. In the long term, the decreasing levels of hormones in a woman’s body can lead to an increased risk of more serious problems such as heart disease and osteoporosis (weakening of the bones).